The criminalization of drug use serves as a tool for social control, targeting marginalized populations while instilling fear in the broader society.

It's bizarre that we can't access transformative medicines while opioids are still prescribed.

We need to stop punishing people who use substances, as sending them to jail sends a confusing message about addiction being a health problem.

Legalizing all drugs could lead to many addicts who wouldn't have been addicts otherwise, and it raises concerns about people's ability to handle them.

The prohibition of psychedelics in the 1970s was largely a political move to suppress social movements, and the stigma surrounding them continues to hinder their acceptance despite their potential for positive change.

Stigma surrounding addiction prevents individuals from seeking help, as they fear judgment and potential consequences like losing their job or children.

Those affected by addiction need science-based treatment, compassion, and a shift in societal perception to view addiction as a health issue rather than a moral failing. I think about how much time I lost with people I loved because of the tough love model, where I thought I shouldn't see them until they stopped using or drinking. You miss out on precious moments that you can't get back.

The drug problem is fundamentally a US issue, as the country is a major producer of synthetic drugs, and the financial flows from drug trafficking largely go through US banks. Additionally, the criminalization of marijuana lacks substantial medical evidence to justify it, and the American Medical Association has never supported its criminalization.

Many people mistakenly believe that simply stopping a substance will improve their life, but often it can get worse emotionally as they have to face life without their coping mechanism.