Discussions

With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.  
 
I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.  
 
The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?  
 
It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country.

Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. "

I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services.

You probably haven't heard much in the news yet because police just put out the media release late Monday afternoon. Plus police usually don't do media releases on drug overdoses.  
 
Seems to me that Brandon has a meth problem. Seems almost every day someone here in Brandon is getting arrested for having meth on them, sometimes more than one person.  
 
Edited by The_Young_Man, 2017-10-24 08:00:03

overdosing are the ones NOT doing drugs! The ones that are doing drugs? They don't give a flying... Their choice!

MrDobalina said "    Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. " I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services. "

you say that drug users (those overdosing) have all been through untreated mental trauma...they were molested or beaten or otherwise abused....  
this is not factual information and it a stereotype.  
 
The reality of substance abusers is that the majority are just like everyone else. They are parents, children, friends, workmates, sisters and brothers. They hold down jobs, have friends, go to social functions and enjoy their weekends. Some fail to manage their addiction and do become entrenched in a lifestyle that the stereotypes embody, but many do not. An addiction does not discriminate between rich and poor, young or old.

People need to realize that there are consequences for the choices they make. If you have unprotected sex you run the risk of getting pregnant, if you drive drunk you run the risk of killing someone, yourself or winding up in jail, if you choose to use drugs you run the risk of dying from an overdose. Its time to stop allowing individuals the opportunity to use their addiction as an excuse for their behavior. We all have problems, but the majority of us do not use alchol or drugs to escape from dealing with same. I believe people are entitled to rehab if they so choose, however, if they choose to continue with their drug addiction then they need to be responsible for their behavior and accept the consequences, whether it be jail or death due to an overdose.

Oryx said "    MrDobalina said "    Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. " I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services. " you say that drug users (those overdosing) have all been through untreated mental trauma...they were molested or beaten or otherwise abused....   this is not factual information and it a stereotype.     The reality of substance abusers is that the majority are just like everyone else. They are parents, children, friends, workmates, sisters and brothers. They hold down jobs, have friends, go to social functions and enjoy their weekends. Some fail to manage their addiction and do become entrenched in a lifestyle that the stereotypes embody, but many do not. An addiction does not discriminate between rich and poor, young or old. "

If you think the majority of drug addicts are normal people like you and me...that haven't experienced some kind of trauma...we'll just have to disagree.  
 
I haven't met many drug addicts who don't have a soul crushing story, if you can get them to tell it.

MrDobalina said "    Oryx said "    MrDobalina said "    Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. " I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services. " you say that drug users (those overdosing) have all been through untreated mental trauma...they were molested or beaten or otherwise abused....   this is not factual information and it a stereotype.     The reality of substance abusers is that the majority are just like everyone else. They are parents, children, friends, workmates, sisters and brothers. They hold down jobs, have friends, go to social functions and enjoy their weekends. Some fail to manage their addiction and do become entrenched in a lifestyle that the stereotypes embody, but many do not. An addiction does not discriminate between rich and poor, young or old. " If you think the majority of drug addicts are normal people like you and me...that haven't experienced some kind of trauma...we'll just have to disagree.     I haven't met many drug addicts who don't have a soul crushing story, if you can get them to tell it. "

How much experience do you have with addicts? I have no issues on telling anyone in public that I was a former Meth addict for over 7 years. When I first moved here in 2000 I tried to get into the schools to tell a first hand experience of what the drug can do. I can say I had no trauma, beatings, molested, abused, etc. All the people that I know did it were well paid people, business owners, very successful in their careers. All it took for me was at a bar one night, buddy said to try something, did coke before so what was the harm. Well.....instant sober, party till the sun came up, and let's just say Viagra couldn't compete. It was a great party drug. Till the party was over and the come down was like hitting a brick wall. That is where you get hooked, and it is very easy to do. It too me and others I know many times and even moving away from it to kick the habit. Addicts will try to justify their use and maybe they were abused, but it still doesn't justify doing the drug. There was other motives to put it in their system. Many will also make up stories cause being messed up it is hard to tell reality from fantasy when you are that messed up.

MrDobalina said "    Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. " I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services. "

Really? How would you only educate those who vote?  
How about those who are currently homeless, drug addicts, etc? Are they not worthwhile? I am hoping that you do not mean they are not worthy enough of help. Or, could you please elaborate on this/  
 
How do you think you would show how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services? What is your view of "proper mental health services?"

