Why must our government enable all forms of addiction in order to make money?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Injection and inhalation sites provided (enabling and not stopping addicts).

Casinos being built everywhere (revenue);

The business of alcohol sales booming (revenue);

Marijuana legalized and being sold and managed by Governments (revenue).

Prostitution in the EU and some states in the US legalized long ago (revenue).

Many politicians and special interest groups working to get other illicit drugs legalized, and possibly: sold, managed, and regulated by governments (revenue).

Our governments have agencies that promote the sale of: alcohol, casinos and some drugs as though they were promoting a lifestyle for the rich and famous, knowing that the average working stiff is the one becoming addicted to these items and services, not just the rich.

The rich go to Monaco to gamble, not your local casino, or even Vegas. Governmental efforts are entrapping our fellow citizens no matter where they may be located. In the Caribbean many hotels have casinos and happy hour too. The range of ways we the deluded can part from our hard earned money is endless. Someone can wait to be serviced in a casino, drinking a glass of bubbly, while playing online casino games, all the time feeling the effects of the drugs they consumed not too long ago. Our governments thirst for revenue is boosting their policy making, encouraging them to get involved in what once was services and items from the wrong side of the tracks.

Our government’s inability to stop the practice of making and selling illicit drugs has motivated them to proclaim, “If we cannot beat them, join them.” Governments must consider many factors before going headlong into the abyss of the addicted.

Does the government have a responsibility to the addicted?

How far does this responsibility go? Are governments responsible for the rehabilitation, housing and medical care of addicted individuals?

There will be a day when those drugs considered illegal will become in some way legal. Will the government be prepared for such a situation?

Who will suffer the cost for an addict’s rehabilitation, medical passage and housing?

Presently those addicted cannot find available programs to assist them in their passage towards rehabilitation. That is the situation now throughout North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. Not enough medical professionals, nor psychologists or therapists to meet our present demand. Young and old are threatened by this moral and ethical policy developing in many nations.

Will a return to hospital institutionalization occur in the future, places where individuals can reside and recover from their addictions, a place of no judgment, but a place of healing? That will cost money too.

A vicious cycle of financial demands can and will come upon us all; just some thoughts to ponder.