So, it’s about a week and a half after many elections in the United States. The U.S. elected a new president, and many states elected governors, senators, Congresspeople, and other officeholders, not to mention all the people who won more local races.
Many areas of the United States also voted on various proposals and questions. Some of these proposals involved drugs. More specifically, some states asked voters about the legalization of drugs. The voters answered. Voters in Nevada, California, and Massachusetts approved the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Arizona voters turned down a similar proposal. The vote over legalization of recreational marijuana in Maine was still too close to call when we were writing this.
As you probably know, other states also allow people to use marijuana for recreational purposes, and other states are debating this proposal. Even more states allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes.
We’re not going to discuss whether marijuana should be legal or whether it is an effective medicine. We’re just saying that drugs are everywhere and seem to be a constant topic of debate. As you can see, this conversation has made its way onto voters’ ballots during elections, and it has a good chance at being there again in the future.
We can’t ignore drugs. Luckily, this visibility has helped people admit their problems with drugs and alcohol. For years, drug addiction and alcohol abuse seemed to be a dirty little secrets. Stigmas and discrimination kept many people from discussing their addictions.
As more people enter the conversation about drugs and addiction, we’re finding that substance use disorder is not so rare. It’s a real problem, but a common one, one that many people have experienced and one for which many people have sought treatment.
When you’re growing up, people often tell you that talking about a problem can help you solve it. This is so true when it comes to drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Talking about substance use disorder and drugs can help us understand both, how they relate to us, and how we can solve any problems they create.
