Is The Opioid Crisis The Government's Responsibility?

[Mazo EMS2]

I'm an EMT, and I've given Narcan a several times in the small response area we cover. It's frustrating, to say the least, to save someone's ars, then have them wake up from the dead all pizzed off. What burns me is that officers are now carrying narcan and saving people for free, people that had a choice to shoot up, but those who suffer from bee stings and other allergic reactions, that they cannot control, have to pay out the ars for epinephrine. That is F'ed up!!! It doesn't help that our medical and pharmaceutical folks in the good ole USA have so much control. Doctors are writing too many scripts, and pharmacies are making waaaaay to much money for cheap drugs.:banghead:
The "government" absolutely needs to somehow get this country's pharmaceutical system under control. Can they be blamed for the opioid problem......somewhat. I don't believe in addiction....I think it's too easy in today's society for people to create excuses to use drugs. Whatever happened to good old fashioned will power?

 

[RinconRyder]

I also would vote 'NO' on this issue but.....

Consider the plight of the First Responder (EMT, LEO or Firefighter). Now we are expecting people who may have a minimum of medical training to diagnose and execute treatment to someone who most likely cannot tell them what happened and/or for which they have no medical history. I don't think that is reasonable.

I think a better approach is to bill the 'victim' for their treatment and if they cannot/will not pay up then slap them into a confined treatment program until they are clean. If they re-offend after treatment they are on their own but by that time they will have some sort of legal history that can follow them and be used by First Responders.

We need to begin considering drug abusers (legal drugs or otherwise) as criminals in their own right and treat them accordingly. They are not traditional 'victims' but rather entered this world on their own volition.

There would be only one exception to the above and that is for persons under the age of 18. Obviously, young children should be exempt but older children also deserve the chance to remain alive after a dumb decision.

Just my two cents.

 

[Joe T.]

A GOOD Republican believes in ACCOUNTABILITY

Since most on this board are GOOD Republicans, and therefore believe in accountability, I propose the U.S. legalize all drugs. It is not the government's responsibility to protect you from yourself. Nor, is it the government;s responsibility to raise your children properly.

What do ya' think? Legalize drugs or not?

Joe T.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's not a "Republican issue". ANY responsible adult should be able to see the value in acting responsibly, and accepting the consequences of your actions.
Besides: if it can be done stupidly: people will find a way to make it even worse! :yikes:

 

[Joe T.]

View attachment 151027


It's not a "Republican issue". ANY responsible adult should be able to see the value in acting responsibly, and accepting the consequences of your actions.
Besides: if it can be done stupidly: people will find a way to make it even worse! :yikes:

Yes, I am completely serious.

One of the points I was trying to make in the above post was:

Republicans scream the loudest about legalizing drugs - yet they STRONGLY believe in self-accountability (so do I). A bit hypocritical, don't you think?

Again, I think the U.S. should legalize all drugs. Not the gov'ment's responsibility to protect the citizens of the US from themselves.

Think of all of the positives - - - (the list is long)

Joe T.

 

[vided]

What positives? nojoke

 

[Joe T.]

What positives? nojoke

I'll PM you a quick list.

Regards,
Joe T.

 

[Bob Denman]

C'mon, Joe...

Are you the guy that's sitting on 500 acres of illegal marijuana plants??? :roflblack:
Or is your garage packed with 1500 kilos of Colombian cocaine? :yikes:

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

Yes, I am completely serious.

One of the points I was trying to make in the above post was:

Republicans scream the loudest about legalizing drugs - yet they STRONGLY believe in self-accountability (so do I). A bit hypocritical, don't you think?

Again, I think the U.S. should legalize all drugs. Not the gov'ment's responsibility to protect the citizens of the US from themselves.

Think of all of the positives - - - (the list is long)

Joe T.

Well, if they were legalized then they could be better controlled. We would also see less of an influx of illegal drugs from foreign countries. Also could generate some tax revenue. Not sure what the answer is but open to the conversation.

I do think it's time the USA bring all this "stuff" out of the closet so to speak. Drugs, sex, etc...when it's perceived as bad and made illegal its driven underground where it does (or can) become a bad or worse thing than if it were just out in the open. Once someone says, "you can't do those things" a person immediately wants to....forbidden fruit. If we could just all be adult enough to openly talk about these things and manage them responsibly maybe we'd be better off as a society?

As a side note I'm not a republican or a democrat. I'm an American and that means is I want to do what's good for America regardless of weather or not it follows some stupid party line or rules. There is no possible way either side is "right" 100% of time on every issue. If we don't all work together then it all falls apart.

 

[Bob Denman]

Since I sell insurance: I've seen what happens when folks do stupid things with alcohol... :gaah:
(I lost my best friend to a drunk driver!)
I'd rather not see any more creative ways for the idiots; to become even bigger idiots. nojoke
Has anybody else been watching the reports of increased MVA's in the States that are allowing the recreational use of weed? :dontknow:
It's no joke, and the insurance companies are really starting to panic over their losses! :yikes:

 

[JerryB]

Hi Rob,

Re: Also could generate some tax revenue.