Fishin Guy said "    MrDobalina said "    Oryx said "    MrDobalina said "    Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. " I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services. " you say that drug users (those overdosing) have all been through untreated mental trauma...they were molested or beaten or otherwise abused....   this is not factual information and it a stereotype.     The reality of substance abusers is that the majority are just like everyone else. They are parents, children, friends, workmates, sisters and brothers. They hold down jobs, have friends, go to social functions and enjoy their weekends. Some fail to manage their addiction and do become entrenched in a lifestyle that the stereotypes embody, but many do not. An addiction does not discriminate between rich and poor, young or old. " If you think the majority of drug addicts are normal people like you and me...that haven't experienced some kind of trauma...we'll just have to disagree.     I haven't met many drug addicts who don't have a soul crushing story, if you can get them to tell it. " How much experience do you have with addicts? I have no issues on telling anyone in public that I was a former Meth addict for over 7 years. When I first moved here in 2000 I tried to get into the schools to tell a first hand experience of what the drug can do. I can say I had no trauma, beatings, molested, abused, etc. All the people that I know did it were well paid people, business owners, very successful in their careers. All it took for me was at a bar one night, buddy said to try something, did coke before so what was the harm. Well.....instant sober, party till the sun came up, and let's just say Viagra couldn't compete. It was a great party drug. Till the party was over and the come down was like hitting a brick wall. That is where you get hooked, and it is very easy to do. It too me and others I know many times and even moving away from it to kick the habit. Addicts will try to justify their use and maybe they were abused, but it still doesn't justify doing the drug. There was other motives to put it in their system. Many will also make up stories cause being messed up it is hard to tell reality from fantasy when you are that messed up. "

Congrats on kicking meth addiction for 7 years. While I have not dealt with it, I have heard many stories on how addicting it it.  
 
Thanks for sharing your story.

MrDobalina said "The majority of drug addicts are normal well functioning people that just like to get high to the point that they can't control it and end up over dosing.     I forgot I was posting on ebrandon "

Slow down. You are saying its only damaged, mentally ill people who are addicted to drugs. You think everyone is telling you that its only normal, well functioning people who get addicted to drugs. Neither of these are true.  
 
I have worked with both of these types of people who struggle with addiction. It could be a homeless person who steals to get high on meth. It could be a mentally ill person who drinks to forget. It could be a well adjusted kid who goes to college and has never been in trouble that is doing lines off a coffee table to stay up and play video games all night after a long week of school.  
 
Just because you don''t see the problem, doesn''t mean it doesn''t exist.  
 
 
EDIT: His post now got deleted.  
 
Edited by RGJ8, 2017-10-24 11:19:22

Fishin Guy said "    MrDobalina said "    Oryx said "    MrDobalina said "    Jym said "With Winnipeg experiencing a carfentanyl crisis over the last year and a bit I'm not surprised we are seeing this in Brandon. Whether or not that heroin/meth were laced w carfentanyl or fentanyl it is scary none the less. There have been heroin/meth over doses in the previous couple weeks which resulted in deaths.     I also wonder why there is little to known media coverage. These drugs are extremely dangerous to ones organs. Heroin can shut your organs down after one hit.     The saddest thing is the people using drugs like meth and heroin usually have a history of drug abuse. What people don't understand is every time you do drugs your damaging your organs. The stronger the drugs the worse the damage each time. These drugs are highly addicting and highly damaging. Do we need more education? Better resources for people to reach out to get help?     It's tragic. It's become an epidemic across the country. " I think the people overdosing are likely pretty damaged in the first place. I think every one of them has been through untreated mental trauma. The addict that was molested or beaten or otherwise abused...the boy who lost his family...doesn't really care what it's doing to his/her body. The only education we really need is to the people that actually vote. We need show them just how much crime, drug abuse, homelessness could be avoided with proper mental health services. " you say that drug users (those overdosing) have all been through untreated mental trauma...they were molested or beaten or otherwise abused....   this is not factual information and it a stereotype.     The reality of substance abusers is that the majority are just like everyone else. They are parents, children, friends, workmates, sisters and brothers. They hold down jobs, have friends, go to social functions and enjoy their weekends. Some fail to manage their addiction and do become entrenched in a lifestyle that the stereotypes embody, but many do not. An addiction does not discriminate between rich and poor, young or old. " If you think the majority of drug addicts are normal people like you and me...that haven't experienced some kind of trauma...we'll just have to disagree.     I haven't met many drug addicts who don't have a soul crushing story, if you can get them to tell it. " How much experience do you have with addicts? I have no issues on telling anyone in public that I was a former Meth addict for over 7 years. When I first moved here in 2000 I tried to get into the schools to tell a first hand experience of what the drug can do. I can say I had no trauma, beatings, molested, abused, etc. All the people that I know did it were well paid people, business owners, very successful in their careers. All it took for me was at a bar one night, buddy said to try something, did coke before so what was the harm. Well.....instant sober, party till the sun came up, and let's just say Viagra couldn't compete. It was a great party drug. Till the party was over and the come down was like hitting a brick wall. That is where you get hooked, and it is very easy to do. It too me and others I know many times and even moving away from it to kick the habit. Addicts will try to justify their use and maybe they were abused, but it still doesn't justify doing the drug. There was other motives to put it in their system. Many will also make up stories cause being messed up it is hard to tell reality from fantasy when you are that messed up. "

