Pubdate: Mon, 24 Feb 2014
Source: Journal Gazette (Mattoon, IL)
Copyright: 2014sJournal Gazette
Contact:  http://www.jg-tc.com/index.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4180
Author: Shelley Epperson

TRUTH ABOUT DRUGS THE RIGHT APPROACH

I am writing in response to the February 5 guest editorial entitled, 
"Drug abuse is deadly" and the February 6 column by Penny Weaver 
entitled, "Drugs are bad-how complicated is that, anyway?"

I found the guest editorial to be somewhat empathetic and I applaud 
their understanding that many addicts die every day whether it's from 
an overdose or poor health because of their drug use.

It's important to remember that while the faces of celebrities are 
familiar and their talents appreciated, the vast majority of addicts 
won't be remembered for their talent, but only for the way they died. 
They are labeled and disregarded as the trash of society.

I had some hope that the guest editorial would bring some humanity to 
a serious health problem until I read the last paragraph.

I disagree with the phrase, 'may be a disease'. More than three 
decades of research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse 
(NIDA) prove that addiction is a complex brain disease.

Most addiction research agrees that the cause of addiction occurs in 
the midbrain and involves the dysfunction of the neurotransmitter 
dopamine. Lungs get sick, hearts get sick, stomachs get sick and 
brains get sick, too.

Suffering from a disease does not excuse the addict from the pain 
they cause their loved ones or the crimes they commit while under its 
effects, but it provides the correct context for the way they are 
regarded and treated by society.

In both columns the writers indicate the answer is simple; don't start!

The "Just Say No" campaign has been a documented failure for more 
than 30 years. The NIDA has determined that addiction is a complex 
brain disease. They go on to say that 90% of addicts start using 
drugs when the adolescent brain hasn't fully developed.

The adolescent brain's biggest challenges are poor impulse control, 
judgment, coping skills and a tendency towards reckless behavior. All 
of this makes teens very susceptible to this disease and less likely 
to "Just Say No".

To begin to understand the disease, please read the book by David 
Sheff called, "Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's 
Greatest Tragedy".

In the appendix, the author notes: "In a survey commissioned by the 
Partnership at drugfree.org, teenagers were asked what would dissuade 
them from using drugs. Essentially they said: The truth."

In other words, "Just Say Know". Proper education is essential to 
prevent addiction and more research is needed to provide better 
treatment for those afflicted.

Sincerely,

Shelley Epperson

Mattoon
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