The lights of downtown are breathtaking, walking down 16th street mall. Everything is so inviting. Well, almost everything. On one trip to Denver, I walked by a poor-looking man. He seemed to be sleeping on the cold, hard pavement. His skin was incredibly pale, and I observed that the man’s innards were nearly visible. His quasi-transparent skin left more to be desired. The man’s demeanor, passed out on the less-than-appropriate bedding, was rather unsightly, especially with the syringe with a bent needle napping next to him. There could have definitely been more meat on his bones, as well as just more life in him, in general. The crooks of his arms were scabbed and looked as if they were pin cushions in a past life. The balding head on his rather knobby shoulders held a face that lacked something. His eyes looked as though he hadn’t slept in weeks, and his tattered and ripped clothes suggested that he doesn’t have the funds for sufficient, well anything. He was emaciated, tired, and tattered.
This man is a drug addict. He has a serious problem that needs to be dealt with. Otherwise, his health could worsen, causing things to become much worse for this poor soul. The place for this man to go is a drug rehabilitation center. But what happens if the man can’t get to the drug rehab center? What happens if he chooses not to get help? Nothing good comes of those things.
First off, let’s define what drug addiction is. According the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NDIA): “Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences”. In essence, drug addiction is not something that can stop itself. It’s not necessarily something that people can stop on their own accord, either. Sometimes, when people try to relieve themselves of their drug issue, they go through withdrawals, and other serious symptoms. They may be driven to do whatever they need to do to feed their addiction. That’s why drug addiction is such a serious and complicated issue. Isn’t it appropriate that a complex illness receive appropriate treatment? That’s where the rehab centers come into play.
What good is a drug rehab center? One might argue that a junkie is a junkie, and that is unchangeable.
This statement isn’t necessarily true. Drug rehab can be very effective. Based on several scientific studies: “drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent and significantly decreases criminal activity during and after treatment." Drug treatment isn’t a simple two step process, though. There are various procedures that need to take place in order for rehabilitation to be effective. NIDA offers some facts about drug addiction treatment. It is important to for both medication and counseling to occur for drug rehabilitation to be effective, as well as ensuring that these treatments are constantly monitored. It also very essential for treatment to be readily available.
One of the larger problems with drug addiction treatment is that people simply don’t go in for treatment: “according to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 23.2 million persons…needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007. Of these individuals, 2.4 million (10.4 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment at a specialty facility (i.e., hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center)." So if you know someone that is addicted to drugs, tell them you are concerned. Gently coax them towards the idea of rehab. You may not know how much you’re doing when you simply bring up the idea. When those who are addicted to drugs and illegal substances get the help they need, they can “return…to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and community.” Isn’t it important to be happy and successful? How can one be these things when they are constantly clinging to something that is a serious danger to their health? And through the use of various medicinal and behavioral therapies, those who are addicted to drugs can start on the road to recovery.
So the next question is why should those that aren’t addicted have to help those that are? They became addicted themselves. Shouldn’t they have to get themselves un-addicted?
Every action has a consequence. But how good is a nation if there is a portion of people that heavily abuse illegal substances? The United States is a country that is for the greater good. Don’t we want people to be healthy and happy? As well as that, isn’t it nice to be high up on the totem pole of the world? In other words, don’t we like being a strong nation? If those that need the help get the help, we can work to become a stronger nation.
It’s important for those that need the help, get the help. Our job to help relieve drug addicts of their addiction is to support them in their decision to get help, as well as providing places where they can receive treatment. So long as this happens, we won’t have people that are as miserable as the man I saw on 16th street.
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