You probably just received an unexpected email from the journalist Michael Shellenberger, with a big new story by the two of us on Biden’s imminent decision on whether to legalize supervised drug consumption sites. Michael and I have been collaborating closely for some time now, both in our reporting and on his run for California Governor.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how the authoritarians who run our country can be so extremely libertarian in this one area. What game are they playing here? What’s their motivation? It certainly isn’t principled support for civil liberties. I don’t get it.
We should legalize safe consumption sites and other harm prevention measures like providing clean needles and naloxone (Narcan). It saves lives, thousands in San Francisco alone.
Harm prevention is not enough alone, we also need to provide access to drug rehab on demand and use naltrexone and other promising treatments. A serious commitment to keeping people off drugs would mean a much more comprehensive intervention including long term assistance in housing, jobs and building a social network to help stay sober. Current rehab methods are woefully inadequate with a less than 10% success rate.
Arresting drug users is worse than useless, as drugs are easy to get on the inside and putting them in jail has no impact on drug use, drug price or availability. Arresting drug dealers is similarly useless, though this idea will not go down well with this crowd.
Being involved in the political decisions around Addactions, homelessness, crime
I plead, "Legalization or Legalization " is NOT the answer unless its hand in hand with programs that face the complex human, HUMAN. Social, Economic, political, legleslative, judicial, hand UP rather than a Hand OUT Forces at play.
We who have long worked for Equal Opportunities for all need to hear your short and long term objectives.
How is this a useful pathway towards a society where "Self medication" is not necessary and Opportunities to fully exercise personal Responsibility are offered and rewarded with out corruption
Leighton, since we had a cordial disagreement about harm reduction and the war on drugs, I've thought more about your views. I think you might be interested in the perspective of Julian Somers, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Simon Fraser University, who, on the basis of some fascinating research, argues against the "safe supply" and supervised injection sites approach that is in place in BC in favour of therapeutic communities in or close to the communities where they lived before migrating to, for these research subjects, Vancouver's downtown east side. Interestingly, with respect to the issue of involuntary treatment we discussed, Somers argues that the BC government's stated reservations about involuntary treatment are hypocritical given the number of drug-addicted people who end up being admitted to hospital or prison involuntarily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8CGWDzhtho
Leighton, I don’t hear your voice in PUBLIC, the articles don’t sound like you. I’ve just reread four or five of your pieces. Your voice is so calm and methodical. Michael is much louder, not in a bad way but very different.
Sweet! Love to see your powers combine into a new supersite! We're getting more powerful every day!!!
Congrats, love both of your work, can't wait to see you guys work together more often
Shellenberger is a great journalist and excited to see the work you two will put out as a team.
Congratulations!
Great! Smart!!!
Thanks for the good read.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how the authoritarians who run our country can be so extremely libertarian in this one area. What game are they playing here? What’s their motivation? It certainly isn’t principled support for civil liberties. I don’t get it.
We should legalize safe consumption sites and other harm prevention measures like providing clean needles and naloxone (Narcan). It saves lives, thousands in San Francisco alone.
Harm prevention is not enough alone, we also need to provide access to drug rehab on demand and use naltrexone and other promising treatments. A serious commitment to keeping people off drugs would mean a much more comprehensive intervention including long term assistance in housing, jobs and building a social network to help stay sober. Current rehab methods are woefully inadequate with a less than 10% success rate.
Arresting drug users is worse than useless, as drugs are easy to get on the inside and putting them in jail has no impact on drug use, drug price or availability. Arresting drug dealers is similarly useless, though this idea will not go down well with this crowd.
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2018/03/more-imprisonment-does-not-reduce-state-drug-problems
go fuck yourself let people be safe
I think this is a good decision, but can my paid subscription here please be transfer there?
Best of luck to us ALL,
Being involved in the political decisions around Addactions, homelessness, crime
I plead, "Legalization or Legalization " is NOT the answer unless its hand in hand with programs that face the complex human, HUMAN. Social, Economic, political, legleslative, judicial, hand UP rather than a Hand OUT Forces at play.
We who have long worked for Equal Opportunities for all need to hear your short and long term objectives.
How is this a useful pathway towards a society where "Self medication" is not necessary and Opportunities to fully exercise personal Responsibility are offered and rewarded with out corruption
Peace and prosperity Through responsibilities 🙏
I recently discovered your work and his. Love to see the growth!
Leighton, since we had a cordial disagreement about harm reduction and the war on drugs, I've thought more about your views. I think you might be interested in the perspective of Julian Somers, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Simon Fraser University, who, on the basis of some fascinating research, argues against the "safe supply" and supervised injection sites approach that is in place in BC in favour of therapeutic communities in or close to the communities where they lived before migrating to, for these research subjects, Vancouver's downtown east side. Interestingly, with respect to the issue of involuntary treatment we discussed, Somers argues that the BC government's stated reservations about involuntary treatment are hypocritical given the number of drug-addicted people who end up being admitted to hospital or prison involuntarily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8CGWDzhtho
Leighton, I don’t hear your voice in PUBLIC, the articles don’t sound like you. I’ve just reread four or five of your pieces. Your voice is so calm and methodical. Michael is much louder, not in a bad way but very different.
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/george-orwells-politics-and-the-english
Woot woot!