Try the political quiz
@9S52LGB2yrs ago

One topic that gets discussed a lot is what we should do about epidemic-level overdose rates in our country and the two main arguments that I see are either, "implement harsher punishments for drug dealers and users" or "decriminalize drugs, Norway did it and their addiction rates went down!" The problem with these two arguments is that neither one addresses the foundational problem of addiction and solely responds to the symptoms. Welfare programs in our country should be much, much more focused on treating the underlying problems that lead to addiction and prevent individuals from developing substance abuse issues to begin with. Mental health, physical health, education, career education and assistance, adequate and affordable housing are all things that focus on the things people need in order to be successful and if we develop a system that encourages success in the first place, the fatal demand for these drugs will go down. Funding all of those things in addition to treatment services, providing sufficient support to lower the barriers to recovery that are currently more damaging than helpful, and focusing on the people that are broken by systemic oppression and a lack of access to healthcare would all benefit from the funding of welfare programs.

+
Expand

No replies yet…

Be the first to reply to this answer.

About this author

Learn more about the author that submitted this answer.

@9S52LGB

Last activeActivity13 discussionsInfluence1 engagementsEngagement bias100%Audience bias0%Active in
Answers  7 Opposition polling  3 Criminal Issues  1 Drug Policy  1 Domestic Policy  1
PartyUndeclaredLocationUnknown

More conversations

Join in on more popular conversations.

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

▲  1614 replies