Journalist Maia Szalavitz writes, "We have this idea that if we are just cruel enough and mean enough and tough enough to people with addiction, that they will suddenly wake up and stop, and that is not the case."
"Szalavitz is a proponent of 'harm reduction' programs that take a nonpunitive approach to helping addicts and 'treat people with addiction like human beings.' In her own case, she says that getting 'some kind of hope that I could change' enabled her to get the help she needed.
Read more: 'Unbroken Brain' Explains Why 'Tough' Treatment Doesn't Help Drug Addicts
I'd like to hear what the community thinks about this. Do you think our current approach is effective, or should we try 'harm reduction'?
