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Humanizing Addiction
_Interview - Policy Position_
We interviewed a political student leader to discuss the governmental, policy-based perspective on drugs and drug use. This individual studies Political Science, and is committed to political and social activism.
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Q: What is your party affiliation? What led you to that alignment?
A: I vote for Democrats, but I consider myself a democratic socialist. I was raised by someone very progressive and grew up on a college campus, so a large part of my politics stem from my upbringing. I've also watched and read the news from a young age, and as I've gotten older, read a lot about politics. I've always had a strong sense of justice, and have felt the need to support those that stand up for the vulnerable. I feel that Democrats, and especially those further left than Democrats, hold those values close to their heart, so I've been inclined to support them.
Q: What is your stance towards the possible decriminalization of drugs?
Why so?
A: Drugs should absolutely be decriminalized. Those that abuse drugs are not criminals; they are individuals that need help. Our criminal justice system is not rehabilitative in nature, and it profits off of individuals in their most vulnerable states in life. I am sensitive to those in this position because I have had family members lose their lives or way of life to various forms of addiction, and I can easily humanize those who are struggling. Because of my experiences, I know that the last thing that those addicted to drugs need is police intervention; what they need is help.
Q: In the best interests of all Americans, how do you think the government
can best legislate drugs?
A: Of course, drugs should not be legal; they should be decriminalized. Those addicted to more dangerous forms of drugs must be treated as individuals that need serious mental healthcare rather than as criminals. Instead of investing more money into police forces to combat drug use, that money must be re-allocated to social programs and intensive mental healthcare for those suffering from addiction.
Q: How do you think American drug policy - past to present - has advanced or delayed equity? Why do you think Americans, or the American government, took such an approach to drug policy?
A: American drug policy is rooted in racism. Drugs became associated with minority groups, like Mexican and Chinese individuals, and therefore, the war on drugs was used as a way to deliberately target and harm these groups. American drug policy has undoubtedly delayed equity because its leaders wanted to reinforce society's power structure and keep wealthy white people at the top of the food chain in society.
Q: Finally [if not already addressed], do you think that drug use is better addressed as a criminal topic or a medical one? Why so?
A: I have already partially addressed this, but drug use is best understood as a medical issue. Criminalizing drug abuse dehumanizes people and strips them of their dignity, which disarms them from combatting the underlying issues that caused them to turn to drugs in the first place. We need solutions that will solve the internal conflict that drug users face rather than sending them to a prison, which will not rehabilitate them in any way.
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