Freedom columnist admits that West Coast's approach to combating the drug crisis has failed
New York Times public opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof admitted on Saturday that West Coast liberals’ “loose” stance on drugs was the wrong approach.
The columnist wrote an article admitting that fewer and fewer punitive methods are being dealt with, almost resulting in the death of one of his old friends.
“However, the same is true of Drew's recent fall into addiction, partly due to a loose culture of liberty for drugs on the West Coast. It would have been compassionate, but almost killed him (and killed many of my other ones). Friend), “columnist reflected.
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New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof condemned the “permitted” approach to drug addiction in the recent column. (Fox News)
Famous West Coast cities such as San Francisco and Portland have been damaged by the drug crisis in recent years. Coincidentally, local laws on drug properties have been relaxed. For example, Oregon legalized drug possession in 2021, leading Portland leaders to work to combat public drug use.
Critics accused California's Proposal No. 47 (signed into law in 2014) of worsening San Francisco because it reclassified six minor felony crimes into California misdemeanors, including less than $950 in ticket sales and possession of drugs.
Kristof admits in his column that he himself believes these more compassionate policies are good for the community because he sees his friend, a homeless fentanyl addict.
“As a good liberal, I used to object to arresting people for drug use. I think they need health care, not handcuffs. But to my surprise, I found myself praying for my old friend Drew Gove (Drew) Goff will be arrested,” the columnist reflected.
Kristof pointed out how Portland's drug laws are loose compared to laws regarding alcohol or cigarette consumption. When using fentanyl, it is usually limited or prohibited on the West Coast. ”
The column will appear in the New York Times’ print edition Sunday.
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People pass by a woman in a wheelchair near Union Square in San Francisco on Thursday, December 2, 2021 in San Francisco, homeless tents, open drug use, family breaking in and dirty streets in large Breed during epidemics. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Kristof broke the crisis throughout the crisis, writing: “Since 2000, the United States has lost more than one million people to take medicine, more than the number of Americans lost in all wars over the past 150 years. All wars, including the two world wars.”
However, the authors have not restored the tough measures to advocate for the Republican-driven crime policy, retaining a lot of criticism for this. He added: “Drew's journey constitutes a condemnation of liberals and conservatives. Drew is the third generation in his family who struggled with addiction, and his life reflects the half-century war of right-wing drugs Failed, only with criminal justice combat toolbox.”
“Neither Democrats nor Republicans have solved this problem by the seriousness or nuances they deserve,” he announced.
Nevertheless, he remains concerned about the fact that the West Coast region is decriminalized and fateful drug use has contributed to the crisis.
“Oregon legalized a small amount of hard drugs in a referendum in 2020, Drew said the lack of punishment played a role in his decision to return to drugs.’ His benefits outweighed the consequences for me.”
The authors point out that people on the West Coast proposed fewer punitive drugs policies and were reluctant to “judgment people’s choices”, a dynamic that led to a thriving drug crisis.
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He cited the executive director of a Portland-based Center for Addiction Prevention that expresses the appropriate approach that people must attract people: “'He told me it is impossible to stigmatize drug users.”
Kristof added that the director’s view is that reducing harm can save lives, but the best way to save lives is to establish “norms against drug use.”
The author then provides his own solution to the crisis, blending addict’s compassion with more traditional measures.
“This means we should reduce dogma and navigate the middle path. Criminal sanctions on the right instinctively achieve criminal sanctions, while the left in the left can reduce supportive damage, but an effective toolbox requires sticks and carrots.”
Kristof mentioned his friend again, saying he had recovered his life in prison, saying: “Drew made bad choices but blamed a lot. Conservatives boycotted Possibly helping him social security network In childhood, liberals put him in trouble with non-judgmental tolerance.
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