Quote:
Originally Posted by unsunghero
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No you are right. If someone wants to continue to use a drug until it kills them there is almost no way to stop it using the mental health system
This is why I have always been a proponent of forced involuntary drug treatment decided via “drug courts” (new programs some states have adopted). Drug courts basically give people two options: forced treatment in a rehab setting or jail/prison
This is also why the legal system is the only way to prevent or delay someone’s drug suicide. But then you’re putting them in a jail/prison setting which are terrible, so it all circles back to forced rehab being the best thing
“Why not just turn the other cheek? Someone can eat themselves to death whenever they want” In my opinion drugs like meth, heroin, alcohol are worse than food addiction because the chemical dependence in the brain is stronger and the physical withdrawal is infinitely worse (at least for alcohol and heroin)
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Can confirm, I live in one of the west coast cities that are just crippled by drugs and alcohol. I volunteered for the better part of two years helping at risk people learn computers and build their resumes.
At the time there was a tiered system where the benefits and help came with the persons progress through the system. First step was getting clean, and basic hygiene services are available with clean clothes ect. Next was help getting a job and housing. All coupled with drug treatment programs and learning.
Never really made any connections outside the computer lab, but I do know not many people made it past that point as they went back to drugs. All the tools were there and available for them to integrate back into society. I have talked with the homeless about where they can go to get help, and then see the same person holding a different sign on the same corner at the same time different day.
What more can you do?
Its a terrible plague and affliction on the cities and individuals by all metrics.