You may have seen on social media that I’m working on my first book! This week I’ve been writing about my childhood and how we use our imaginations.

This movement towards health-centered drug policies is primarily about preventing harm before it happens. But valuing prevention requires imagination.

Here’s why:

Kevin called me a couple of weeks ago asking for help finding gainful employment since he has a felony cocaine possession conviction.

But what if Kevin’s cocaine possession had been handled the same way as his neighbor’s alcohol possession? What if Kevin had never gotten a felony and had been able to work a regular job and provide for his family?

In the first scenario (what really happened), I can help someone who needs me. That feels really good, full of purpose. It takes no imagination to value that.

In the second scenario (what I hope will be true in a few years), I don’t even know that Kevin exists because he never got a felony or had trouble finding a job, so he never calls me. He doesn’t need me.

The prevention of Kevin’s need takes a lot more imagination to value than meeting his need. But which one is better for Kevin? 

Think of it this way: Would you rather someone stop a car from running over you, or let it run over you but make sure you get to a great hospital to fix all your broken bones?

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Ending drug prohibition is ultimately about stopping tomorrow’s harm before it happens. 

That requires imagination because it doesn’t make the news.

But it does change lives.