Drug addicts

[david51058]

Why do we pamper drug addicts? They chose to start taking the stuff in the first place. Instead of prescribing them methodone to try wean them off, why not just lock them in a padded cell for a few days with basic food and water. They would soon be off the habit.

[ummmm]

My mate is a heroin addict. One of the saddest things I've ever seen.

My kids guessed what was wrong with him...he was like a real life anti drugs campaign...

[missnemesis]

The point I was making Dris was that just about everybody on here judges other ABer's posts/opinions/lifestyle choices. I highlighted your post because it was you who mentioned not being in a position to judge. This place reeks of it.

I was not singling your opinion out - merely using it to illustrate mine.

[Dris]

Aye right missnemesis ;) LOL

[flobadob]

Just legalise it all and stop pampering society, let everyone make their own choices.

[david51058]

Yes but we are drifting from the point. My reasoning for the padded cell idea was that they could go 'cold turkey' in there and not injure themeslves. They may suffer as they are going through if it gets them off the stuff then it's worth it for them and more importantly for the rest of us who have to put up with all the crimes they commit.

[ummmm]

'Cold Turkey' can kill you.

[jackthehat]

Ah..........
So it *was* a simplistic solution to a complex problem.

How disappointing.........

[mike11111]

Addiction, of whatever sort, is a truly terrible thing which forces some people of virtue to throw morality out of the window when it comes to satisfy their craving. All I can say is, "There, but for the Grace of God &c"

[flobadob]

You cannot wean someone off something unless they want to go off it. Loads of people are happy enough with their drug use and don't want to be forced off it. I include alcohol and nicotine in this scenario.

[ummmm]

Yes flob. There are many drug addicts that actually fund their own habits. Do we lock these ones in a padded cell. Or is it just the scumbag druggies?

[flobadob]

Well, no one can justify someone knocking over an old lady and stealing from her, or stealing from anyone. Whether that stealing is to fund a drug habit is irrelevant. However I think personally that a vast majority of drug users are self sufficient and happy enough with their situation. And I'm okay with that too, personally.

[Sqad]

JTH
<<<sqad - Are you sure you meant 'anthropomorphic' ? <<<<

Yes.....why?

[jackthehat]

Because it doesn't make sense...........

[Sqad]

Well, I am sorry.....it was an answer to pasta´s post about addicts having ..2 arms, 2 legs, ect ect...............addicts being human shape.....anthropomorphic......never mind.

[mike11111]

I think Sqad might be using the the term 'anthropomorphic' in two ways:
1. The literal meaning, i.e having human form
2. The literary meaning, an animal with the appearance and characteristics of a human.

[murraymints]

I had lots of dealings with addicts of all sorts and was actively involved in many special programmes in Edinburgh which was front line and hands on... addiction is an illness .....as well as a social scurge I admit... I have not come across an addict who wants to be an addict... there is no quick solution and locking up in a padded cell is just an ignorant and very dangerous suggestion, The root of the addiction has to be investigated and dealt with...address the reason .....not the symptoms.... I have been able to help with addicts social needs which resulted in them eventually with lots of help and attention , getting clean...had many return visits from grateful AND clean clients...

[Sqad]

Mike....thanks.

[andy-hughes]

Yes david, addicts chose to start taking drugs, but they did not start off with the intention of becoming an addict - who would?

Addicition is something that happens to people under a specific set of social and emotional circumstances which society as a whole does not have to experience, much less deal with.

It is the insidious lure of drugs that creates addicts - not my words, the words of Keith Richards, who has experiences of drugs that are more widespread than most of us on here.

i think it we are a caring society, wwe should opffer compassion to all who suffer - be they obese, smokers, alcoholics, or simply unable to cope with the situation in which they find themselves.

Taking the moral high ground helps no-one, and makes cold creatures of us all.

[New Judge]

“...they could go 'cold turkey' in there and not injure themeslves. They may suffer as they are going through if it gets them off the stuff then it's worth it...”

A fine idea, but with one or two minor drawbacks:

Firstly, as has been pointed out, unsupervised and unattended “Cold Turkey” can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. However, even if this could be overcome, one dose of Cold Turkey does not make an addict into a non-addict. There is a far greater likelihood that they will simply revert to their addiction very soon after they have recovered the after effects of their deprivation.

Even if it does not kill them, shoving them into a padded cell will cause them considerable harm and will not cure them of their addiction. Weaning an addict off drugs first and foremost requires their co-operation and their will to succeed (something which many of them, by virtue of their addiction, simply do not have). It then needs a lengthy period of controlled and supervised withdrawal.

Your question “why do we pamper drug addicts?” I think should really be “DO we pamper drug addicts?” I was not aware that we did do so. Although you could say their addiction is self-inflicted (in the same way that breaking your leg whilst skiing could be) they have an illness and I don’t believe that trying to treat that illness can be described as “pampering”.