Quote Originally Posted by ZoraSpook View Post
Agree completely on the last point in that when a person dies the tough thing if first admitting to themselves they have s problem and need help that acceptance of personal responsibility is the paramount point and turning point where availability of counseling and housing needs be provided. We agree on that sir.

Now take the person that uses drugs and drives under the influence. Stopped for tail light out, cop smells the reefer that’s probable cause to believe driver might represent a potential safe driving threat to others. I know neither you or I want a friend, family member, or relative injured because sone one under the influence failed to drive safely. I know we agree on that.

That driver if under the influence needs arrested to get him out from behind the wheel. And when he’s release on bail/ pending trial his probation ought to include counseling to see if the person takes responsibility. If they do, the I say sentence them to probation and mandatory counseling and if they fail to appear for that betraying the courts trust that they want to get better, then lick them up and while locked up sign them back up for the 12 step process and counseling while we have them locked up affirming them “ free housing and meals and medical care” until they complete rehabilitation .

That’s not a lack off mercy but Care, that’s forcing someone to get better when they fail to be able to do so under their own control. To me, that is not cruel, it’s being unyielding to force someone to get help because we don’t want to see them come to harm because if a condition that is blocking their ability to get well.

I’m a retired vet and I agree a disabled vet coming home after an injury has to have the medical care needed available to them. DONT GET ME STARTED ON ALL THE WAYS VA COULD BE BETTER, my battery would go dead!

And I agree users ought be viewed just like any other person with a medical issue. As a vet I’ve had associates laugh when there were certain physical things my “ air droppable” knees would not let me do. I grinned, and turned and walked away, knowing **** well if I ever saw anyone attack them I’d still be the first to try to help stop it. Its not fun seeing a friend suffering and it’s **** hard living faced with the choice to force a friend to seek help. My batting average ***** on that account, some I helped and some I fell short. I carry that, and so I know that pain.
We are getting closer. But still you put too much power in the state to take away someones freedom unwillingly. The probable cause justification is simply something I cannot agree with on any level. They use weed to search because it is the only drug that has a real smell. I had some KILLER weed in my car up in michigan. Stunk to high heaven. Never once did I smoke before or on the road. But I smoke the hell out of it at camp. But with your rationale I should get charged and get sent to prison because of the SMELL. Which is BS.

Making them not illegal would drastically change care and outlook on users. It's a great divider, I've seen the strongest willed men succumb to addiction because the lack of empathy and understanding from our "hollier than thou" society.

Overdoses would not rise, crime would fall and more people would get help. We may be able to save someones friend, but others will say "hes a lost cause because he does (insert here)" which is the wrong mindset.

I've worked with rehab centers, handed out clean needles, any kind of harm reduction I can do within reason I try to do.

We need to look at "root cause" not the symptoms like you mentioned.