War on drugs is a war on people, stressed abused people.

[azul]

DR. GABOR MATÉ: Well, the first point to get there is that if people who become severe addicts, as shown by all the studies, were for the most part abused children, then we realize that the war on drugs is actually waged against people that were abused from the moment they were born, or from an early age on. In other words, we’re punishing people for having been abused. That’s the first point.

The second point is, is that the research clearly shows that the biggest driver of addictive relapse and addictive behavior is actually stress. In North America right now, because of the economic crisis, a lot of people are eating junk food, because junk foods release endorphins and dopamine in the brain. So that stress drives addiction.

Now imagine a situation where we’re trying to figure out how to help addicts. Would we come up with a system that stresses them to the max? Who would design a system that ostracizes, marginalizes, impoverishes and ensures the disease of the addict, and hope, through that system, to rehabilitate large numbers? It can’t be done. In other words, the so-called “war on drugs,” which, as the new drug czar points out, is a war on people, actually entrenches addiction deeply. Furthermore, it institutionalizes people in facilities where the care is very—there’s no care. We call it a “correctional” system, but it doesn’t correct anything. It’s a punitive system. So people suffer more, and then they come out, and of course they’re more entrenched in their addiction than they were when they went in.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/24/dr_gabor_mat_on_the_stress

"we're punishing people for having been abused."

[maryf]

1. K&R nt

[dkf]

2. People like Lindsey Lohan? Or Paris Hilton?

[meow mix]

4. handpick your examples much?

fail.

[dkf]

5. Hey I'm sure they are stressed right?

Maybe they are gaining weight or they haven't been invited to the "in" parties.

So tell me who isn't stressed?

[Tsiyu]

8. it's always nice to have compassionate, deep thinkers on DU n/t

:think:

[tridim]

3. Most child molesters were abused too.

I'm not equating the two crimes and certainly not excusing molestation, but it's important to be careful how ideas and solutions are framed re: ending the drug war.

The Libertarian view on the drug war is much cleaner IMO.. We're punishing people for exercising their personal freedom.

[felix_numinous]

6. Cannabis provides a cheap way to self medicate

and reach a state of peace and enjoyment, something used by humans for thousands of years. We have evolved cannabinoid receptors in our brains from our relationship with this companion plant.

The Department of War and Insecurity only wants drinks and drugs that agitate and suppress creative thought.

Pot just gets in the way of their programming!! We can't have that.

[Rageneau]

7. Cannabis is the "dog" of plants.

Man's best friend.

[felix_numinous]

9. And women too

good for cramps and headache...:)
we need sane laws.

[Hannah Bell]

10. they pay the PTB for the drugs, they pay them for the rehab. it's a circle jerk & the rich make $$

on both ends.