Welcome to the Third Degree: Tough, Brief, Weekly Interrogations on matters public and private that force thinking and response. This Sunday, we continue with the new series, “Articles of Faith”, and there are many, but, today, we target: Addiction

  • With the DNC convening in Chicago tomorrow and many employers cancelling “in city” work for fear of disruption and danger, is idea addiction to blame?
  • If one is addicted to a thought or a substance, does this justify threat or violence?
  • Are both dangerous, the fixated and enabling idea and illegal drug use? To whom?
  • Has it become an article of faith that drug addiction is a sickness and society must respond with hard currency and compassionate care, and more, supply side enforcement to win the drug war?
  • Like many articles, does faith flounder, in this case, after 54 years of obvious failure?
  • While we should beware zealous reformers, so historically numerous and injurious, is there realization that we need effective change?
  • Is decriminalization another false policy God that incites rather than inhibits drug use?
  • Is tough love enough? Maybe? Sometimes?
  • Do the economics (not millions or billions, but trillions of wasted dollars) plus societal and criminal realities dictate it’s time to change strategy and tactics.
  • Do reluctant assessments for success conclude that only legalization coupled with vigorous warnings about dangers of use, plus understanding, however painful, lost lives will be lost?
  • Since addictive substances (See drug schedules 1-3 including opioids, cocaine, synthetics, cannabinoids. meth and more) are cheap (even adding a profitable tax), why not legally sell to those seeking relief from the street and attendant dangers? Why not try?
  • Is the trick to keep it very simple and avoid the normal, complex, ineffective, and expensive government program approach?
  • Can you construct such a model including registration, rehab opportunity, plus restrictions on public use and drug induced incapacitation?
  • Should there be provisions for physical pain relief, mental illness/incapacity plus age considerations, including minors and the aged?
  • Should voting eligibility be an issue?
  • Should overdose treatment be an exception rather than expected?
  • Can hardened attitudes and simple economics beat ‘illegal” drug importation/sales and unsanctioned domestic production?
  • Whose addiction is it anyway and to what? Who pays?
  • Articles of faith or failure? What do you believe?

Socrates reminds: “The unexamined life is not worth living”. The answers and actions are yours.