I got a lot of feedback on last month’s newsletter commentary on whether stigmatizing drug use is a helpful prevention tool or a harmful barrier to getting help. It was fascinating! A lot of those thoughts are summarized in the quote above, but here are a few more from readers:
“With those making choices who are under 21 and with the deadly drugs out there its a more difficult issue. Pluses and Minuses.”
“I’m not sure I buy an argument that stigma/shame should be avoided. Sure, wecan overdo it. But we nudge people toward help with a variety of carrots and sticks.”
“I think shame does harm more than good. It is judgement, which we cannot make. We aren’t God and we don’t know all the circumstances. Not helpful.”
“Stigma is not good…the argument made that making it criminal will help someone seek help is false.”
Maybe what we’re looking for is a middle ground where the use of harder drugs isn’t normalized but it’s also not criminalized. It’s worth finding this middle space instead of letting celebration or incarceration win the day.
If you hit reply, it comes straight to me. I always appreciate thoughts, pushback, and stories.
Speaking of stories, our Community Discussion in Bay St. Louis was filled with people sharing incredible stories. From a woman who had only been sober for a few weeks after years of addiction to a state trooper hearing the ideas we present for the first time, it was full of honesty, curiosity, and respectful dialogue.
We’re coming to Jackson, MS, next month!