Protestantism

» pink101 - Drug Addiction In America

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Another of my musings has been about crack addiction.
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I ran a very successful business for several years until some crack addicts came to work for me.
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This thread is created to bring attention to the problem America is facing due to drug addiction. Needless to say, I hate hard drug addiction such as cocaine, heroin, and meth-amphetamine. The people who perpetuate it as dealers and suppliers are the scum of the Earth that deserve the harshest penalties possible..
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I have just recently learned of a scam in which addicts--on welfare--turn their monthly food allowance credit card over to a dealer in order to get their habit satisfied. And, the addicts are forced to get their food from church food banks.
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Are you aware of any other such scams.
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-- posted by pink101

» Migisi - Drug Addiction In America

In response to Drug Addiction In America posted by pink101:

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turn their monthly food allowance credit card over to a dealer
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Not a new problem, Pink. Before the EBT cards (electronic benefit transfer), the paper food stamps were stolen, traded, and trafficked. However, with paper stamps, the recipient or holder HAD to redeem them for food. The stamps couldn't be turned into cash. So, drug dealers weren't really interested in being paid in stamps.
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But with this EBT card, the government deposits cash into the recipient's account monthly. It's used like an ordinary bank debit card - allegedly so the user won't be stigmatized as a welfare recipient and going through the check out line goes faster. The holder can access the account through an ATM using the recipient's PIN, and draw out the cash. This is what I've been told by my disabled sister, who has an EBT card.

-- posted by Migisi

» paper_turtle - Drug Addiction In America

In response to Drug Addiction In America posted by pink101:

This thread is created to bring attention to the problem America is facing due to drug addiction.
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The real problem,as I see it, is WHY people are taking drugs. If we're serious about addressing the issue, we need to look at the root causes. Simply telling people they shouldn't, and making drugs illegal obviously isn't working.
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And once we have an idea of the root causes, we need to work to see to it that these causes are addressed, regardless on what it costs.
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Yes, SOME people on welfare use their government-provided funds for illegal and destructive purposes. But they aren't the only ones with drug problems. How many celebrities have been arrested for drug usage? And do you have any idea how many middle-class families are torn apart by drugs (or alcohol)? Do you know how many young people from supposedly "good" families are becoming addicts before they even enter high school?
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I think the attitude towards people with addictions is part of the problem. If you've never been addicted to anything, then you don't understand how pervasive the problem is. But the thing is, nearly every single person is addicted to something--coffee, doughnuts, anger, the Internet, prescription medications, crossword puzzles, sugar, and on and on. Would you like to try going off your "drug of choice" cold turkey?
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Drug Addiction In America

In response to Drug Addiction In America posted by paper_turtle:

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What do you think addiction has to do with resentment building?
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Anything?
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Drug Addiction In America

In response to Drug Addiction In America posted by pink101:

No. I don't think resentment is the major factor. As I see it resentment causes people to act out; they express it through aggression, physical abuse, vandalism.

I think some people are so swamped by their own misery they can't see past it. I would say despair or fear is the major cause of addiction. Drugs provide a form of escape, and those who willingly enslave themselves to something do so in denial--because they are so desperate to feel better they convince themselves they are immune to the consequences.

peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Just A Minute, Sister Turtle

In response to Drug Addiction In America posted by paper_turtle:
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Just a minute, Sister Turtle. Do you see what you have done?
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Look.
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This was my post:
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"What do you think addiction has to do with resentment building?
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"Anything?"
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Look how you twisted it:
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No. I don't think resentment is the major factor.
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I don't think you meant to do that; but, by making that statement, it appears I said that it IS the major factor. Did I?
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Just A Minute, Sister Turtle

In response to Just A Minute, Sister Turtle posted by pink101:

I somehow missed the "what" in your question, which then left it open to interpretation. In other words, I took "has to do with" as referring to a causative factor.
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If you are asking if drug abuse has to do with resent building, against whom is the resentment building?
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If you are saying that people resent people on welfare because they are taking drugs, then this is a false statement. Drug addiction is by no means confined only to people on welfare alone.
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Middle-class children who are drug addicts are engaging in criminal behavior to support their habit. Are the target of society's resentment? Those who have enough disposable income to be able to afford their habit are placing huge drains on society in many other ways. Do we resent them?
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Pointing the finger at people on welfare is, to my way of thinking, only a smoke screen. People on welfare are very frequently the scapegoat becuase they are an obvious target, and they don't usually fight back.
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They are blamed for the deterioration in morals. They are blamed when the economy takes a nose dive. They are blamed when the middle class takes another hit. And on and on and on.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Cathected

In response to Just A Minute, Sister Turtle posted by paper_turtle:
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A cathected person is stuck in a cycle of which they are generally unaware. They think and do things almost in an automatic way. I know you are not that way.
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I am a one hundred percent supporter of people who are down and out and I give my full weight of support to those people who are put into a situation where they need welfare. I would counsel and advise them to get whatever they can obtain in every case while, at the same time, I would do what I could to help them get out of their present fix. You never have to worry about my desire to uplift anyone.
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But, I do know there are cheats. So, we can drop the idea that I think welfare recipients are cheats--it's the other way around. Some cheats are welfare recipients. I hope you have that clear about how I think about welfare.
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I am all for work programs that provide those unemployed people who are otherwise able with jobs--government programs like the CCC and the WPA during the Great Depression era saved a lot of lives and make great economic sense. Much work needs to be done to our infrastructure and taxes could easily be raised to improve everyone's life style--everyone's!
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Do I think resentment building plays a part in addiction? Does addiction involve some activity or substance that is not good for the addict; but, that gives the addict some sense of satisfaction or pleasure? Often. Crack addicts know full well that crack is a bad thing in the overall picture. Do they know enough to stay away from crack? Yes. Do they stay away from it? No. So, why do they continue to go back and abuse it?
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Can you direct your response narrowly to my last question?
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-- posted by pink101