firstly I commend you on your recovery and the ability to remain sober for 7 years. For you, as I am sure you are aware it will be a life long process to maintain that sobriety and for some people (unsure about you) that isn''t easy.  
 
Your story is precisely the reason I made my comment. MrDobalina & other''s seem to think that addicts (drug/alcohol) are these bums living on the streets..the type we see on tv or movies. Or that they were abused as children or experienced some horrific life altering events where the coping meant turning to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. That simply isn''t true!  
 
In more recent years, it has started to become public knowledge that mental illness is common among substance abusers. For that reason, many are of the belief that all addicts are mentally ill, and vice versa — this isn’t true.  
 
Edited by Oryx, 2017-10-24 12:00:30

Someone said that people needed more education about the effects of Drugs. I was saying that A LOT of the people overdosing needed a different kind of help.  
 
I wasn't trying to marginalize anyone...that was all I was saying.

I can honestly say that I know of more wealthy, "well-adjusted" members of society that dabble in drugs (especially cocaine) than I do homeless or those with severe mental illnesses. Like others have said: addiction doesn't pick certain people. Unfortunately I think we can talk about it until we are blue in the face and people will not understand. Perhaps people who have lived lives of trauma are more susceptible to addiction but that's not the hard and fast rule. It only takes one time of taking a substance for a person to become hooked and spiral out of control to the point of overdose and/or death. If anyone is interested in a GREAT resource I would highly recommend the book "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts" by Gabor Mate. He works in Vancouver with those living with substance addictions. He has an ability to perfectly explain the science of addiction as well as the social aspects of it. I think it's important to have these conversations yet know that not everyone is going to agree on how addictions come to be and how to look at an individual who has an addiction. There is no point arguing with someone who only sees black and white but hopefully some education or experience may one day change their minds about it.

Orxy it will be actually easy for me to maintain a sober life. The 7 year addiction has been followed by 18 years of not touching it. Even still the chemicals have changed the brain receptors in my head. Sometimes I will still smell, taste, react to certain things that remind me of it. A bad one is certain nasal sprays but with what I have now in life makes me never to touch it again. What frustrated me is I even tried reaching out to the police and schools to help educate kids from a real life perspective as I seen this epidemic coming 17 years ago. Now that it is here.....it is never going to go away.

Didn’t read all the comments, but I definitely think a major cause is that there aren’t enough resources. Currently dealing with someone who is using, super caught up in the life style, and we have no clue where to turn. Drug users need more than just jail, they need treatment. For the mental and emotional aspect of addiction as well. Most stay in that life style just because they don’t know how to get out, not because it’s ‘fun’. Meth/heroin seems to be very popular right now. Along with morphine and supposedly people are doing fentanyl for ‘fun’?  
If anyone has any information for me as of where to turn next, would you pm me?  
He has afm meetings once a week, has agreed to go to aa and a group meeting, is looking for work but it’s hard to find work when he doesn’t have a clean criminal record. We need more, but not sure what.

For the people saying drugs are a choice, and that they started it so it’s their problem, give your heads a shake.  
The first time, maybe even the first few times, for most it was definitely a choice. But with time that choice becomes uncontrollable even if they don’t want to do it anymore. I hate that people ‘put down’ drug users. Everyone has a different story, and even if you’ve done drugs before it could have been a completely different experience than it is to someone else.

