Legalization, Regulation and De Stigmatization of Vice
I was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1974. I am from the same world as hometown boy Eminem. I grew up with children who were already addicts by Middle School. I started drinking and smoking marijuana in Middle School along with many others. I was one of the fortunate few who never became an addict.
My beloved daddy was an addict who cut back greatly but could never quit completely. When I had been on prescription opioids for my diseases and wanted to quit cold turkey, I asked him to watch me closely because he understood withdrawal better than my mom. I was taking 200mg of morphine or more at the time and had absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. My doctor was shocked that I was alive but moved forward with a notation not to prescribe them to me.
I understand addiction intimately like many throughout Nebraska. It is a horrible disease that is lifelong. When an addict sees their addiction, they can’t help themselves sometimes. I watched my first husband’s fall into addiction. I did everything that I was supposed to do until he hit rock bottom. It ruined my career as a medical examiner as I was preparing to apply to medical school.
I had spent my entire college career talking to professors from Michigan State Police and current detectives who were fellow students about where addicts hide drugs in case I was missing a hiding place. I spoke with my professors who were Psychologists and Doctors about it as well.
My husband understood what he had done to me and didn’t want to hurt me anymore. He chose to leave when I wanted him to stay. He was just too ashamed. It is just one reason for addicts to start using, keep using and relapsing. Shame needs to be replaced with acceptance, understanding and assistance.
It is why I believe in legalization, regulation and de stigmatization of vice. When we criminalize morality, it only makes it worse. It makes it taboo so young and impressionable people tend to be curious. Once an addiction starts, it’s hard to stop until it gets out of control and rock bottom hits. Lives are lost and destroyed needlessly in the process.
Since these black market products aren’t regulated at all, a person who believes that they are just smoking a little pot, which isn’t a problem doesn’t know if it is laced with a more potent substance or something deadly. They can become accidentally addicted just like those prescribed various medications. The addiction problem is then multiplied.
The same is true for prostitution. They say that it’s the oldest profession yet there are absolutely no protections for professionals nor clients. A client could easily murder or harm the professional, possibly endangering others because nobody is looking out for them. A professional could do likewise to a client possibly blackmailing them in the process, endangering all of society.
We only need look at our current trafficking crisis within Nebraska to find evidence of this happening in our own backyard. It is a human problem that needs to be dealt with humanely. We don’t need nor want any more of our Nebraskan families to be impacted by this. It must be brought under control with measures in place to safeguard every Nebraskan and help every Nebraskan impacted by it and our future Nebraskans who will make Nebraska even stronger and better.
I have faith in them and my fellow Nebraskans who are dedicated, hard working people who deserve a break from our government working against them and not with them.
We ALL deserve The Good Life.
God bless, Nebraska.
