America's Addiction Problem

I’ve heard all the reasons presented for the murders of our fellow citizens.

Nobody needs military style weapons. I worked nearby when the workplace shooting in San Francisco’s Financial District occurred, and Senator Dianne Feinstein’s legislation was passed. Why wasn’t Senator Feinstein’s ban on assault weapons renewed?

Certainly everything possible should be done – intensive background checks, prohibiting certain weapons and accessories, etc. That’s a no-brainer. But there will always be people who source illegally, and the internet is a marketplace for anything and everything.

We need more, better, and affordable mental health services. But we also need strong family units, and I’d like to hear more religious leaders speak out. We need better assessments and inquiries in schools – both K-12 and college – that speak to students, families and others about those who might be needing care and attention.

The ugly and hateful speech that occurs on social media needs to stop. Period. This does not mean prohibiting speech, but many of our problems stem from the fact that manners and courtesy are not given importance in our society. We can disagree with each other, but if we are unable to state our differences through rational discourse then such vitriol does not belong in the “marketplace of ideas” – because those are not “ideas”, only distortions and harmful ravings emanating from the worst of human nature.

Finally, will anyone at all in this country talk about the “elephant in the room” – America’s addiction problem? Shouldn’t the FBI tell us how many of these killers were on, or frequently used, drugs? We are awash in narcotics – legal, illegal, “recreational” – you name it. And many are on multiple drugs. Even those that are legal and used for lifesaving purposes can cause changes in mood. What happens when individuals – especially young people whose brains are still developing – take drugs – often mixing them, or not even knowing what they’re ingesting?

Even the problems at the border are primarily caused by people escaping violence and murder caused by the drug trade. Until America does something about the users of these drugs, these horrendous results will not change.

So I wait for any politician, religious leader, celebrity, or anyone that the public will listen to to speak out about this issue. Because while controlling guns and social media may help, we need to have a serious and honest discussion about our families, and America’s addiction to drugs. Otherwise, ultimately nothing will change.