Don’t Try to Fool Me With Mother Nature
Most of the time, I do not have an opinion over whether or not a particular drug is legalized because whether the drug is legal or criminalized, the drug will still be abused. Front and center in this debate, is Kratom.
The main thing that sticks out to me is the Kratom is touted as an “all natural and safe alternative to opiates.” Some claim Kratom helps people who have suffered through opiate dependence. I do not agree with this, but Kratom has not been around long enough for me to really claim my case using statistics and studies. However, I have worked at a drug and alcohol rehab for almost 5 years and from that, I have personal, first-hand experience.
The first thing to point out is the claim that if something is “natural” it is okay. There are drugs that are derived from plants are highly addictive and dangerous. Heroin, cocaine, and even cyanide all come from plants and to that degree would be considered “natural.” I have witnessed addicts who have taken Kratom and they do experience withdrawal symptoms and can overdose on it. Just because the side effects are not as extreme as heroin, does not make it “safe” and “okay.”
Another issue is that once a drug is legalized, the business of the drug changes from something to help people into a money making scheme. According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, the state has received nearly $70 million in tax revenue from marijuana from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, easily beating the nearly $42 million in taxes on alcohol. Where marijuana has been legalized, it has proven more profitable than alcohol which is already has been one of the most profitable “addictables.”
Let’s look at what has happened with marijuana since it has been made legal. There are now marijuana edibles, marijuana oils, and hundreds of different strands which alter it from its natural state. Since retail marijuana businesses began operating in 2014, marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 32%, marijuana-related hospitalizations increased 38%, and marijuana-related calls to the Rocky Mountain Poison Center increased 72%.
We need to look at the bigger picture here. Our focus appears to be maximizing profits, not actually helping people. We need to start shifting the focus from “what is legal and what is not” to providing effective rehabilitation for addicts.
That is one of the reasons the Narconon program works. Replacing one drug for another is still relying on some substance to make you happy and is never the answer. The only way to be sober is to isolate your problems, solve them and then BE SOBER. It really is that simple! If you or someone you know needs help for a substance abuse addiction, please call us.
