War on Drugs: A 50-Year Misstep?
So if you're going to penalize drugs in an unequal way and have a higher threshold for stuff that's specific to a different socioeconomic or demographic group, well, it's definitely going to be called out and it's going to be seen as unfair.
Back in 1971, President Nixon declared drugs as public enemy number one, sparking what would become a 50-year-long 'War on Drugs'. But after half a century, have we really made any progress? In this episode of 'Straight Talk With The Doc', Dr. Ashish Bhatt, MD, takes a hard look at the impact of this campaign. He discusses how labeling drug users as enemies has done more harm than good, particularly in marginalized communities. Dr.
Bhatt dives into the root causes of substance abuse, like financial struggles, lack of education, and health issues, arguing that throwing people in jail isn't the answer. Instead, he suggests alternative methods to support those battling addiction while still penalizing traffickers and crime syndicates. If you're curious about the real effects of the War on Drugs and want to understand why it may have missed the mark, this episode is for you. Dr.
Bhatt's empathetic yet straightforward approach provides a fresh perspective on a decades-old issue.