Other countries like Canada and the UK don't spend so much on defense and have the same issues. It's a good idea to view issues from a broader perspective and not just through the lens of your nation, it's kinda like sticking your head up your own ass and thinking the whole world smells like farts.
My point is that junkies needing ER services are not the greatest drain on society. I don’t think that paramedics narcanning people is anywhere near the top of the list on our budget chopping block when most countries have some/all of: corruption, corporate subsidies, excessive military, severely overmilitarized and overfunded police forces, etc.
The trauma and abuse that drives people to suffering and unproductivity, a large subset of them to mental illness, and a decent subset of them to substance use is a large drain on our society.
And it is far more efficient for us to keep these people alive, get them therapy and treatment (Has anyone seen the MDMA-assisted therapy study results from the numerous MAPS studies touting 60-70% PTSD remission rates after 12 months?), get the ones suffering from drug addiction treatment for that as well along the way, and get them to be functioning members of society. And most importantly, turn them into happy humans who are content with their lives and striving to make the world a better place.
It is ludicrous to suggest that if we don’t force drug users to volunteer cleaning up trash that they are somehow a massive drain on society. It is ridiculous to have the paramedics search them for an ‘Overdose Insurance Volunteer Hour Log’ card as they are asphyxiating and then only revive them if enough hours are on there.
Taking the time to set up a system this stupid is a drain on our resources. If you care that much about taking time away from paramedics, advocate for safe injection/harm reduction sites and free drug testing labs that have both been saving countless lives in Canada and other countries.
