I totally agree with your above comment that less dangerous drugs should be legal, and that addicts aren't criminalized. Holland, for example, created facilities called "safe injection sites" that provide addicts with heroin, cocaine and their derivatives, in safe doses, as well as sterile needles, alcohol wipes and so on. Now everything is different and not criminalizing addicts not only got many people off the street, it lowered the death toll from overdose and other factors, the risk of HIV, hepatitis-C, and had many other effects that are beneficial to society as a whole.
I've read many horrifying articles on Krokodil, and it really is unthinkably horrible. But part of me also understands that when an addict can't afford, or access, heroin, he'll be apt to use it. Especially if life just isn't worth living anymore in his eyes because everything revolves around getting the next fix. Addictions have been around for as long as humanity has been around, and always will be. These people need help though, and if they're gonna use, they're gonna use. At least give them as much safety as possible, I say, and keep them from succumbing to shit like Krokodil. And don't throw them behind bars for a "crime" that isn't one. Most hard drug users I've met want desperately to be able to quit and dream of having a normal life; they didn't ask for this, just slipped into it, and as a former addict of a couple drugs and alcohol, I know how easy that is. You're in over your head before you realize it, and it seldom ends well.
Sorry for the sermon...it's just a topic I feel strongly about.
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Date: 2013-12-13 06:59 pm (UTC)I've read many horrifying articles on Krokodil, and it really is unthinkably horrible. But part of me also understands that when an addict can't afford, or access, heroin, he'll be apt to use it. Especially if life just isn't worth living anymore in his eyes because everything revolves around getting the next fix. Addictions have been around for as long as humanity has been around, and always will be. These people need help though, and if they're gonna use, they're gonna use. At least give them as much safety as possible, I say, and keep them from succumbing to shit like Krokodil. And don't throw them behind bars for a "crime" that isn't one. Most hard drug users I've met want desperately to be able to quit and dream of having a normal life; they didn't ask for this, just slipped into it, and as a former addict of a couple drugs and alcohol, I know how easy that is. You're in over your head before you realize it, and it seldom ends well.
Sorry for the sermon...it's just a topic I feel strongly about.