There is an epidemic of individuals dying or becoming debilitated by using recreational mind-altering drugs. America appears to be so focused on providing treatment it has all but forgotten the important role of formulating the questions of why.
Motive and opportunity to use mind-altering drugs: opportunity is an easy question and answer — illegal drugs are everywhere. The present government war on drugs in a host of ways is considered a failure by many. That leaves the big question of why. That is the question that most, other than in a superficial way, do not want to ask.
Any of a thousand activities can give a person a feeling of well-being; most take some effort. Many of the movies today glamorize drugs and the use of drugs as a shortcut to well-being. If a new marijuana shop opens, it is going to get big coverage in a local newspaper. Without being cursed by nagging social questions faced by individuals in the ‘60s, casual drug use today has gone to the point of “push it as far as you can” for many.
We know why recreational mind-altering drugs are here — because people want them. Even the government has authorized the use of mind-altering drugs as a way to make money. The question that needs to be asked and answered is “Why do people take recreational drugs to the point of dying?”
Faith Myers and Dorrance Collins,
Anchorage