Issue Position: Smart Drug Policy

Issue Position

More police alone won't help solve the opiate problem. Nor will further criminalizing the users. I agree that some doctors need to be more judicious in prescribing opiate pain relievers. However, I also believe in a maintenance program wherein the addict is given counseling along with a maintenance dose. It is the most cost effective and humane way to deal with drug addiction. There are neurotoxins that are coming on the market in the near future, which will alleviate pain but not cause addiction as they don't effect the central nervous system or brain functions. That will stop the gateway effect from legal pain meds. But until then we need to draw from medical personnel, counseling personnel and from law enforcement in order to have a comprehensive policy. We need to make sure that emergency personnel can prevent unnecessary overdoses with the necessary drugs.

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