Illegal drug use continues to make headlines in New England and across the nation. The Equinox does not condone illegal activity, but firmly believes the issue of mental health associated with drug use and crime is overlooked.
We do not agree with crime, we condemn it. However, we do not believe this country is doing enough to ensure users and addicts receive the help they need to become healthy.
More efforts to establish more opportunities for rehabilitation should be made. Time behind bars does not solve the problem—finding resources that will help addicts break their addictions is what will end drug-related crime.
We have become too focused on justice as the only form of action. Not every individual has the tools he or she needs to get better. We must provide them.
It is the government’s job to make sure that enough efficient programs exist to provide people with the opportunity to break unhealthy habits.
Erin D’Aleo / Graphics Editor
More government funding needs to go to mental health facilities and into educating the public about drug use rather than increasing and changing law consequences, especially privatized prisons whose purpose is profit, not rehabilitation.
Also, more options for concerned family members and friends need to be made available as addiction affect individuals beyond the addict.
The Equinox believes in the justice system. It is important to note that justice is not always the sole solution to a problem.
At the end of the day we are all human and we all need to continuously support those who are struggling. Illegal drug use may not be new to Americans, but new strategies must be used to attack this problem rather than attack the people.
It is absolutely necessary to focus on improving mental health. In order to recover, we must uncover what issues stem from and begin with the addiction. Jail will not help these people— but better programs can.