Meth is the most destructive drug in this city.Don’t forget the stats on this drug say that one time and your hooked. These are someone’s sons and daughters and mothers or fathers. We as a society need to figure out a way to help the drug addict , knowing they don’t always pick this addiction. Imagine being so paranoid on this drug that you feel the need to defend yourself against false threats. I feel very bad for the addicted people.

The message has been out there for some time now warning people of the dangers of drug use. Those who decide to do it know the risks so it's pretty hard to feel any compassion towards them.

Thread! I haven''t read all the posts but will start by congratulating "Fishing Guy" for getting clean.  
I see the people of Canada and especially our younger population as "human resources" that can grow Canada into a better more prosperous nation that benefits all of us. In view of that I see drug dealers as indivjduals tgat are destroying "human resources" that Canada requires for it''s own prosperity. If I had a say it would be that when drug dealers are caught and convicted, they go to jail and not for a year or two, try 20 years for a capital crime. Enabling addiction by distributing/selling a substance that is a known addiction product that renders addicts incapable of functioning in society is destroying lives. It may not be murder, but the damage may be just as bad or worse so dealers shoukd be put away forever when caught and convicted. Our justice system is a real joke and I do feel sorry for those addicted as drugs are so easily accessible these days.  
 
Edited by , 2017-10-24 17:51:42

When do we take the responsibility from the individual who has the capacity to make good choices? After the person has chosen once, twice, three times to get wrecked? 10 times? When the person if full blown junkie? At that point, do we start to blame the friend who introduced it to him? Do we blame the dealer? Do we blame the lack of resources?  
 
I GET that an addict may not be able to make good decisions but at one point is it no longer their fault that they are getting loaded, have to get loaded? I ask this because I am losing patience with our society not having to take responsibility for anything they do anymore.  
 
I know others are the same as me and not every day is a grand day and I'm assuming getting high would make my crappy day alot better. I just choose not to get ripped to improve a crappy day/month/year/decade. I work it out.  
 
I choose not to over indulge or associate with that crowd so there is no chance of me ever being in an addict's shoes. In younger days, I said no to a lot of people offering a lot of party favours. I saw what it did to them and others and wanted no part of it.  
 
I'm not trying to be cold about this but I don't understand it so keep explaining it in this thread. A person chooses to try drugs and becomes addicted then people start blaming the system because we have a lack of resources in place. I'm missing something. I just don't get it. How does the responsibility shift from a person who is capable of making good life choices but doesn't to the system? And it's not 1950, there are more resources and information out there now about everything. You'd have to live under a rock not to know/see/hear things. I don't understand the choices or the lack of responsibility.  
 
Interesting thread.

I come from a good family, hard working, loving, solid back ground, what’s wrong with that? Nothing actually. I myself am a very successful person, a house, vehicles, and a family, what’s wrong with that? Nothing. I’m a recovering alcoholic, but when I was drinking it was a different story, I’m not going to get into that, but to say that it’s a full out choice to do it is crap, it’s our choice yes, to take that hit, it’s our choice yes, to take that drink, but on the other hand it’s not a choice. I didn’t choose to have a problem that is just as prevalent of cancer or any other physical illness, but addiction is an illness, that has been linked to mental health and it is something that bothers me because I help people who ask me how do I quit? Well first off you got to want it. But the power of addiction is strong, and I don’t meant to come across as a $$hole but for those of you commenting on here that you GET it but your not addicted, and you can turn it off, I say awesome I wish I could, we all do, but unless you know what it’s truly like you don’t get it you don’t understand and there is no story that I can tell you that will make you understand it, thanks for your understanding, 2.5 yrs sober, not all addicts are bums, we can be very functional and successful in the fullness of addiction.

I know a lot of dealers only start dealing because they can’t do real work because of their addiction and will do anything to fulfill their needs. They aren’t all just ‘normal’ people who want to ruin lives. The drugs have taken over the good person inside and they just can’t care anymore.

Whether someone is dealing or using, anything involving drugs, they need help more than anything. Punishment won’t work. As soon as they get out they will go back to that life style because it’s all they know. Atleast from my experience with people. So many people are very close minded. It’s sickening.

ka712 said "Whether someone is dealing or using, anything involving drugs, they need help more than anything. Punishment won’t work. As soon as they get out they will go back to that life style because it’s all they know. Atleast from my experience with people. So many people are very close minded. It’s sickening. "

to people who have mental illness and threaten to harm themselves right?  
 
