After my parents posted bail for me, I knew exactly what I needed to do – secretly inject some prescription opioids that I had hoarded away just for this occasion. Sure, it may have ruined my future and relationships with loved ones, but who needs a future when you have prescription opioids, am I right? It was the only way I knew how to cope, until I realized I needed serious help and went into recovery – with the added bonus of facing a lengthy sentence under New York’s “Rockefeller laws”! What a thrill ride.
Now, you may be wondering – was I just a little too obsessed with drugs? Was my brain just short-circuiting or was I consciously putting my life in danger? And more importantly, why would anyone continue to take street fentanyl, despite the fact that it’s basically a death sentence in a baggie? These questions are key to understanding addiction and drug policy. But, like any complex issue, there are no easy fixes.
Alas, despite our best efforts, drug policy remains a puzzle that we just can’t seem to solve. Maybe it’s because we’re too busy relying on simplistic solutions that completely miss the point, instead of actually trying to make things better. But I suppose the real solution is to just keep trying, keep asking questions, and keep laughing in the face of our troubles. And maybe, just maybe, one day we’ll figure it all out.

Serious News: nytimes