Friday, April 13, 2018
The Facts on America's Opioid Epidemic
Brief informational video on the current crisis. Shocking to think how removing access to opioids from those who are dependent on them for pain management could drive those users to other drugs like heroin or counterfeit pills. Removing the supply will only increase the demand or push the demand to more potent opioids. There is just no simple solution.
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Many think that banning opioids will solve the current crisis and fail to recognize that the true addicts will find another method to meet their addiction. I think it may benefit people if there were more education about addicts and drug use rather than rally support to continue the war on drugs.
ReplyDeleteHistory repeats itself. This idea is widely believed to be true and has many similarities to Prohibition.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. We discussed in class the benefits of treating the individuals with addiction differently than what we currently are doing, and that would be a start. I'm not sure if over prescription would have been the lone cause to the epidemic, but more regulation potentially would have slowed the number of deaths.
DeleteRemoving supply doesn't mean decreasing supply, but increases illegal channels to produce and deliver drug. From the prospective of Economics, decriminalization is the best way to control the supply channels, making it professional and strict.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Elena, while counter-intuitive at first, there is no reason for the existence of gangs if the products they sell is in the hands of the government (although violent groups may turn to other illicit resources to keep doing business, but I'm not sure what).
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting and scary to think that if the supplies of opioids was cut off, people who are dependent on them for pain management, would automatically look for a something to replace them that could possibly be more dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI think in order for there to be any type of solution, every situation in this crisis will have to be looked at.
ReplyDeleteYou would think the United States would learn after countless examples of them interfering and criminalizing drugs throughout the world... Do you think that some lobbyists might push for these foreign agendas? Like pharmaceuticals pushing for those kinds of policies?
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