Drug Legalization Would Condemn Addiction and Recovery

It is quite unsettling how in the last few years the voices of the drug legalization movement have been making every argument in favor of drug use, while ignoring the consequences of addiction.  At the same time those opposing drug legalization have also let their voices be heard in opposition to this and rightly so.  Yet there is still a major void in the discussion in terms of recovery and most people in recovery with the exception of an uncounted few, have decided that it is best to stay out of such a complex and messy debate.  

Additionally, it is quite troubling that while we lack real solutions to the problems of addiction that can work for everyone, there are those who turn a blind eye to this reality.  Make no mistake about it; addiction is pure hell and in the mind of an addict, the language of our disease has nothing to do with whether drugs are legal or illegal.  We wrongly think about whether our drugs are easy to get, if we can afford them and whether and for how long we can hide our drug use from those we love.

The most tragically convenient thing that could happen to a drug addict, would be that drugs were legal.  Legal drugs would feed the addiction and would keep an addict afflicted, numb and out of touch, which is most simply put, part of the nature of addiction.  That is until the addiction kills because we can be sure about one thing:  A real addict is not someone who sees him or herself actually quitting.  Ever. It takes serious measures and even consequences to change the way we see things. 

Our greatest social problem is that addiction has it’s own dialogue and is in part socially condoned.  Take for example so-called “Medical Marijuana.”  People who know they do not meet the criteria of a seriously ill cancer patient, that “just want to get high”, are willing to call themselves patients, lie about aliments so they can obtain a doctor’s recommendation and have not a moment of conscience about it.  By condoning this behavior, we are raising a new breed of liars who are not willing to own up to their behavior.  

If we don’t draw the line and send a message that this is not acceptable, we will keep on condoning drug abuse through inaction.  Legalization of drugs would be the ultimate condoning of such inaction and would reward the disgraceful behavior of those breaking drug laws. 

Owning up to drug use means calling things what they are.  Owning up to our behavior in recovery means surrendering to the game of drug abuse and stepping into life on life’s terms.  In recovery we have to own up to who are, who we were, what we were and who we have become because of it.  As we grow, people in recovery find that there is a worthwhile life waiting for us if we are willing to take charge of our life and grow towards becoming mature human beings with a purpose. Drug legalization crushes such promise.