There is already some compelling anecdata that warrants studying.
Rat park is one, and the doctor who prescribed heroin in the 60s is another.
The jist of it was that addicts stopped abusing when there was something better to live for. In the absence of community, opportunity, and hope, abuse abounded.
The reality of some people's experiences though is that while euphoric in the beginning, long term use leads to an unpleasurable mental haze. The lack of clarity becomes its own hell.
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The potential solution is likely unpopular and likely difficult to implement. Investing into communities that promote community along with incentives for economically depressed areas to be rebuilt, IMO would likely reduce opioid abuse.
But that's not nearly as popular as the moral displacement schadenfreude the people get by being able to point the finger at the drug abusers.
There is already some compelling anecdata that warrants studying.
Rat park is one, and the doctor who prescribed heroin in the 60s is another.
The jist of it was that addicts stopped abusing when there was something better to live for. In the absence of community, opportunity, and hope, abuse abounded.
The reality of some people's experiences though is that while euphoric in the beginning, long term use leads to an unpleasurable mental haze. The lack of clarity becomes its own hell.
----
The potential solution is likely unpopular and likely difficult to implement. Investing into communities that promote community along with incentives for economically depressed areas to be rebuilt, IMO would likely reduce opioid abuse.
But that's not nearly as popular as the moral displacement schadenfreude the people get by being able to point the finger at the drug abusers.