Best option for addiction moves more into treatment

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Instead of a split along party lines, the debate over how to address the issue of addiction in communities throughout Washington state has divided state lawmakers more along philosophical lines; on “carrot vs. stick,” whether to emphasize addiction treatment or punishment or, rather, a combination of those approaches.

For now, with bipartisan passage of a Senate bill last Friday that has now moved to the House for consideration, the potential resolution of the state Supreme Court’s Blake decision that ended felony prosecution for drug possession, has settled on using two tools in tandem: the threat of punishment and greater access to treatment.

Sponsored by state Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, Senate Bill 5536, splits the difference on punishment between the pre-Blake felony path and the current stop-gap law — which expires in July — of a misdemeanor charge.

Law enforcement and local government officials had complained that the current law has made it even more difficult to persuade people to seek treatment. Individuals could be charged with possession, but only on the third contact with law enforcement, with police and social workers only able to refer people to treatment on the first two contacts. Police complained that keeping track of prior contacts has been unworkable, and that without the threat of a charge, the referrals carry no weight for those suffering from addiction. As well, at the simple misdemeanor level, there are fewer options in court for diversion to treatment.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-best-option-for-addiction-moves-more-into-treatment/

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Such a complex and vexing problem. What we need is a drug ...

That can magically make somebody WANT to quit/get clean/sober.

That would be the panacea. Cause without the WANT ... outside forces have few options aside from locking them up and making them experience suffering until they want it themselves. And even that doesn't work all that often ... but then again, it probably works the most often.

I would bet that in a poll of addicts with a fair bit of clean time under their belt, a surprising majority would say ... "jail was what really got me sober".

They most likely had other treatment afterwards, don't get me wrong, 'jailtime' is not the full solution by any stretch.

But it's the only really viable option ATM (and all past moments) for MANY people for getting over the hump of 'wanting it' ... wanting treatment, and then wanting to do the WORK necessary.

You don't achieve significant remission from addiction/alcoholism by just talking with nice people and councilors and doctors and stuff. Something has to make you hit your bottom.

And for a lot of people, nothing but jail will do it.

And then after that, it's a lot of work that only the addict can do out of desire they have internally.

[intrepidity]

2. Have you been following recent research in psychedelics as Tx for addiction?

I'm only peripherally aware that it is ongoing and that good results are emerging. I can't recall whether it is psilosybin, or DMT, or MDMA, or ketamine, or what, but I think research is being done with all those, and more, for addiction aa well as trauma, depression, etc.

The war on drugs has stymied such work for decades, a whole generation really. Hopefully it gains the needed momentum to make up for lost time.