Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a health problem. We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are nonviolent drug users.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Addiction is a medical issue requiring health treatment rather than criminal punishment.
- In plain terms
- Treat addiction as a health issue, not a crime.
- What can you take from it?
- Decriminalize nonviolent drug use to reduce jail overcrowding.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should drug users be punished or treated?
- How should society handle nonviolent offenses?
Another view
Some argue this approach does not address accountability for drug-related crimes.
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