Only family members know what happens to their loved ones who try to get help and then are sent home to finally end their life! No warnings in the paper, police don't have to release special reports about that!  
 
Where is the big outcry for these people suffering from their mental illness? No one is calling for more resources for them!

I cannot agree more with your post and my spouse is a recovering addict.  
At one point I had to just say, I understand that you might have mental health problems that cause you to want to alter your state of mind, but you don't get to choose to be a crappy person and use drugs or alcohol as an escape. There are so many other coping mechanisms out there and it will be a learning process and it will be a struggle. Together we can work out a healthy way to deal with these issues so you don't have to choose drugs/alcohol. You have to learn how to deal with your mental health problems in a healthy way, you don't get to play the "poor me, victim card". Choose to be a functioning member of society. Choose to want to be a better person and manage your own mental health. Choose to go to therapy and get the tools/support you need. Choose a happy life. Choose your family/friends. Choose yourself over drugs/alcohol because you are worth so much more than that.

There is nothing you can negatively say to an addict that they aren’t already saying to themselves. Most (not all) are suffering from some type of mental illness or pain. Gabor Mate asks “why the pain?” Not why the addiction.  
Many of you have tried drugs and alcohol at some point in your life, and you aren’t an addict. Why? You chose to try a beer. You chose to try a joint. Why aren’t you an addict? What defines you differently?  
Likely trauma or illness.  
We need detox and long term treatment in our community.  
The meth use is out of control. Look around, and ask why that is happening...  
Resources are scarce, detox is non existent, and 21 day treatment is archaic.  
I facilitate Westman Families of Addicts, and I can’t even count how many addicts themselves contact me begging for help.  
There are no cultural or socioeconomic boundaries.  
I keep saying it, and will again—The war on drugs is NOT working.

I still maintain that addicted to drugs (or alcohol) is ones choice and as such needs to suffer the consequences for same. You cannot blame society for their addiction because there is a lack of resources, or the pressures of everyday living are to difficult for some to bear. If an addict gets behind the wheel of a car in an altered state of mind after taking drugs or alcohol, and kills a pedestrian using a crosswalk or an individual in another car why do they have the right to blame society for their addiction. A good defense lawyer in his closing argument will try to convince the courts that his client should be dealt with in a lienent manner due to his addiction. Tell me - Is this fair? He choose to be an addict and take either drugs or alcohol, so why should he not suffer the same consequences as a person who committed murder. We need to stop making excuses for these individuals. Because the drug problem in this country is getting worse, these addicts will eventually become a burden to our health care system tying up EMS and hospital ER personnel who have to deal with their addiction by keeping them alive.

ram1952 said "I still maintain that addicted to drugs (or alcohol) is ones choice and as such needs to suffer the consequences for same. You cannot blame society for their addiction because there is a lack of resources, or the pressures of everyday living are to difficult for some to bear. If an addict gets behind the wheel of a car in an altered state of mind after taking drugs or alcohol, and kills a pedestrian using a crosswalk or an individual in another car why do they have the right to blame society for their addiction. A good defense lawyer in his closing argument will try to convince the courts that his client should be dealt with in a lienent manner due to his addiction. Tell me - Is this fair? He choose to be an addict and take either drugs or alcohol, so why should he not suffer the same consequences as a person who committed murder. We need to stop making excuses for these individuals. Because the drug problem in this country is getting worse, these addicts will eventually become a burden to our health care system tying up EMS and hospital ER personnel who have to deal with their addiction by keeping them alive. "

Have you ever had any close ties with anyone who is/was an addict? Nobody wakes up and says..."Today I am going to chose to become an addict." Reading on this topic I can't see where people are blaming society. It is very easy to sit behind a computer and give their 2 cents. I can certainly say that 24 years ago I didn't wake up and decide to be a Meth addict for 7 years. You have no idea. You will always hear..."It will never happen to me." Once you are hooked it is so difficult to get off it. The dope sickness people feel is unbelievable, that is why it is easier to keep doing it than to quit. It took me many tries to kick my addiction. When I did my addiction program the statistic given at the time was a 10% success rate. That is not too promising to kick the habit. People say there are resources out there. Yes there is but it is a long waiting list taking months to even think about getting in.