RUC4
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2018
- Messages
- 646
It seems everyone can agree that there is in fact an epidemic of addiction in the US and abroad. What can be done to address it? There are 2 models surfacing in management or treatment: harm reduction vs punishment. Canada is now taking the harm reduction approach to the streets and applying these new ideas to addiction.
They are pioneering the fight with new ways of approaching addiction. Doctors are writing prescriptions for powerful opioids and stimulants to deter the users from buying the concoctions on the street that could be laced with other deadly components like fentanyl or Xylazine. They have opened a large number of clean sites to administer drugs perhaps not attained through a legal prescription from a doctor. The clean sites provide testing for the substance of your choice along with clean needles and sanitary areas to use. On site are staff ready with narcan if necessary and other medical staff to address serious issues (like overdose or poisoning from unknown additives). Should there be decriminalization or all drugs? Should there be a medical/social approach to addiction? Agreeing on a common goal is necessary to even begin treatments of any kind. Is the end goal always being drug free? If people are choosing to use substances, should they have the legal option to do so safely, without risking their lives? Some critics say these programs are enabling the drug problem and will only worsen circumstances.
In the infancy of these programs in Canada, there is proof shown that it is reducing overdoses. Should Harm Reduction ultimately be the goal everywhere? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
I want to know your thoughts.
They are pioneering the fight with new ways of approaching addiction. Doctors are writing prescriptions for powerful opioids and stimulants to deter the users from buying the concoctions on the street that could be laced with other deadly components like fentanyl or Xylazine. They have opened a large number of clean sites to administer drugs perhaps not attained through a legal prescription from a doctor. The clean sites provide testing for the substance of your choice along with clean needles and sanitary areas to use. On site are staff ready with narcan if necessary and other medical staff to address serious issues (like overdose or poisoning from unknown additives). Should there be decriminalization or all drugs? Should there be a medical/social approach to addiction? Agreeing on a common goal is necessary to even begin treatments of any kind. Is the end goal always being drug free? If people are choosing to use substances, should they have the legal option to do so safely, without risking their lives? Some critics say these programs are enabling the drug problem and will only worsen circumstances.
In the infancy of these programs in Canada, there is proof shown that it is reducing overdoses. Should Harm Reduction ultimately be the goal everywhere? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
I want to know your thoughts.