Question

Let's think about drug addiction and how American society treats individuals that have addiction problems. When someone is labeled a drug addict, they're identified by their problem and not as an individual. I thought this video provides an interesting alternative to our current policies.  

Drug related arrests are also disproportionate if we examine factors such as race and income level. The speaker discusses the "war on drugs" and how it has not been very effective in combating drug addiction and drug use.  

1. Do you think the war on drugs has been effective?

2. The speaker discusses two experiments on mice, one on solitude and one in "rat park". How are the results different in each experiment? How can we apply these two circumstances to human life?

3. What do you think are better solutions to reducing the rates of drug addiction.  

4. What programs can help individuals recovering from drug addiction reconnect with society?

Answer 1

War on Drugs is a goverment led initative that aim to stop illegal drug trade in united states. This campain include a set of drug policies that aims to discourage the production, distribution and consumption of psycho active drugs. This is implemented by increasing the imprisonment sentences for both drug dealers and users. In June 1971 President Richard Nixon officially declared "War On Drugs" publically stating drug abuse is 'public enemy number one'. This act was implemented as a part of 'Comprehensive drug abuse prevention and control act 1970' .

1. Critics has viewed the War on Drugs as a failure campain. They put forwards many reason to establish their facts

Nixon made drug polices  in temperence view and addiction point of view. He funded a huge amount of money for the treatment programmes. Later on, he himself was convinced that 'as long as there is demand there are people to meet the risk of demand'. This shows that his efforts were a failure.

Nixon spend huge amount of money to stop the marijuana trade between Mexico and U.S. He was successful in that. But columbia was replaced as U.S Marijuana supplier.

Some criticis states that the focus was more on arresting the drug dealers, not on treating the addictives. This has made half a million people as prisoners.

This law has enriched certain criminal enforcements. There are certain lobby works behind drug dealers. when one dealer is arrested they are replaced by another one.

Huge amount of dollar are funded each year inspite of money inflattion.

The number of Drug addicts  are still not reducing.

Some critics also states that Nixon's Campain has two enimeis - one Anti War people and black people. They points the racism in his campain.

2.

The Rat Prank experiment proves that, when rats where caged and alone suffered from drug addiction, and when they are lived in rat pranked had little interst in being addicted. This experiment shows lonliness is the root of addiction. People get addicted when they are lonely, sad and when they have no purpose in life. they get addicted because it gives a sense of 'feeling better'. Humans are social being and being social is inherit. due to social circumstances and mental illhealth, people can withdraw from society and can be lonely. This can be a root cause for addiction. When they are surrounded by people, they can be deviated from being addicted. Interacting with people can change life directions, goals, motives and acheivements. This can add new colours to an addicted life.

3.

Reducing rate of Drug addiction:

The sign of addiction is a symptom of deeper sikness inthe way we live, directing our gaze to next shining object than humans around us

Imprisonment is not a solution for Drug addiction. Instead of imprisonment rehabilitation should be given. imprisonment only gives prohibition to drug use. They can be drug addict due to lonliness and social circumstantances.

one of the method to reduce the drug addiction is to reconnect them . This can be done by connecting them with humans, connecting them with their own feeling and wider society.

The most crucial step is to build security feel in oneself. This is done by getting them secuire housing, jobs and setting goals in life. This helps to connect ourselves.

Human beings are bonding animals. The need to be loved and cared is more. Get Out tof the culture of creating self bountaries that cuts off from connections.

4.

There are several programmes to helps individuals recovering from drug addiction .

First of all, is the detoxification programme, Where body get rid of the toxic influence of the drugs. This allows a stable starting point where tratment can begin more effectively. The patient has to undergo various therapy which addresses and heal attitude, thought behaviour,emotions.

Inpatient recovery programs are residential recovery programs . these programme offers intensive and immensive treatments for deaddiction. This gives safe supportive environment needed for long term abstinance. Length of treatment depends on severity of addiction. Such Treatment has Medical supervision, psychatric evaluation,individual group and family therapy,support meeting attendance, relapse preventing education.

Out patient recovery programmes.

Group counselling is the major component. Out patient behavioural therapy include cognitive behavioural therapy,Multi dimentional family therapy,motivational interviewing, motivational incentives which halps to encourage abstinance from drugs.

Support Groups

there are two types of support groups. 12-stepped support groups and non 12 stepped support groups. They Share recovery wisdom with their peers.