'Addiction Is Everywhere, and It's Important for Us to Recognize That'

[slimvictor]

The average dinner party just got a lot more exciting. An unconventional invitation -- which asks us to come together, pull up a chair around the table and talk about our experiences with drugs and addiction -- has inspired thousands across the U.S. and abroad to RSVP with curious anticipation.

The idea of taking a taboo topic like substance use and creating an event around it originated with social entrepreneur Michael Hebb and his Death Over Dinner project. Operating from the belief that the intimacy of the dinner table can ignite the transformative power of connection, Hebb created the project in 2012 as a way to get people talking about and processing dark personal issues.

Since the launch of Death Over Dinner, more than 100,000 people in 30 countries have shared their thoughts around death, including end-of-life wishes, with friends and family. Despite the somber topic, the conversations are marked by compassion and connection, with a structured dialogue designed to transform fear and avoidance into openness and a sense of community. The project is another example of how communication can be a powerful driver of social change.

This next phase of Hebb's dinner campaign was catalyzed by his awareness of the staggering effects of drugs and addiction on our society, and the fact that the epidemic is largely being swept under the rug due to social stigmatization. I'm a personal friend and peer of Hebb's, and as he knew of my experience in the substance-abuse and mental-health field, he asked me to cofound the new project, Drugs Over Dinner, to bring critical conversations about drugs, alcohol and addiction out of the shadows.

Also serving in the Drugs Over Dinner campaign is a powerful group of activists and icons, including political advisors and thought leaders in the realm of addiction, treatment and mental health. The roster includes Arianna and Christina Huffington, Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Carl Hart, Tommy Rosen, Chris Blackwell, David Sheff, Michael Skolnick, Noah Levine, Lee McCormick, Dr. Hedy Fry and Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, to name just a few. The mix of diverse opinions and expertise is a dynamic recipe for spontaneous, productive engagement.

cont at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamison-monroe-jr/addiction-is-everywhere_b_7139336.html

 

[SteamboatBillJr]

...This next phase of Hebb's dinner campaign was catalyzed by his awareness of the staggering effects of drugs and addiction on our society, and the fact that the epidemic is largely being swept under the rug due to social stigmatization...

..."A lack of education regarding the reality of today's substance user is fueling the stigmatization," says Christina. "Until you know what it means to be struggling with addiction, or you go through it with someone close to you who's addicted, it's hard to see addicts as people. Talking about our experiences with those who have experienced addiction and those who [haven't] can be one of the most powerful ways to breakdown stigma. Addiction is everywhere, and it's important for us to recognize that." ...

Honest harm reduction preemptively prevents addiction and protects the health of drug users. My experience has shown educated drug users become addicts less frequently than naive drug users and research has shown educated drug users are healthier.


In the white washed world in which others exist they don't feel much compassion about people different than themselves. Those people get caught in loops of malice in an attempt at protecting the solution they falsely think is the only practical solution. They aren't thinking though things. Remembering different people are also human, the same as us, is important. No clowning around. Other peoples health, safety, and liberty is valuable even if they use different drugs.

As shocking as this may be, militaristic drug wars and incarceration aren't the most economical, humane, and effective tools in holding the the social fabric of society together. This is true for all people. These bad policies exist because of precedent. Years ago our leaders had strong feelings about inhumane social policies and they were wrong. Perhaps we could overcome this with open dialogue and harm reduction someday. Then we could move forward more peacefully.

 

[slimvictor]

^ nice post, Bill.
I agree.