Free crack pipes!

[BPSCG]

I've done a cursory search on the internet and can't find any studies that have been done to see if after all this time, these free needles programs have done any good.

Hasn't Amsterdam had a "needle park" for many years? How are things working there?

I'm also sorry for your loss, Luke. I also know first-hand what it's like to see a member of your family self-destruct and to be unable to do anything to stop it. I just think providing the pararphenalia to continue a drug habit takes away all the incentives to do something about it, and ultimately makes the problem worse. If I thought it would work, I'd be singing a different tune.

 

[Luke T.]

Well, I'll tell you guys something. As a brother, I often think that I mighta, coulda, woulda, shoulda bought my brother a million freaking needles if it would have prevented him from dying the way he did. He and all of his friends all died from AIDS.

But I also know that he was breaking and entering into a lot of people's houses and stealing from them, and committing armed robberies of convenience stores in the area.

It's a private little hell in a dark corner of my brain to this day, thinking about that crap.

 

[Tony]

If I thought it would work, I'd be singing a different tune.

Do you sing a different tune on drug laws? They sure as hell haven't worked.

I don't know what the solution is, but putting (non-violent, non-thief) addicts in jail isn't it. I'm still undecided on the whole crack pipe/needle thing, but I will say that such programs are in the right direction. Drugs should be pursued as a public health issue, not a criminal issue.

 

[Jocko]

Like I said:
"...or they decide to make it social policy to shoot crack addicts on sight..."
But my quote was sarcasm.

I did not say shoot them, on sight or otherwise. I said forced detox with prison time for repeat failures. I look at it as a health issue, much like the involuntary commitment allowed for the mentally ill. If you'd like to address that idea, fine, but no not equate my stance with public hangings. It's incorrect and dishonest.

Addicts are a danger to society. They are a drain on the treasury, and frankly a blight on civilization. They need to straigten up, and I'm all for giving them help to do so. Americans aren't against paying taxes, they're against wasted tax money. Free needles that extend the lives of willfully useless and dangeroous people is a waste of my money. Think that's cruel? Tell that to the person - that TAXPAYER - who gets shot during a hold-up because someone's jonesing and needs some fast cash.

 

[Luke T.]

You know, we get drunk drivers sent to us in A.A. all the time. Sometimes it is their defense lawyer telling them to come so when their trial comes up, they have this sheet which shows how they are trying to reform themselves. Sometimes it is part of their sentence. We call this a "nudge from the judge."

A lot of us are cynical of this practice. It rarely takes. And not every drunk driver is an alcoholic. Maybe after two or three DUIs there is a good chance they are.

Narcotics Anonymous has the same thing going on with these nudges from judges.

On the flip side, the majority of people who have long term sobriety in A.A. and N.A. are people who were nudged from the judge or went to prison a bunch of times and then it finally took. Rarely does an alcoholic wake up one day and voluntarily decide its a good day to join A.A. I am one of those rare ones, though.

I have been a volunteer substance abuse counselor in jails and prisons for nine and a half years. I can't tell you how many inmates have told me how thankful they were for being "rescued" by the police from their addictions. One memorable fellow was shot five times during the course of his apprehension. Two rounds were through his chest.

Some rescue!

Unfortunately, those inmates who choose to seek help are in a very tiny minority. The rest would just as soon poke your eyes out for the sheer joy of it.