Life is a series of cause and effect, consequences and rewards, butterfly effects in every single thing we do. Every action has a reaction, and karma always has her own way. At least that's what I believe.
If you ask me, drugs in America are their own huge entity, dealing with them, regulating them, reprimanding those who partake in them, so on and so fourth. It baffles me that we are spending valuable time, resources and taxpayer dollars apprehending those who chose to partake in recreational drugs. The cops are worn thin, courthouses are beyond booked out and the jails are overflowing. 1.16 MILLION Americans are arrested each year for drug related offenses. That number isn't even comprehensible to the average person. According to drugabusestatistics.org,
47,380 Americans are arrested annually for the sale and manufacture of heroin, cocaine, and derivative products.
227,655 Americans are arrested annually for the possession of heroin, cocaine, and derivative products.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that 85% of the prison population is arrested on drug related charges, or are actively addicted to substances at the time of their arrest. This number is absolutely mind blowing to me. And it could all be so much different.
Our legal authorities could be allocated to violent crimes and emergencies - protecting and serving their communities. From personal experience, both my own and by loving those affected by drugs and addiction, laws won't stop an addict. Furthermore, often tines, drugs are even more accessible behind bars than on the street. If a person, on their own recognizance chooses to partake in recreational drug use, that choice is their's alone, as should be the natural consequences. Inevitably yes, overdoses will occur, but in a decriminalized society, more focus can be placed on getting safe, and education based help to addicts both during and after their struggles with drugs. In my opinion, like occurred with the decriminalization of Marijuana, the decriminalization of illicit substances will change so many things in our society.
Now obviously there is a difference between decriminalization and legalization. Likewise I do not by any means condone the consumption of drugs, but I do understand that it is not my business, nor my responsibility to control what others choose to do. If you are stopped with an amount appropriate for "personal consumption" that is your own business, unless you are illegally and irresponsibly operating a motor vehicle, or acting inappropriate whilst under the influence, a sober person in possession of drugs should be let go with a warning unless another crime has been committed. The use of drugs on a recreational basis should be treated as a privilege, one that can be taken dependent on how you choose to carry yourself. Mandatory drug testing should be increased at job sites, especially those with safety factors or public access. If you are choosing to spend your own money on food, clothes, toys, or drugs that should be no one else's business so be it that you are doing so responsibly and abiding by all other laws. Addicts are well aware of the risks associated with the consumption of drugs, a law isn't going to change that.
So where does reinforcement come into place? I believe the battle on drugs comes from the source. Of course there is Big Pharma, and crooked doctors/pharmacists etc providing prescription drugs, this is a whole separate topic that needs to be deeper evaluated. On the front line though, the sellers and distributors of these illegal drugs are who need to be maintained. The possession and sale, or intent to sell drugs is the crime in my mind. When you are found in possession of drugs in quantities larger than personal consumption, and prepped to distribute to others, this is where strong persecution needs to occur. I've seen it so many times, someone is arrested for the sale of drugs and released right away, with low bond and typically no jail sentence; this is not okay. Those arrested with these crimes, who are furthermore actively involved in the raising of a child need their rights and abilities as a parent evaluated. Rehab facilities need to focus their attention on rehabilitation more than monetization and profit. MAT (Medication assisted treatment) needs to be more accessible, and regulated. The society as a whole needs to be better educated not only on the dangers of drugs, but the struggle addicts face, the recovery process and how to connect with those who may be struggling. Doctors, therapists, psychiatrists and the like need to be further trained on how to help prevent addictions before they occur, and how to help those who have fallen into addiction.
More often than not, addicts aren't necessarily "proud" to be addicts, it went from being fun or an escape to literally needing the drug to survive the next day while walking the fine line risking their next dose being their last. Their actions, often times stem from desperation, relying on their dealers to be their doctors or pharmacist in their sickest times. Many addicts have tried to get help and are turned away, there are no beds and the facilites with open bed are over crowded, under staffed and unsanitary. The conditions in many rehabs are very hostile and dirty, the focus is not on helping people avoid a relapse and recover to their best self, it is to get a quick turnover to get the next head through the door. If addicts knew there was more help available to them, they will likely be more likely to seek help. Instead, the desperation grows, laws become broken, people are on the run from the law and turn to more or stronger drugs to escape the reality they are facing.
Again, there is a big difference between decriminalization and legalization, This does not mean any random Joe Schmo can open a pop-up dope shop or crack shack for commercial sale. It means our authorities can allocate their time better responding to true emergencies. They can crack down on the distributors, they can help those in need get help. Our jails will be more equipped to house those guilty of major crimes, and serve proper sentences.
As crass as it sounds, if you choose to partake in recreational drugs, especially those of which are addictive, that is your own prerogative. The consequences, guilt, remorse, loss of relationships, finances and more, potentially death, are yours to face. The government is so quick to try and regulate what people can do with their own bodies. It is not our business until it affects us directly, until a crime is committed, until a wrongdoing has occurred. But if Old Man Sam gets pulled over while sober trying to go home to his empty house and his dog on a Friday night and snort a line, in the confides of his own home that should be his own business to do so if he is not in violation of any other laws.
I'm not sure whether I am getting my point across here. I am very curious to hear other people's opinions on this topic as well. The one thing I am sure of is that I am just a little out of touch and a little out of line.
If you are struggling with addiction or know someone who is please seek help. Reach out to me and I will do everything I can to help you. Be a kind human - it just may save a life.
Until the last sun sets, until the last moon rises ...
xx, Laur