thanks for the well-supported argument here. As you've said there are just too many dangerous narratives out there being perpetuated. Quinones work is admirable only in that he is one of the few that is reporting on the epidemic nature of the problem. That said, he is incorrect--and dangerously so--in many of his fundamental arguments. Thanks Zach for the thoughtful piece. Solutions are simply wider access to quality treatment. Unfortunately that seems to be unavailable in this insurance-driven treatment environment brought about ultimately by ACA.
so true, Dee. I completely agree. I still have a half-read book on my night stand from SQ. He has done good to bring out the research and bring awareness, when very few people were aware of this. I stumbled on his work when I was doing my won research for the growing drug epidemic in my hometown in India. In that process, I talked to an expert counter narcotics expert who said that even in countries with the death penalty, it is not a deterrent. (The clip is documented in this post if you want to watch my interview with the guy. https://rajofftherecord.substack.com/p/the-truth-behind-indias-rising-drug clip4 at :45 secs)
So, yes, SQ saying jail is the answer is just backward thinking. Infact, Zach and Dee, I watch this documentary about how Afghanistan is pulling drug addicts off the streets of Kabul and try to rehabilitate them. Most of them are repeat visitors. Very few actually get back on the right path but that takes mentoring and support. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVGL1BDXXU
"it probably do all that much" -> "it probably didn't do all that much"
I know you're probably sick of doing these, but I think it's good and necessary to tear down bullshit. The "blessed refuge" line is really something
Edit: Thinking on this, it's interesting that he has such an individual focus (like you point out at the beginning) and can't see that jails are the worst possible "remedy". Has he just... not talked to people dealing with these issues as they go in and out of jails and prisons? It took me listening to the stories of just a couple people to realize how legitimately terrible jail is as a solution.
Quinones is obviously wrong about opioid addiction on a number of levels, which makes it all the more dangerous that he has become such a darling of politicians and the mainstream media. I work part-time for a company that offers Suboxone mostly by telemedicine to patients in remote areas. A high-ranking administrator in that organization recently sent out a mildly nauseating group email that started, "I had the honor of hearing Sam Quinones speak this week at a conference!" She went on to gush about his well-known experience, wisdom and insight on the subject of opioid addiction. It's very difficult to push back when such notions are so deeply ingrained.
Jail, a blessed refuge? I can barely take in that someone would actually write that and believe it. My daughter went to state prison for possession and she was paroled and then she was violated because of a positive UA, then she was back in prison, then she was paroled again. Then she was violated due to a positive UA and she was sent back to prison again. She got no treatment whatsoever for substance problems or mental health issues in prison. She actually said that now she understood why her ex-husband was so violent —it was because he had spent time in prison. Refuge? It’s a bad place for everyone and creates anger, resentment , and rage that lasts long after release.
thanks for the well-supported argument here. As you've said there are just too many dangerous narratives out there being perpetuated. Quinones work is admirable only in that he is one of the few that is reporting on the epidemic nature of the problem. That said, he is incorrect--and dangerously so--in many of his fundamental arguments. Thanks Zach for the thoughtful piece. Solutions are simply wider access to quality treatment. Unfortunately that seems to be unavailable in this insurance-driven treatment environment brought about ultimately by ACA.
so true, Dee. I completely agree. I still have a half-read book on my night stand from SQ. He has done good to bring out the research and bring awareness, when very few people were aware of this. I stumbled on his work when I was doing my won research for the growing drug epidemic in my hometown in India. In that process, I talked to an expert counter narcotics expert who said that even in countries with the death penalty, it is not a deterrent. (The clip is documented in this post if you want to watch my interview with the guy. https://rajofftherecord.substack.com/p/the-truth-behind-indias-rising-drug clip4 at :45 secs)
So, yes, SQ saying jail is the answer is just backward thinking. Infact, Zach and Dee, I watch this documentary about how Afghanistan is pulling drug addicts off the streets of Kabul and try to rehabilitate them. Most of them are repeat visitors. Very few actually get back on the right path but that takes mentoring and support. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHVGL1BDXXU
"it probably do all that much" -> "it probably didn't do all that much"
I know you're probably sick of doing these, but I think it's good and necessary to tear down bullshit. The "blessed refuge" line is really something
Edit: Thinking on this, it's interesting that he has such an individual focus (like you point out at the beginning) and can't see that jails are the worst possible "remedy". Has he just... not talked to people dealing with these issues as they go in and out of jails and prisons? It took me listening to the stories of just a couple people to realize how legitimately terrible jail is as a solution.
Quinones is obviously wrong about opioid addiction on a number of levels, which makes it all the more dangerous that he has become such a darling of politicians and the mainstream media. I work part-time for a company that offers Suboxone mostly by telemedicine to patients in remote areas. A high-ranking administrator in that organization recently sent out a mildly nauseating group email that started, "I had the honor of hearing Sam Quinones speak this week at a conference!" She went on to gush about his well-known experience, wisdom and insight on the subject of opioid addiction. It's very difficult to push back when such notions are so deeply ingrained.
P.S. I'd love to read an article entitled "Keith Humphreys is Wrong"
Jail, a blessed refuge? I can barely take in that someone would actually write that and believe it. My daughter went to state prison for possession and she was paroled and then she was violated because of a positive UA, then she was back in prison, then she was paroled again. Then she was violated due to a positive UA and she was sent back to prison again. She got no treatment whatsoever for substance problems or mental health issues in prison. She actually said that now she understood why her ex-husband was so violent —it was because he had spent time in prison. Refuge? It’s a bad place for everyone and creates anger, resentment , and rage that lasts long after release.