Yahoo News recently ran an Associated Press article with the above heading. Here are some quotes: Disturbing new research says the number of U.S. babies born with signs of opiate drug withdrawal has tripled in a decade because of a surge in pregnant women’s use of legal and illegal narcotics, including Vicodin, OxyContin and heroin,… Continue Reading
Heroin Addiction is Not an Illness
A couple of weeks ago I heard a piece on NPR: “What Vietnam Taught Us About Breaking Bad Habits.” It’s an interesting story. It tells how in 1971, researchers found that about 20% of the American soldiers in Vietnam were addicted to heroin. This was shocking news to the Pentagon and to President Nixon, who… Continue Reading
Drugs and Alcohol (Part 3)
This post was edited and updated on June 29 2014, to include additional thoughts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Rational Policy on Drugs and Alcohol In my last post I argued against government prohibitions against drugs and alcohol. My position is that substances… Continue Reading
Drugs and Alcohol (Part 2)
In my previous post on this subject, I discussed addiction to alcohol and other drugs. I made the point that addiction to these substances is not an illness, but rather an extremely strong habit. Treatment Programs The notion that alcoholism is a disease gained popularity in the 50’s and 60’s. At about the same time,… Continue Reading