John Watts on Systemic Oppression and Addiction Treatment Barriers for People of Color
The difference with the opioid, you know, we have more science, we have data and we have interventions available that we didn't have during a crack pandemic. It only became a crisis when it hit the suburbs and was attacking white families that some came.
Imagine facing not only the challenges of addiction but also the systemic barriers that make getting help even harder. That's the reality for many Black and Brown Americans, and it's the focus of this eye-opening episode of 'Scope of Practice'. The Connecticut Certification Board chats with John Watts, a Doctoral Candidate from St. Leo University, about the deep roots of systemic oppression and its impact on addiction treatment for people of color.
They dive into the over-representation of Black and Brown individuals in the criminal justice system, the lingering effects of segregation, and how over-policing creates additional hurdles to receiving treatment. Watts doesn't just highlight the problems; he also emphasizes the need for cultural competency and greater representation in the helping professions. This raw and thought-provoking discussion sheds light on an urgent issue that demands our attention.
If you're interested in understanding how systemic oppression affects addiction treatment and what can be done to break down these barriers, this episode is a must-listen.