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Originally Posted by WhiteTiger
Speaking solely for myself...it feels like the government is using 'my' money to reward bad/addictive behavior. I realize that it's a 'me' issue, and that this is probably one of the better options to actually help these people.
I mean, I've been told all my life that drugs are bad. I've been through almost all of the 'war on drugs'. I've grown up through the "Just Say No" campaign. I've been told my entire life that if you are a drug addict, you are a bad person and it's your fault and you should feel bad about it.
And now, after 4.5 decades of that, the government is like "Nope, we've changed our minds. Let's give these addicts their drugs". So there's a part of me that's like "So now we're giving out free drugs? I've been told my entire life drugs are bad, and we're GIVING them out now? WTF?" Most of me realizes that that part of me is more hindbrain, but it's still there.
I realize that it's a sort of knee-jerk reaction in me, and I'm dealing with it. But that doesn't change how it feels right now. It kind of feels like I've spent my entire life being the 'good, responsible' child, and now my parents are asking me to loan my irresponsible ne'er-do-well brother MORE money, due to his bad decisions.
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Yeah, the Just Say No crap messed with me for a long time. Whenever we'd smoke up for the longest time I'd tell myself it was just fake fun because drugs are bad until I finally realized we'd been pedaled a load of propaganda. Had I not had experiences with more open minded people in my late teens and early 20s, I'd probably be in the same boat as you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteTiger
Yes, actually. My parents were very much against 'choice' vices like drinking, smoking and drugs, and if you 'fell into that trap', it was your own fault and your responsibility to take care of. I realize my case is far from the norm in that regard.
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Yeah, those attitudes and beliefs we're raised with can ingrain pretty deep.
I think with this program, though, they're endeavoring to help the addicts, save the taxpayers money and provide some relief to first responders. Seems like it's worth trying IMO.