Instead of persecuting drug users and calling them names like "scaghead" can we learn to see them as victims?

Question

Of a society that dosn't care?

And shouldn't we try to deal with the root cause of their drug abuse instead of throwing them in prison and leaving them to reoffend when they come out?

No haters please only genuine replies.

Answer 1

Drug addicts and alcoholics suffer from a disease. This disease usually results in consequences which are socially repugnant. At some point, these people have an insight to the fact that continued indulgence in drugs/alcohol will not be tolerated and will inevitably destroy them and all that's around them (true)-they then make a choice to keep going or get help. It is hard to sympathize with them unless they try to change. A couple of outstanding features of addiction is incredible selfishness as well as an amazing capacity to manipulate others. If we hand someone the "Victim" label, they will most likely run with it and use it to their own end. The stats are bleak for recovery.

Answer 2

People who's lives are so bad that drugs or alcohol seem like a good idea or the only way to get through the day need help.
The problem is that Joe Public isn't the right person to give that help.
The main problem is that they get into a cycle of addiction and often turn to crime to fund the addiction. Thats where its difficult to be sympathetic.

It also worries me that people can't imagine how bad other peoples lives can get. My attitude is 'there but for the grace of God go I'.
We already pay for the problem; in increased taxes for the health service, for users needing NHS resources, for increased insurance premiums.

Personally I think that all drugs should be legalised and handed out free to addicts, along with needles; in clean safe clinics.
If you have no interest in drugs the fact that you can get them won't tempt you to try them. There'd be no excuse for crime to fund a drug habit.
The fact is we can't stop people taking them. Prohibition doesn't work. So the least we can do is lessen the impact on the victims.

Answer 3

I agree that people who use illegal drugs should not be criminalized and locked up, but I don't think they're victims. The vast, vast majority of people who use illegal drugs do so in moderation and are active, productive members of society. They're doing the same thing as people who drink or take prescription drugs like valium do - namely self medicating either to deal with stress or for recreation. It's just that some drugs are more socially acceptable n the US than others. IMHO, all drugs should be legalized.

If you hurt someone when you're under the influence, then you should be punished for the harm you cause. Otherwise, enough of the nanny state. People should be left alone to do what they want with their bodies.

Answer 4

This depends on what drug we are talking about and wether they actually want help. Not just say yes to keep their butt outta jail. (I don't feel that smokeing pot is a big deal or that people who smoke it should goto jail) There's so many programs we have and they do not work for everyone. I DO NOT and WILL NOT ever see them as victims because they have a choice before it all starts and jail certanly does not reform them hell I've been told you get better drugs in jail..It seems to me help should start with family and not society. It's not that society doesn't care. There's so many people with drug problems and its easier to start with the users first then hopefully get the dealers. There are many people who had a ruff life and don't do drugs. Every one has problems its how you choose to deal with them that matters.

Answer 5

i feel this is a very difficult question i have smoked cannabis since i was 14 and at first it was because i wanted to over the last 3 yrs a lot of really bad things have happened in my life and at first i thought cannabis was helping me by numbing the pain i now think that it has only made my problems worse cos its stopped me dealing with the problem

however people who are on crack and heroine are a different kettle of fish as bad as my problems are i no what the risks of doing a drug like that are and would never put my self in that position but i do feel that if people have had really bad life's find the drug taking as a way of escape but not every one who uses drugs have had a bad life so u have to treat them all the same going around robbing old ladies to feed a habit that they got themselves is not acceptable so u have to treat them all the same

Answer 6

The problem is we will never be able to stop the root cause. Hard core drugs are being funneled into the U.S. like water and it will take years and extreme measures to stop it, if we ever can. This is almost like cancer. Since we don't have a cure for cancer itself, we take care of the symtoms. We punish users hoping that if we do it enough people will get the idea that drugs are just this horrible downward spiral and to stay away. I understand what you are saying but you have to also remember that most users started drugs knowing the fates of those around them. That's why it's hard to have sympathy for them. They may not be able to control it now, but at some point they did have control. And look at meth users. Not only to they endager themselves by using, but look at the number of fatalities their labs have caused to unsuspecting neighbors and such.

Answer 7

i do feel sorry for the victims of society. the grandmothers whose pension got stolen to pay for drugs is one example.

i am pro-choice, you have the right to choose your path, and its a god-given right.

i have been a recreational drug user

so, having weighed up the evidence, and made an informed decision. i took drugs.
i then made the choices of which drugs to take, and when to stop
i took money only from my own pocket
and i never ever tried to go to work in a drugged state, although the mornings could be a hassle.

addictive drugs are taken by choice (initially), by people who know the consequences. in certain social circles they see them everyday. if they are victims, they are victims of their own folly.

ok so you shouldn't lock them up for being addicted, but you cant treat them any more softly than non-addicts. criminals go to jail. drugs or no drugs.

rehab is also a choice. you have to choose (want) to give up. and its a fact that not all addicts WANT to give up.

"junkies" and "scagheads" are still "humans", so why treat them any differently.

Answer 8

they are victims, most of them start because the are young and silly . and older people think ." it wont affect me"....but drugs are addictive and the withdrawal is awful. so they will do anything for the relief of the next fix.
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i am fed up with having my car broken into and attempts on my home though by people who are wanting money for the next fix.
it is not a class thing either anybody can be a drug addict.
i have no idea what to do for them . Glasgow gives the methadone which is just exchanging one addition for another.

Answer 9

a victim is someone who couldnt prevent something from happening to them drug users choose to take drugs so to hell with them i say, why would i or any other person want to help someone like that, when there are so many other genuine cases of need out there, for instance children victims of abuse, old person victim of mugging (which by the way a druggie probably done to his fix)!

Answer 10

drug users have a choice between good (not doing drugs) and bad (doing drugs). The same go with drug deals, and robbers. Everyone has a choice. You know drugs are bad why use them and why do you expect people who are being good to help you out and no call you name. You made you choice now live with it. You chose to be bad no us. To help drug users is a waste of tax payer money because if some one want to stop using the drug then they have that choice.