How could we help tackle the drug epedemic.

[MarxistLeninistMaoistTrot]

Hello Comrades, as most of you will know, many inner cities suffer from epedemic drug problems, further weakening the working class.
I think us on the left should take a strong and decisive stance against drugs, but not by roaming the streets like raving vigilantes looking to take our anger out at the kids selling the stuff (alot of the time out of a need to raise money to live) who are just as much victims in the cycle of capitalism.
I think we need to start setting up outreach centres, fund raising for treatment and financial aid of recovering addicts and of course, getting out on the streets and communicating with the young and vulnerable people who may very well be sucked into the life of drugs, and for many prostitution.
Once we have settlesd into areas, we can then approach all aspects of problems in inner city, proletarian life, and start to make inroads into such tasks as preventing children being drawn into gangs, helping struggling families find the support they are entitled to any other things in the community that need to be, but which are not being addressed by the government.
Once we have provided a non violent community service, one which helps and ultimately re-educates the working class into coming together to understand and abolish the root of the causes for social, economic and moral decay; Capitalism.

Could we manage to put together a national inner city project like this, and would it work.
Let me know your thoughts, even if they are critical and thanks for bothering to read.

[9]

I think your intentions are obviously good, but I don't think this is the task of revolutionaries. Certainly, I think we should reach out to the most exploited sectors of the lumpenproletariat, but the task that you've highlighted is a) a project requiring a lifelong commitment, and b) not connected to overthrowing capitalism. There are treatment centers with volunteers who already do much of what you've recommended. This is something which, maybe, someone might go into as a career, but again, I really don't see the role of the revolutionary left in such affairs. And I also don't think the drug "epidemic" (as you've called it) can be dealt with under capitalism. Prison doesn't get people off drugs. It saddens me to see so-called "revolutionaries" (I'm not referring to you) who want to go around with AK47s mowing down every drug addict they see; they obviously have no conception of the reasons people turn to drugs in the first place, which are not entirely unlike the reasons people turn to religion. Again, I think you are absolutely well-intentioned, but I think combatting drug addiction as a major focus is more the task of reformists than revolutionaries; which is to say, I think the underlying problems which lead to drug addiction (poverty, hopelessness, lack of education, lack of supportive community, etc.) are inherently part of capitalism and thus, cannot be adequately eliminated or controlled while capitalism remains.

[dubaba]

Legalize all drugs and overthrow capitalism . Legalizing would take money away from drug related law enforcement and we could put that money into prevention and rehabilitation programs.

The stresses and extreme poverty of capitalism cause a majority of drug use. So the best way of stopping a majority of drug use is overthrowing capitalism. Of course there will still be drug users but it would be significantly lower.

[MarxistLeninistMaoistTrot]

I agree with what you have said comrade, but i feel that if we become a strong and clear presence in the inner cities then we can help to educate the people we are helping.
Tackling the drugs and prostitution are not the be all and end all of the project, they would merely serve as inroads to help unite all of the working class and make a revolutionary political organization present in modern day society, thus creating small communities allied to the left, helping to create the nescesary conditions for revolution.
Once we have the masses following us, we can organize strikes, influence kids from an early age before they are brainwashed by the media.
All this could be acheived by that first small outreach project.

[MarxistLeninistMaoistTrot]

not what dubba said though:)

[RebelDog]

We will never solve the problems that are a part of capitalism until we are rid of it. If we have an economic system that exists to serve the interests of a minority and produces inequality, poverty, wage-slavery, long hours, crap housing, pollution, etc for the majority, then we are always going to have social problems as a result. That is not to say we shouldn't act as communities to tackle the social problems. We should empower ourselves. Communities and workers should realise that they are the only force that can put an end to the problems that are rampant due to the immoral economic disparity of capitalism. Any steps in this direction are to viewed as positive ones, but we must always keep an eye on why these problems exist and understand they will probably only ever get worse unless this disgusting economic system is put to sleep forever.

[MarxistLeninistMaoistTrot]

if we do not act until capitalism is abbolished, it will never be abolished.

[RebelDog]

Legalize all drugs and overthrow capitalism . Legalizing would take money away from drug related law enforcement and we could put that money into prevention and rehabilitation programs.

The stresses and extreme poverty of capitalism cause a majority of drug use. So the best way of stopping a majority of drug use is overthrowing capitalism. Of course there will still be drug users but it would be significantly lower.

The legalisation of drugs would significantly ease the problem right now but I would say that is decades away here in the UK, if it ever happens. There is even some police calling for this.

[spiltteeth]

Addiction is a medical problem, not a social one.

poverty, hopelessness, lack of education, lack of supportive community
are not causes, although they are related.
For instance, malaria is a medical problem. Why do some people get malaria? Because they are around it. Same as drugs. But improving social conditions certainly helps prevent the spread of malaria, as it does for addiction, but only in a limited sense.

