In every newspaper of significance, across the Internet and on the airwaves, arguments rage back and forth about the legalization of illicit drugs. Just months ago, the only drug under legalization scrutiny was marijuana. Now, legalization advocates have extended the argument to include cocaine and heroin, drugs that are much more often the target of rehabilitation stays.
Arguments in favor of legalization offer such humanitarian benefits as “less drug-related violence,” “less illness,” “use would still be a public nuisance that could be fined,” “drugs would be purer, less contaminated and under controlled distribution.”
The legalization movement is an utter reversal of Nancy Reagan’s message of the 1980s, “Just say no to drugs.” At that time, Americans were not willing to throw up their hands and admit defeat.
The argument to legalize these drugs is a blatant admission that those who are supposed to treat the addicted or reduce demand have no successful way of doing so. I work at Narconon Arrowhead, a large drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education center in Oklahoma, and I do so to give people a chance to live drug- and alcohol-free. I am not willing to throw up my hands and admit defeat.
What mother in America thinks that legalizing heroin, cocaine or marijuana is a path to success? I didn’t have this attitude with my son when I discovered that he was smoking pot and drinking at the age of 12. It took a little time and some hard work, but I made sure that he learned why to be drug-free. He has been free from any such problems for ten years.
Today, I decided to find out for myself whether or not legalizing heroin had any merit. I sought out a Narconon graduate who had been a heroin addict for decades but who is now completely drug- and alcohol-free. I asked him what effect heroin, just the drug itself, had created on him and his life. He told me, “If you take away the effect of the illegal acts that made me homeless and put me in jail, the drug itself robbed me of my life. I was anesthetized. I could not feel happiness. I would not want this to happen to anyone.”
Since I’ve been at Narconon, I have seen people recover from a degraded and debased condition and be restored to vigor, health and enjoyment of life. I see it happen every day. If it’s possible to give those who have been addicted to heroin, cocaine, OxyContin, marijuana, methamphetamine or alcohol enjoyable, drug-free lives again, why should we admit defeat? When recovery is possible, it is not necessary to knuckle under to spurious claims that legalization is the only solution.
If anyone wants to find out for themselves how Narconon brings about this recovery, they can call us at 800.468.6933 or visit our website at www.stopaddiction.com Myself, I will continue to champion a drug-free future for all Americans.
– Column by Karen Hadley
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