Redefining the American Approach to Addiction and Mental Health
As a leader in the Bald Eagle Party, I firmly believe that the way we address addiction and mental health in America is not just a matter of policy—it’s a defining aspect of what it means to be truly American.
For too long, our approach to addiction has been driven by stigma, fear, and a misguided focus on punishment over care. It’s time to remove the legal and law enforcement barriers and take on these issues with a pragmatic, scientific approach rooted in compassion and understanding.
Addiction Is Not a Moral Failure—It’s a Survival Response
Many still view addiction through the lens of moral failing, assuming that those struggling with opioid dependence are chasing euphoria or escaping responsibility. But the truth is much more complex. The reality for chronic opioid users is that they’re not primarily seeking euphoria—they’re trying to avoid the severe discomfort of withdrawal.
The stigma surrounding addiction ignores this critical point, and our treatment systems often fail to recognize that for most, opioid use is about survival, not indulgence.
Our brains are wired for survival, and for someone dependent on opioids, the motivation to avoid withdrawal is as powerful as any natural instinct. It's the neurobiology of motivation, not pleasure, that keeps people in the cycle of dependence. If we continue to ignore this, we’ll keep missing the mark in how we address addiction in this country.
A Harm Reduction Approach: Safety Over Abstinence
We need to rethink our response to opioid dependence by putting harm reduction at the center of our strategy. What this means is recognizing that, for some, complete abstinence may not be a safe or realistic goal. Instead, we should focus on minimizing the risks associated with opioid use.
Let’s face it: the real danger many opioid users face isn’t just the drug itself—it’s the inconsistency and contamination of street drugs.
Fentanyl, a potent opioid that’s increasingly present in street drugs, is responsible for the surge in overdose deaths. People are not overdosing because they want to—they’re dying because they don’t know what they’re getting. If we can provide safer, medical-grade opioids, we can reduce the number of preventable deaths.
Under medical supervision, the risk of overdose is significantly lower. Allowing access to safer opioids in a controlled setting can keep people from turning to dangerous street drugs. This is a harm reduction approach that prioritizes safety and respects the dignity of those struggling with addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment: A Step, But Not Enough
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs using medications like buprenorphine and methadone have helped many, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. These medications are designed to stabilize people by reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of opioids, but for some individuals, they may not be potent enough to stave off relapse, especially for those accustomed to stronger street opioids.
We must be open to more flexible approaches, including the possibility of prescribing stronger opioids when necessary, under strict medical supervision. This is not about giving up on people—this is about meeting them where they are, helping them stay safe, and recognizing that the path to recovery looks different for everyone.
Removing the Legal Barriers
To truly redefine how we treat addiction in this country, we need to remove the legal barriers that stand in the way of compassionate care. The criminalization of addiction does nothing but push people further into the shadows, preventing them from seeking help. Law enforcement should not be the front line of our response to addiction—healthcare should be.
It’s time to decriminalize addiction and shift our focus toward treatment and harm reduction. We need policies that empower doctors to provide the care that their patients need without fear of legal repercussions. We need to stop treating addiction as a crime and start treating it for what it is: a complex medical condition that requires care, compassion, and scientific understanding.
Defining a New American Standard
As Americans, we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt, innovate, and face challenges head-on. The opioid crisis is no different. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the science to address this issue in a way that respects the dignity of every individual struggling with addiction. What we lack is the political will to remove the stigma and the outdated legal frameworks that prevent us from making real progress.
Addiction and mental health are not issues of weakness or failure—they are part of the human experience, and it’s time we start treating them as such. By embracing harm reduction, removing the legal and law enforcement barriers, and approaching these issues with compassion and pragmatism, we can help define a new American standard—one that values every life and recognizes that the true strength of our nation lies in our ability to care for all of our citizens.
We are at a crossroads. We can continue down the path of criminalization, stigma, and punishment, or we can choose a new path—one that’s rooted in science, compassion, and a fundamental belief in the dignity and worth of every American.
This is the America I believe in. And this is the America we must strive to create together.
Join the Conversation
As we push for these changes, I invite all of you to join the conversation. We need to hear from those directly affected by addiction, healthcare professionals, and anyone passionate about creating a more just and compassionate system. Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind.