BY STEVEN KASZAB
I see a woman in the night,
with a baby in her hand
under an old streetlight
near a garbage can.
Now she puts the kid away
and she’s gone to get a hit.
She hates her life,
and what she’s done with it.
There’s one more kid
that will never go to school
Never get to fall in love,
never get to be cool.
Many of our politicians are speaking about legalizing the possession of drugs. A small, personal use amount they say. They see this as a quick fix to the many problems that illegal drug use has placed upon society.
They think that if your neighbours can carry drugs around with them, use them legally that the horrible effects of drugs will somehow level off, perhaps happen less frequently. They are sorely mistaken. Addiction, addiction and addiction is what they seem to ignore.
Whether legal or illegally obtained, possibly supplied by your local government so they can manage it and make some coin too. Humans can become addicted to anything, and addiction can only be managed if someone or some agency is willing to invest in the rehabilitation and medical management of each and every drug addict.
Are governments prepared to do so? Are governments prepared to establish long-term programs, facilities and rehabilitation centres throughout the country? There are a lot of addicts out there in need of their next hit or direct help. Legalizing pot was a first step, yet our governments have not realized the increased addiction levels of their clients. Making something once illegal legal is a whole massive process that most governments are unable to manage or even prepared to do.
Services will be necessary that include:
- Clinics established to wean addicts off their drug of choice
- Hotels, psychiatric centres that can house many of these patients
- Family assistance…help families of those addicted
- Trained addiction council by the thousands
Much more, along with a multibillion-dollar cost since addiction treatment is long-term. The heavy drugs have massive effects upon the addict, and those who use heavy drugs will need more time then lets say those addicted to pot.
Young and old are suffering, members of every race, creed, and financial level in our society. All in need, often hidden by themselves and their families who cannot deal with the stigma brought upon them.
Many hundreds of trained personnel will be needed to find the student, worker, lawyer, medical professional who is addicted. Addiction often equals death. Only through our realization that this disease affects everyone will something be done. Every minute in Canada, a life is lost due to the use of drugs.
There is so much that needs to be done!