Oregon legalized recreational pot some time ago ( I don't use it so do not know exactly when - maybe 1 1/2 yrs ago ).

We are getting over three times the tax from it than was expected. Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

Re: Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

IMO it has been sort of like the lottery here in Oregon.

Jerry Baumchen

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[Joe T.]

As a side note I'm not a republican or a democrat. I'm an American and that means is I want to do what's good for America regardless of weather or not it follows some stupid party line or rules. There is no possible way either side is "right" 100% of time on every issue. If we don't all work together then it all falls apart.

AMEN to THAT!!!

Joe T.

 

[DJFaninTN]

I'll just leave this article here for your enjoyment

https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/surprise-fatal-car-wrecks-involving-marijuana-skyrocket/

 

[Schwingel9]

"I do think it's time the USA bring all this "stuff" out of the closet so to speak. Drugs, sex, etc...when it's perceived as bad and made illegal its driven underground where it does (or can) become a bad or worse thing than if it were just out in the open."

When used in the correct context of what it is designed for, these things are not intrinsically evil. Sex for instance, was designed by God for husband and wife for procreation. When used out of context or in immoral ways, then evil is abound, abortion, stds, divorce due to infidelity and so on. Sex has a purpose and is sacred and holy in the bond of matrimony. Sex is not a recreational sport. The same with drugs, they are not designed for recreational purposes, they are for aiding in healing and promoting health. Getting stoned is not healthy for the body or good for society. Making everything legal so we can tax it and make money on it, or doing what ever feels good, is not an answer to any problems.

 

[Sarge707]

Hi Rob,

Re: Also could generate some tax revenue.

Oregon legalized recreational pot some time ago ( I don't use it so do not know exactly when - maybe 1 1/2 yrs ago ).

We are getting over three times the tax from it than was expected. Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

Re: Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

IMO it has been sort of like the lottery here in Oregon.

Jerry Baumchen

Well Connecticut and other States with Financial problems could certainly use the extra income? My feeling is that $$ spent on POT (I certainly would NOT Use it LOL) :yikes: would make people feel better than going to the local casino to Loss 2-3 Hundred and come home feeling ?????:clap:

 

[SAMBILLIE]

The govt caused the crisis in the first place

The wife and I were having this discussion tonight. I really don't want this to be an R vs D thing or political at all. It's just a general question. A simple YES or No will suffice.

BTW ... if you don't know, Narcan cost $1,200 per dose from what I have read and tax payers are footing the bill.

The government and their regulators decided to make the pain score as the fifth vital sign when they felt patients with not getting adequate pain management while in the hospital. This led to overmedicating and prophylactically medicating patients with opioids prior to leaving the hospital. Hence the addiction epidemic. Ironically the government started out by telling us doctors we are giving too few pain medications. Now we are giving too much. Oh well just another day in the life.

 

[Joe T.]

C'mon, Joe...

Are you the guy that's sitting on 500 acres of illegal marijuana plants??? :roflblack:
Or is your garage packed with 1500 kilos of Colombian cocaine? :yikes:

I WISH!!!!


Nope, just a dumba$$ from Kansas.

I have been watching this situation since ~1981. (see http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...or-an-honest-civil-discussion-regarding-drugs) for some backround.

Totally out of control. There needs to be a major change in direction.

Yes, in the transition, there will many casualties. But, in the long run it will be a positive for AMERICA.

DON'T you agree?

Regards,
Joe T.

 

[Joe T.]

Well, if they were legalized then they could be better controlled. We would also see less of an influx of illegal drugs from foreign countries. Also could generate some tax revenue. Not sure what the answer is but open to the conversation.

I do think it's time the USA bring all this "stuff" out of the closet so to speak. Drugs, sex, etc...when it's perceived as bad and made illegal its driven underground where it does (or can) become a bad or worse thing than if it were just out in the open. Once someone says, "you can't do those things" a person immediately wants to....forbidden fruit. If we could just all be adult enough to openly talk about these things and manage them responsibly maybe we'd be better off as a society?

As a side note I'm not a republican or a democrat. I'm an American and that means is I want to do what's good for America regardless of weather or not it follows some stupid party line or rules. There is no possible way either side is "right" 100% of time on every issue. If we don't all work together then it all falls apart.

I totally agree.

Joe T.

 

[Joe T.]

Since I sell insurance: I've seen what happens when folks do stupid things with alcohol... :gaah:
(I lost my best friend to a drunk driver!)
I'd rather not see any more creative ways for the idiots; to become even bigger idiots. nojoke
Has anybody else been watching the reports of increased MVA's in the States that are allowing the recreational use of weed? :dontknow:
It's no joke, and the insurance companies are really starting to panic over their losses! :yikes:

Then shouldn't those behaviors be harshly enforced instead of the limited enforcement for DUI today? I have NO problem sentencing DUI killers to life in prison - first offense!

That might be a better deterrent than the current practice of a slap on the hand.

Don't you agree?

Joe T.