Or at least decriminalizing its use. Maybe leaving the process of dealing in large quantities as illegal but trying to see users of it as patients rather than a

Or at least decriminalizing its use. Maybe leaving the process of dealing in large quantities as illegal but trying to see users of it as patients rather than as miscreants. According to this article [0] from the NYT, nothing really compares to maintaining prior abusers on buprenorphine/methadone while working through therapy as far as efficacy for the masses. Granted, I think everyone responds differently to all sorts of things and have met some phenomenal individuals two credit 12-step programs for both their sobriety and living more fulfilling lives than they had even before their addictions, so mileages will vary. Between the two, methadone's effects on QT interval and cardiac mortality makes me think that it's morally reprehensible to get patients stuck on it, while buprenorphine also has the prophylactic effect of muting any recreational opioids that patients taking it might encounter, reducing the positive feedback loop. Regardless, it's definitely time for us as a society to focus more on helping people rather than marginalizing them. [0]: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/opinion/treating-opioid-addiction.html https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/opinion/treating-opioid-a...