Where Trump's Drug Czar Wants To Put Users In a recent video from The Young Turks, hosts Ana Kasparian, Brett Erlich, and Kim Horcher delve into the implications of appointment of Tom Marino as Trump's new Drug Czar. He is portrayed as a hardliner in the ongoing war on drugs, particularly concerning criminalization and rehabilitation policies .
Key Discussion Points
Criminalization vs. Rehabilitation: The hosts express concern over Marino's history of supporting criminalization rather than rehabilitation for drug users. They highlight that Jeff Sessions also echoes these sentiments, focusing less on treatment and more on punitive measures as the U.S. faces a growing heroin epidemic .
Questionable Identifications: The video raises the question of why users would be placed in hospitals, suggesting that treating every drug user as requiring rehab overlooks those who might casually use substances like marijuana without addiction .
The Influence of Pharma: The discussion also connects Marino’s legislative history and funding from pharmaceutical companies to his anti-drug policies, hinting that these donations impact his stance on drug legalization and rehabilitation .
Potential Impact on Progress: The panel concludes that this shift in policy could roll back the progress made under the Obama administration, which sought to decriminalize drug use and diminish the 'war on drugs' narrative. They warn of the dangers this poses to individuals who could benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis, while also noting the detrimental effects on those with criminal records from drug possession .
Conclusion
The implications of Marino’s appointment underscore a troubling direction in U.S. drug policy, raising critical questions about the balance between criminal justice and health care. What are your thoughts on the ongoing debates about drug policies and addiction treatment? Have you noticed shifts in your local drug policy discussions? Feel free to share your insights or related experiences!