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> There have always been drug addicts and drug users, and there always will be.

And surely we could do more work to understand why people fall into this hole, and make societal changes to help those who want to beat their addiction do so more reliably. It’s absolutely misinformed to suggest that addiction isn’t a real problem or that doing anything about it is somehow beyond our control.

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Why do people have a beer? Or drink a glass of wine? Or smoke a joint? Why do some become alcoholics? Or eat junk food? Or overeat in general? Why are so many people unable to control their urge to eat too much, leading to 85% of the population being overweight or obese? Why do people sit in a sauna? Or go to a concert? Or meditate? Or exercise? Why do some people become addicted to exercise? Or stare at their phones all day? Why do some people become addicted to a screen or video games or social media?

Why do people do anything? It's all the same fundamental reason.

I’m not sure if I’m breaking through the hyperbole correctly, but I think we’re saying a similar thing: the more that people are able to search for meaning or find satisfaction through less risky avenues, the lower the incidence of drug abuse.

Is that what you were getting at?

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