America’s politicians and legislators are painfully silent about an epidemic of drug and alcohol addiction that continues to sweep mainstream USA. As the political drone continues on the subject of the drug war, crime and immigration we ignore the fundamental demand of drugs flooding into this country. Jamie lee Curtis discusses her own addiction in King of Pain. Ted Koppel finds himself mourning the loss of his son to addiction. Michael Douglas talks about his son’s drug dealing. Joseph Califano, an expert on addiction talks of rising demand in We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us. Demand is up and options for recovery are elusive with out deep financial pockets. In Florida, oxycodone alone killed almost 1200 persons in 09. In fact, more than 20,000 persons die from drug overdose each year in America. The point is that addiction touches too many Americans to remain silent about it. Politicians need to talk about treatment and recovery options available to all Americans on demand. Politicians need to see the drug war in real terms with solutions coming from reducing demand and treating addicts; not ostracizing them.
DadOnFire
On fire about the impact of addiction and need for solutions
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September 30, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Barbara
I don’t understand the silence…surely many of them have experienced the devastating effects of addiction in their families…why are they not doing more? Is it shame? I am NOT ashamed of my son’s addiction because I know its not a reflection on me. I commend celebrities that speak out on this topic but we need average Americans AND politicians to join them so something can be done before we lose one more….but in the time it took me to type this, we probably lost one 😦
October 7, 2010 at 5:30 pm
susan lea
My daughter who is addicted to opiates was watching a program on TV where Barbara Walters was describing how addiction had affected her child and her family. Ms. Walters talked about how this was a disease and not a moral weakness. My daughter was affected positively by this program. It helped her to lose the shame of her addiction and start to see it as a medical condition. Each celebrity or politician that speaks out about their own experiences with addiction helps to educate families everywhere. And for my family, this was a good thing. My daughter is facing court procedings because of drug charges. We hope the judge will also see her addiction as a medical condition and not just as a crime.