Remember the expression, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? The expression is completely applicable when it comes to drug addiction. Drug rehabs and drug treatment centers come after the fact; they don’t prevent anything. They are NOT the “pound of cure.” Prevention then would actions taken which wuold be long-term survival actions for individuals and our society as a whole. If done properly, drug abuse and addiction would be a thing of the past.
It’s terrific that the White House’s new drug control strategy to be released this week boosts community-based anti-drug programs, encourages health care providers to screen for drug problems before addiction sets in and expands treatment beyond specialty centers to mainstream health care facilities…wouldn’t it be even better to have better solutions available for those reaching for drugs in the first place?
Yes, we need anti-drug programs, yes we need education, yes we need screening, but those are all still after the fact. The individual reaching for a drug is reaching for a solution. That’s not to generalize why people start taking drugs. There are a multitude of reasons why one would reach for a marijuna joint, or a bottle of gin, or a syringe of heroin. The reasons can range from trying to fit in to wanting to alleviate stress, to not wanting to be bored.
So many kids today are latchkey, hanging out after school with nothing to do. We don’t even allow them to work! Add to that a failing educational system, a sense of entitlement mentality, in some areas gang activities or bullies to contend with. Or how about the kids of parents who abuse drugs? Or are alcoholics? How about teens whose parents physically or mentally abuse them or their other parent?
And how about the kid who has decent parents, but whose parents don’t have a clue about what their kid is up to?
So many teens have no games (if I do well in school, I get to learn how to drive or if I help with dinner I get to choose our next movie rental) or long-term goals (such as becoming a dancer, or a doctor).
The list of reasons why an individual would reach for drugs would be near impossible to catalog. But trust me, there is a reason behind each person’s drug use.
I salute Obama’s pledge to treat illegal drug use more as a public health issue than a criminal justice problem. But the truth be told, it’s a moral issue, and just before that, it’s a morale issue.
If one were happy with one’s lot in life. There would be no need to smoke a joint. If one was productive and looking at their next goal and how to achieve it, there would be no need to drink themselves into oblivion. If one were able to communicate well with the spouse and kids and truly feel they were in a happy relationship, there were be not demand for prescription psych drugs.
What if our goal as a nation was to raise our next generation to be responsible for their lot in life? Show how being a productive member of society and contributing and helping others raises one’s morale faster than a rush of crystal meth. How there is no entitlement. You reap what you sow…
Of course we’re then entering into the arena of spiritualism, of self determinism and preservation of freedom of choice…and who can confront that?
Need help? We’re here to answser your questions. Looking for a drug rehab treatment center that will help put one’s life back together and end the cycle of addiction once and for all? We’ll talk about your options. Call now (877) 502-1065. There is no cost to speak to us and we’ll make a referral that make sense for your situation.
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