This week Gov. Chris Christie made waves on the Internet with this video talking about the problem with drug addiction treatment. Christie expressed that there needs to be a change in how Americans view and treat drug addiction. There's a stigma in our society that it's someone's own fault for being addicted to drugs because they chose to do the drugs and so they don't deserve help. It's up to them to fix the problem they got themselves into. With two personal accounts, Christie proves how inaccurate and problematic that argument is. We finally have an influential politician shedding light on something that needs to be changed.
Yes, it's true you can't recognize addiction until you consume that substance. However, people are influenced to turn to drugs when going through different times in life. That doesn't make drug use okay, but people make mistakes. You didn't have to drink excessively in college, but you probably did. You didn't have to smoke that cigarette to impress someone, but you probably did. You didn't have to take painkillers after a surgery or injury, but you probably did. Why are these drugs and situations considered more acceptable than addiction to any other drugs?
We need to stop shaming and blaming. We need to stop categorizing drugs because they all cause damage. Anyone can be an addict.
As Gov. Christie said, "We need to give them the tools they need to recover because every life is precious. Every life is an individual gift from God. We have to stop judging and start giving them the tools they need to get better."
