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This brief expose’ below is the inevitable outcome of ever permissive drug policy interpretations. This is happening in several States in the U.S. and it is literally a nightmare, not only for the hapless substance user, but all those around them.  The A.C.T. in Australia have just stepped into this space and the proponents of this toxic experiment will work tirelessly to sanitize the outcomes.

However, if drug addiction is a ‘disease’ then fundamental aetiology of disease management is being utterly ignored. The two fundamentals are to reduce both exposure and susceptibility to said ‘disease’. Increased permission for drug use is antithetical to best practice disease management – it only increases exposure and susceptibility to the potential for drug use disorders and addiction. This is shocking bad #publichealth policy: 

NIGHTMARE CITY: How Portland’s Decriminalization Of Hard Drugs Destroyed The City

 
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also see 

‘Loving People to Death’ Seattle 

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COMMUNITY VOICES September, 2022 BECCI TEN BENSEL
Executive director for Women’s Rural Advocacy Programs

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, promoting new treatment options for those struggling with addiction and emphasizing the need for strong community support.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), a study found that physical domestic violence was 11 times more likely on days of heavy drinking or drug use. Domestic violence can appear in a variety of ways including physical, sexual, mental, emotional, financial, etc. (See also Role of Illicit Drug Use in Domestic Violence (Aust) and In supportive services for domestic violence victims, it is common knowledge that experts believe that domestic violence comes from a need to control others and have power over others.

Overall, there is no excuse for domestic violence and there is no one size fits all explanation as to why it occurs. However, when someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may lose inhibition control, which increases the risk for violence. This does not mean that all violent acts are contributed by drugs or alcohol, however there is a significant correlation between the two. (See also, Alcohol and drug use exacerbate family violence and can be dealt with )
Someone addicted to drugs or alcohol may have difficulty thinking rationally and they are more likely to act out violently. According to the ASAM, substance use disorders occur in between 40% to 60% of incidents of intimate partner violence. Alcohol was found to be a factor in 30% to 40% of incidents involving a male abuser, and 27% to 34% of incidents involving a female abuser.

Furthermore, if the victim of a domestic violence assault is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, they may have difficulties accurately assessing the danger that they are in and, in some situations, can worsen the situation, as well.

According to Addiction Group, data shows that 45% of abusive partners, which have been convicted of the murder, were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident that resulted in the death of the victim. In these cases, the average blood alcohol concentration was three times the legal limit. (See also Alcohol and Other Drug Use & Dating Violence. )

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) reports that women are more likely to do drugs with an intimate partner, whereas men are more likely to do drugs with other male friends. The NCDAS also reports that women participating in the drug trade is predominantly affected by socioeconomic vulnerability, economic difficulties, trafficking, violence, and intimate relationships. Meaning that women in abusive relationships are often forced to buy and sell illegal substances by their partner.

— Becci ten Bensel is executive director for Women’s Rural Advocacy Programs

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Seven times more people are initially accessing drug rehabilitation services after their release from prison since a new prison exit scheme was introduced in Tower Hamlets last year.

“Drugs can be a contributing factor of many crimes in Tower Hamlets, including burglaries, anti-social behaviour and knife violence. 

“Prisoners returning to drug use on their release means they are more likely to end up back in the vicious cycle of committing crimes to fund their habits. However, with this new scheme we are thrilled to see we are disrupting this pattern and giving people a chance to claim back their lives free from drugs after being released. 

“The prison exit scheme is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month. Its success is great news for our community as it is reducing crime and re-offending and helping people with drug addictions access support and improve their health.” 

The prison exit service is commissioned by Tower Hamlets Council and delivered by social enterprise Turning Point. 

(D.I. comment – This is one potential and vital outcome that is erased from the drug use exiting playbook, when you decriminalize, or worse legalize drug use. You don’t have to change the legal status of drug use to recalibrate the existing laws to facilitate exit from drug use without ultimate criminal sanctions. Drug or better labelled ‘Problem Solving Courts’ can leverage the illegality of drugs to better enable and equip exit from drug use, the cause of soooo many anti-social and community harming behaviours. Pro-drug activists care nothing for the addictive outcomes and destroyed lives of young people and their families – often irreversible harms to all. 

Also see 

• Problem Solving Courts ACT steering Drug Use Offenders away from serving jail time through rehab
• The Judicial Educator At Its Best – Law for Recovery + Drug Courts + Secure Welfare = Rehabilitation!

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