Question by patrickctrombly: Should taxpayer $ be spent on drug rehab?
Drugs. The ultimate bad choice. But it’s a choice – you choose to take drugs. It’s not like a virus – you don’t “catch” a drug addiction.
We spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars drilling it into every kid’s and adult’s head not to do drugs.
Some people listen. Others don’t.
The ones who do listen, who play by the rules, grow up and go out and support themselves.
Why should we then make them support the ones who don’t? That comes at the expense of those people and their families. Why should we punish people for making the right choice? We should be send the message that even if you don’t listen, you’ll still be taken care of – on everyone else’s dime?
On top of it, it’s a fool’s errand. They’re going to be on the street committing crimes anway – most rehab fails. Without rehab there will be FEWER addicts – or fewer living ones anyway.
I know the junkies’ families want them treated but isn’t it THEIR responsibility to pay for it?
How is it mine?
Best answer:
Answer by RUMMY the DUMMY
Yes it’s half the cost of being put in prison.
What do you think? Answer below!
10 ResponsesLeave a comment ?
the so called war on drugs proves wars do not make anything better. The government (cia/bushco) could stop bringing drugs into the country too. Afghanistan has increased poppy production 450% under the bush crime family. That’s not an accident.
I have to go to court. I have some drug addicts who have been charged with burglary.
And assault. And robbery. And child abuse. And reckless endangerment. And murder.
Where do you want to put your money?
And the costs associated with prison, rehab, or whatever, are tacked onto the defendant’s bill. If they can get rehabbed, and get an education and job, they can repay that bill.
But if I had my way, instead of a 12 step approach to addiction, we would treat it as mental illness. Put these sick people on antidepressants, for life. Unfortunately, the 12 step approach is anti shrink.
NO. But the seized assets of drug dealers should go into a fund for rehab.
I don’t personally think we should. But I have seen it work, so if someone can’t afford it, taxpayers pay for lots of things they don’t want to pay for.
No taxpayer money should not be used for rehab. A bullet is cheaper!
Reason versus Compassion…
Pragmatism wins out. Nice comment from the first respondent- it costs less. Good reason right there.
But now, what if I told you that I believe that there are too many people on this earth. All of the elderly (and I imagine you have a family member or know someone you care about who will fit this description) should stop taking their meds RIGHT NOW and die so we can afford Medicare/Medicaid, and not tax our salaries…
What if I told you that infanticide, especially in cases where the child is born malformed, should be legal? Encouraged? What if I told you that God is dead, there are no morals, there is no faith, there is no value to the human soul,
and there is NO HOPE.
That is, essentially, what you are saying.
There is no hope, there is no reason to help, there is no reason to love our fellow human beings.
I tend to be a pure rationalist, but even statistically, the religious maxim is true-
“There but for the grace of (fate?) go I”….!!!
What are you telling children, if you let people die in the street? What are you going to tell your own child, when shot in the face by accident, during someone’s addicted crime spree?
What are you going to say then?
Amazing, isn’t it? Americans think it is socialist to want a Universal Healthcare System…one that would make healthcare free to all its citizens. But they seem to have no problem with the fact that their tax dollars are being spent on public service announcements. Go figure….
WHO KNOWS? TAX PAYERS’ $ ARE SPENT ON EVERY THING ELSE THAN TAX PAYERS’ WELFARE. IN WHAT WAY IT IS HELPFUL TO TAX PAYERS WELFARE THE BILLIONS OF $ SPENDING IN IRAQ? POOR TAX PAYERS HAVE NO VOICE EXCEPT PAYING TAXES. OUR POLITICIANS KNOW ONLY TO COLLECT AND WASTE OUR TAX $.
What is the cost of the losing effort of the war on drugs, have any idea? Are you including alcohol, the number one drug of abuse in this country? Get this, I smoke pot, I also own a business, am I a worthless member of our society, or are our drug laws antiquated? No offense intended to you, but you sound like a true republican, no compassion and only worried about your money.
Wow you must be one of those perfect people who have never made a bad choice, good for you!!! I wish everyone could be as smart and compassionate as you!