Drugs: the Rise of the Walking Dead

You’re in the rickety trolley dying to get to work or perhaps a student skipping to home, when you notice that the streets are littered with burnt cigarettes and crumpled cans, all the works of drugs. Over 40 years ago, ‘drugs’ became public enemy number 1 following mass incarcerations and drug shootings. But what are drugs and are they as harmful as we say?

Alcohol and other drugs(AOD) are utilised for a variety of reasons: relaxment, a cessation of pain, and excitement. Nonetheless, teenagers are the most vulnerable to drugs due to popular media. They often desire to imitate characters who employ AOD. Once they begin using AOD, there is no stopping as they will suffer uncomfortable drawbacks and uncontrollable shaking. Imagine you take AOD infested with dopamine - a chemical which forces you to feel good - that will hype your brain. The brain will eventually uncover the level of dopamine is profoundly high and will force the body to cease making it. When the particular being is not using drugs, the dopamine level will drop as the body is draining every dopamine source. New York’s community is therefore unable to stand up or walk; they are forced to drag themselves. The abused drugs contain xylazine which exposes flesh, supporting the nickname of the city, ZombieLand. NYC Health has confirmed around 2600 have died due to drugs in the ‘zombie’ city alone in 2021. Drugs skyrocketed, however, to ignite a war that resulted in many unspeakable terrors.

In America, US President Nixon announced the ban on drugs: the War on Drugs started. A former US campaign, the whole world followed this operation. Punishments were given to those who used drugs and in over 17 years, more than 350,000 American electors were thrust into jail. SWAT teams kicked down doors and ransacked houses, often to be met by confused individuals. There are accounts of firefights occurring between families and SWAT teams inside the building. It was ordinary for drivers to witness fellow motorists being embarrassed as their vehicles were flipped over by the police, eager to arrest anyone in possession of even 5 grams of minor drugs. The surrounding was controversial as the former protecting SWAT and police turned to hard line policy and were even racist. Nevertheless, is there an alternative to these violent riots and stopping drugs?

While the world’s SWAT teams invaded homes, Switzerland was curious to know if there was a simple solution to this chaos. They settled upon building hospitals designed for treating drug addicts. The patients were hesitant at first as they were availed to brutal treatment but, enchanted, flooded in. The hospitals leveraged clean syringes for those who inject substances and supplied clean facilities. More endangered valetudinarians were present; medical professionals awaited if assistance was required. News of this ingenious method spread and what was few turned to hundreds and made into thousands. A study conducted by NC Health News revealed that HIV rates in Switzerland declined while many who visited similar hospitals have quit AOD and moved on to a more natural life now they have nothing to fear. Soon, the world practised harm reduction and hardline policy was no longer needed: the War on Drugs was flogging a dead horse.

Drug prohibition led to a system that bulldozes human rights, costs an arm and leg, and creates human misery, all in pursuit of an impossible goal. With drugs, there is no telling what grim future awaits us and the many issues it would cause. If we aspire to eradicate drugs, we will have to embrace better education, enact or change laws, and we will have to ensure better police enforcement. Notwithstanding, the first step is to perceive and comprehend the problem. Otherwise, our sophisticated view of the future will be a pie in the sky, and humanity will be ruined. “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” - Marie Curie