Norway To Decriminalize Drugs

It might seem extreme to some, but many countries have been considering decriminalizing drug use. The reason being is that people who receive treatment opposed to punishment are less likely to re-offend, commit a crime, and cost public more money. In Norway, the Parliament just passed a plan to decriminalize drugs. Yes, that means all drugs, even heroin, meth, crack, you name it. As long as the person is caught with small quantities, they will not face criminal punishment such as fines or imprisonment. Norway plans to have a system similar to Portugal, who has already decriminalized drug use and is seeing positive result Transform Drug Policy Foundation s. The Norwegian government wants to be clear that they are not legalizing drugs. People would not be able to freely sell drugs in public, this would still be illegal and could result in imprisonment. It’s the average drug user who would benefit. A person caught with drugs would be offered avenues for help, such as detox, therapy, and addiction treatment. The country wants to end the stigma of drug use being classified as a crime and change the conversation around drugs as a whole. They want to classify and treat drug use as an illness. Around the world, including the United States, jails and prisons have almost 0 effects on people trying to get clean from drugs. Jails and prisons are often filled with drugs and offer very little treatment options. Many offenders also have co-occurring mental health conditions that also get ignored. Norway wants to make an example of the world and show that treating addiction as a disease is...

What A Substance Abuse Aftercare Plan Should Include

Addiction is a serious chronic disease, and just like any other chronic disease, a lengthy treatment plan is required to successfully transition a person into recovery. Addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill or with an expensive resort-style 30-day program on the beach. Addiction requires a carefully planned individualized program, starting with detox and residential treatment, then continuing with what’s called aftercare, which can last months or even more than a year. For example, if you were in a severe car accident that required hospitalization or surgery, it is likely you will need some form of physical therapy to slowly heal the body. Substance abuse aftercare is the same idea. Aftercare slowly helps a person transition into normal life as a sober person, providing multiple networks of support, coping skills, and action plans for recovery. If you are serious about saving your own life then you should not skimp on addiction treatment. You should participate in every stage of the process, take suggestions, get out of your comfort zone, and put in a genuine effort. Unlike many other diseases, to treat addiction, the patient must be completely willing and wanting to get better. If you do not want to get better, then no amount of treatment will help you. If you do want to get better, then there are many amazing programs that will provide you with multiple layers of support and life skills that will lead you to a happy and successful recovery. When looking for a program, you should always ask about the types of substance abuse aftercare that the facility offers or if they feed into...