I would like to know how people feel about this issue because I have a member of the family that is suffering. Thank You
2007-02-14 04:56:27 · 17 answers · asked by Nick P 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Addiction is a disease because the body becomes reliant on it. It's a crime because it is illegal and you are breaking the law. Even alcohol being legal to consume unless it is being abused then that is a crime also. If you are in an accident and someone dies in a result of that accident it is a crime. There was an accident in Gretna Nebraska a few weeks ago. The driver which was a minor had been drinking and also the passengers, the driver was going very fast and rolled the car and the 2 passengers were killed. The driver has been arrested for motor vehicle homicide. The press is saying that the driver only had a .03 alcohol level. But if you are a minor it is zero tolerance and is considered alcohol related because he was taking an excessive risk as he was driving and that has to do with too much alcohol in his system. So this was an example of crime related with drugs and alcohol.
2007-02-14 05:12:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's see: if there is a law against it, and that makes it legally a crime, then that is what it is, pure and simple.
I expect you will find that many people, including medical and psychology professionals, will say that much addiction is disease.
My greatest involvement was due to an alcoholic wife, and the clinic she attended had all this information about how it was a disease, even showed films demonstrating that a lot of scientific study was put into this.
That said, I do not believe a simple answer to your query is possible. This is because drug addictions, if defined as disease, are the only diseases known that become cured as soon as the addicted person makes a voluntary (and lasting) change in his/her lifestyle habits. Furthermore, this is the only known cure.
If a member of your family is truly suffering, this may be taken as a positive sign, for it leads to the hope that their suffering will be felt so strongly that it will become the final incentive for them to make the personal choice to cure themselves.
You may feel pain from their actions, but nothing you feel, say, or do will alter anything except how you feel about yourself; ONLY the addict can change his/her habits.
There are support agencies/help outlets that exist to provide support for family members and friends of addicts. I strongly recommend you seek such help in your area, and take advantage of it.
Good luck.
2007-02-14 05:20:00 · answer #2 · answered by Ef Ervescence 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a disease the way alcoholism is a disease. That's what addiction is. Once we get health care for all, the next logical step is to declare all drug abuse to be a medical problem, not a legal one. The rules about driving while intoxicated will exist, of course, as will a host of other laws governing using prescription drugs without a prescription. There will still be consequences, but they will not clog the courts and the prisons and the probation offices. Indeed, we would save more money than the treatment of addiction would cost.
2016-05-23 22:30:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A really bad disease if addicted, but a crime if abusing it but not addicted. Example: Weed, which is NOT addicting but many people got to jail for having it on them or trying to sale it makes a crime. Meth on the other hand is very addictive and extremely dangerous. I would say Weed is like a common cold while Meth, Cocaine and other hard core drugs are like a disease. It's easy to get hooked but hard to get off. Overall drugs are a crime whether abusing them or addicted to them. I say just be safe and don't do DRUGS!! Hardcore ones that is!! Remember the worst thing that can happen with you and marijuana is getting caught with it!! Take care.
2007-02-14 05:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would call it more of a self infilicted disorder, but that is for addiction only, use is not a disorder or disease, it is still a crime according to most law enforcement and since they are the ones who will arrest for it its still a crime.
2007-02-14 05:16:20 · answer #5 · answered by kloops1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both...A crime because they weren't born that way and CHOSE to start BUT treat it as a disease because most of the drugs have a true physical addiction that requires medical assitance to overcome.
2007-02-14 05:05:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is sooooooooo NOT a crime. It's a problem...not even a disease. Just an addiction that with help and support can be overcome. Addiction is more hereditary I think. To call it a disease seems harsh. Not at all a crime.
2007-02-14 04:59:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Drug addiction is a disease.
Drug use is a crime.
Not all drug users are addicted.
Addicted users need help, they can choose to get help or choose to continue to commit the crime of using drugs.
2007-02-14 05:00:21 · answer #8 · answered by laurie888 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a decease.
Put a person in jail for there decease and they are still going to have it when they get out, nothing solved this way. People just return to jail.
Treat it as a decease and get these people medical, or mental help and they will learn why they use plus all the physical stuff that comes with quitting.
2007-02-14 16:28:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a specific addiction so it should be defined like that.
As long as most of the reasons that conduct to drug use are social, the addiction should be considered as a social phenomena and treated through mental health methods.
2007-02-14 05:01:26 · answer #10 · answered by Vlado 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