When did the world become so cold that the sight of men and women dying on the streets of America from poison administered through a needle was not a call to action, but an opportunity to look away? A chance to pretend that those consumed by addiction are less than human.
Addiction has been a persistent issue in the US, with millions suffering from it. Unfortunately, dealing with addiction as a society has not always been very productive. In many cases, driving addicts underground and the criminalization of addiction has perpetuated rather than resolved the problem. Although approaches to addiction have become more nuanced over the years, the stigma surrounding addiction remains strong.
The dehumanization of addicts is an under-discussed yet essential factor in this problem. In viewing addicts as deviant and dangerous, we strip them of their humanity and force them into a corner. This dehumanization is evident in the language we use to discuss addiction and addicts, making it an insidious issue.
Progressive policies have attempted to remove the criminalization of stigma that comes with drug addiction, but are the policies making anything better or is it compounding an already bad situation into an easy road to rock bottom?
With that said, there is a lot about drug use and our reaction as a society that plays a role in the continued abuse of illegal substances and the crime that undoubtedly follows. To date, there is no real magic plan that will be the cure for the drug epidemic, and more importantly, a cure for addiction. There is no magic pill to cure homelessness or to tackle the mental health epidemic that has its greedy little hands in just about every destructive behavior known to man, and yet, billions are spent with little to no real solutions.
What if I told you that the answer to all of it was simple? It begins with compassion.
Is it possible to even imagine a society that is free of drugs? Even if it seems like an impossible dream, it's worth thinking about how our communities could be improved without the burden of drug-related crimes and homelessness. Sometimes we become so accustomed to the current drug-oriented environment that we forget to envision anything differently. Let's take a moment and imagine a world where this is possible, not just in our community but across the nation. Chances are, you are picturing a utopian dream come true.
Addiction in America is often stigmatized and criminalized, with addicts being viewed as criminals rather than individuals struggling with a disease. This stigma can have negative effects on individuals, making them feel ashamed and unworthy of help.
It can also act as a barrier to recovery, with individuals feeling unable to seek treatment because of the negative judgment they may experience. Moreover, addiction is often criminalized rather than treated as a medical issue. And some just continue to make the choice to remain addicted and on the streets. No two addicts' stories are the same.
This approach has led to a vicious cycle of incarceration and recidivism and has failed to address the underlying issues that contribute to addiction. Dealing with addiction as a criminal justice problem is a double-edged sword. While in the short term, a person is forced into sobriety and one less person is off the streets engaging in high-risk behaviors that are a beacon for crimes that can carry deadly consequences, even to innocent bystanders.
In the long term, incarceration can exacerbate the mental and behavioral problems that lead to addiction, as well as create social and financial issues for the individual and their family. The criminalization of addiction can also worsen the stigma that surrounds addiction, making it even more difficult for individuals to receive the help they need.
It is important to realize that addiction is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted solution, including addressing the social factors that contribute to addiction, providing access to affordable and effective treatment programs, and shifting the focus from punishment to recovery.
Many people tend to think of addiction as an abstract concept. The reality is that substance abuse is causing fatalities on a daily basis, and ruining numerous lives. However, it is challenging to comprehend the severity of the issue until it happens to someone we know personally. Consequently, we tend to continue with our daily lives, ignoring the unfortunate news. It is crucial to note the impact of substance abuse and addiction on our society.
For example, approximately $250 billion is spent on substance abuse and related issues in the national healthcare bill. Lost productivity, crime, and healthcare expenses cost about $740 billion. About 80% of inmates in jail committed crimes while under the influence of drugs or to purchase them. More than 90% of homeless people are dependent on alcohol, while approximately 60% abuse drugs. Furthermore, around 50% of college students binge drink or use drugs, and 70% of abused or neglected children live with parents who abuse drugs or alcohol. Finally, people who abuse drugs or alcohol are responsible for most property crimes.
These numbers might be hard to understand initially, but what's even more concerning is that they are growing with each passing day. Just think of these figures as individuals, who are somebody's close ones, and many of them did not intend to become addicted.
A January 2023 analysis conducted by Security.org, found that almost 600 thousand Americans are homeless on any given night.
Around 16 to 20 million people are addicted to alcohol, over 61 million use cigarettes, nearly 600,000 take crack cocaine, and over 1 million use hallucinogens or ecstasy. Moreover, there are around 15 million marijuana smokers, 15 million prescription drug abusers, over 2.4 million cocaine users, and possibly thousands of people addicted to heroin. Over 750,000 use methamphetamine, and in 2020, fatal overdoses crossed 70,000. It is quite concerning that these numbers are increasing at such a staggering rate.
When we talk about drug use in our communities, homelessness, and even crime, we are all too quick to make the story all about the addict or the criminal. We fail to address society's role in the treatment of their fellow human beings.
From an early age, we are taught that “Good girls and boys didn’t drink or do drugs.”
We were told that if we simply behaved, we never had to deal with the ugly problems of addiction. Poof, it was just that easy. Many people still believe that concept to be true.
Therefore, all those who are seriously addicted to anything can not be a good person. Full stop. They are people to be afraid of and it makes me wonder, how many addicts know that they are in trouble, but are only compounded by the shame of being one of those bad people?
Addiction treatment in America is plagued by inadequate funding for program development and implementation, which in turn has a significant impact on accessibility.
The absence of access to basic healthcare also poses an issue for those grappling with addiction. The ongoing opioid epidemic in America is a public health crisis, and its impact on addiction treatment is significant.
Options are scarce, and those who require them often face stigma and financial barriers, resulting in a lack of treatment options. It is crucial to invest in addiction treatment programs and expand healthcare coverage to ensure accessibility for those who need it. Addressing the elephant in the room - the lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, is critical.