[elmomle]

Legalization is one key part; destigmatization is the other.

Those who understand addiction, either first-hand or through research, understand that the root problem is not the drug/habit; the drug/habit tends to be the addict's best known way to sooth immense psychological pain. Shame drives addiction in deeper. So to actually help addicts, one needs to destigmatize the conversation, allow people to say "Hey, I'm in a bad place and I need help" with minimal fear of being judged (the addict tends to already hate their self pretty profoundly). And given how human nature works, destigmatization depends on legality.

Stopping addiction isn't about judging addicts; it's about understanding the root cause of their problem (which tends to be intense emotional trauma) and giving them empathic help to start building healthy relationships.

[mc32]

I’m not saying we punish the user, but rather find a way to minimize availability.

Also, trauma is not always a cause for addiction. Lots of people suffer trauma and don’t get addicted, conversely we also have people with little trauma who get addicted.

[nickik]

> I’m not saying we punish the user, but rather find a way to minimize availability.

In 200 years history of drug suppression literally everything has been tried.

And yet, even in a high security prison, drugs are highly available.

If it can't be done in a max-security prison, how do you think it can work for a whole society?

What method of restricting supply has not been tried. The US has literally invaded other country to try to destroy supply bases. The military as whole division, billions spent on intercepting submarines.

Absurd high cost have been put on a dealer that is captured.

What is your solution to actually restrict supply in a meaningful way?

[drran]

Webcams reduced regular crime a lot. Artificial nose can do same for drug addicts.

[elmomle]

https://silvermistrecovery.com/blog/2018/09/2019-guide-the-l...

It isn't a 1:1 causal link--virtually nothing is. But there's very strong evidence that unprocessed trauma is one of the core drivers of addiction.

It's constructive to think of drugs and addictive behaviors as emotional crutches. You don't help people with problems walking by making crutches illegal; you do so by focusing on treating the root cause, which may include taking the crutch away in a properly supportive therapeutic environment.

I'd also point you to the experiments dubbed "Rat Park" (https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-does-rat-park-tea...). Addiction is ultimately a social/emotional disease; the drug/habit is the symptom.

[mc32]

I’m sympathetic to your POV.

However, sometimes there is no root cause other than “Hyacinth had me try sniffing some glue and I got hooked”.

Sure, some kids can say “no”, but many give in to peer pressure and after a few times there is no going back.

I do agree with a good therapeutic environment, but relapses are common, so it takes vigilance and follow up and so on.