It must not be treated as a social problem, a moral problem, or a criminal problem.

The charities set up (at which I regularly volunteer) are not equipped to cure, just to keep addicts alive, and effect harm reduction.

Without a basic change in how people view addiction, this is all, sadly, we can do until radical social change occurs.

[Anton Neverov]

I think it would be a good step in the right direction, trying to halt the drug addiction. Not only will it breathe life into the Leftist ideal but also spread it. Its kinda how Christianity builds part of its following, they go down to the most destitute and abandoned areas of society and help people out. You see how well it works for them. Think if the leftist joined together and started helping the working class, not as individuals but as a united force. Not once and awhile but every month or so. Not only will it open venues for an stronger and more united leftist movement (and hopefully revolution) but it will help destroy the propaganda machines that discourage people from the Leftist Ideal.
Now I'm not forgetting the marches for worker's right, etc. They are very good.

[Jethro Tull]

there's always the black liberation army tradition of "re-appropriating" funds from druglords.

also, to those who think treating drug addiction is "not connected to overthrowing capitalism"...is "food not bombs", or the soup kitchens of the black panthers, "not connected to overthrowing capitalism"? what about hurricane relief after katrina? building a social infrastructure strengthens the anti-capitalist movement.

yes, the capitalists already offer drug rehabilitation programs. but those are capitalist drug rehabilitation programs. that means they are ultimately profit-motivated.

[9]

there's always the black liberation army tradition of "re-appropriating" funds from druglords.

also, to those who think treating drug addiction is "not connected to overthrowing capitalism"...is "food not bombs", or the soup kitchens of the black panthers, "not connected to overthrowing capitalism"? what about hurricane relief after katrina? building a social infrastructure strengthens the anti-capitalist movement.
I don't know the details, but I've heard a lot of anarchists who are very critical of "Food not Bombs". Personally, I think the revolutionary left is not strong enough or big enough to effectively eradicate drug addiction, and I think any logical person would come to the same conclusion. Frankly, soup kitchens or hurricane relief or what have you are matters that I'm happy to collaborate with reformists and non-leftists in general on, and the idea that the revolutionary left get involved in such matters as the revolutionary left doesn't strike me as being very practical, primarily due to the size, isolation, and intended function of the revolutionary left. But if you have the time and resources to do such things, by all means.



yes, the capitalists already offer drug rehabilitation programs. but those are capitalist drug rehabilitation programs. that means they are ultimately profit-motivated.I fail to see how one could open a rehabilitation clinic in a capitalist economy that magically operated outside the system of capitalism. Really. What you're saying is total idealism mixed with lifestylism. If you open a clinic, you need to generate profits or you won't be able to afford the expenses required to provide the services. This is no economics lesson, it is common sense. So, unless you happen to know someone who is sitting on a mound of cash, good luck with that.

[Tatarin]

I believe the main point 'should' be the betterment of human society. That drugs are or are not legal today is just as irrelevant as internet piracy or the mafia. I mean, would the world get better by drug legalization? I say no, the state gets more money, the capitalists keep their property and new capitalists emerge to make recreational stuff addictive and expensive.

Just as the question of where people can smoke or not smoke, or how much anyone can drink. Meanwhile, people have to work for longer hours for less payment, loose their pensions, and their unions, let alone healthcare and vacations. You're high? Fine, I'll take Joe 2 instead. The Netherlands have relaxes marijuana policies, yet they have a racist maniac soon entering parliment. Which is more important to care about?

[BorealStorm]

I mean, would the world get better by drug legalization?
A small improvement is not an unworthy improvement.

I would say given the amount of time and energy is spent on the matter of drugs, in government, is a very, very large one. And legalization of would create a great change. And not one in the favor of bigger government OR big business.

And a racist maniac can be a racist maniac, so long as they have political ideas I agree with. Believe it or not, a lefty can be 10 times more racist than a right winger. Leftism is not the same as anti-racism.

I don't see why a lack of racist policies is more important than the freedom of a nation, either. Both are important.

[Stranger Than Paradise]

The Drug dealing trade is an extension of Capitalism. It is a way to paralyse our class. There will be no freedom for our class from the drug trade and the effects it has on our class until we can destroy the system which supports drug dealing. Those who are paralysed by drug addictions are mostly victims of their society who are poor and feel helpless. This will never be stopped until Capitalism is destroyed. Drug dealing and the criminalisation of drug use will always exist under Capitalism in order to demonise the working class.

[Saorsa]

Take lots and lots and lots of drugs thus using them all up and solving the problem once and for all.

[Tatarin]

A small improvement is not an unworthy improvement.

But it's just a "match in the ring". Workers' rights have been built up, now they are eradicating. One drug is legalized, another goes away. Racism is outlawed, now it's on the march back.

My point is that these improvements won't hold, because the system don't guarantee them. Just now, today, because it can suit them in some way.


I would say given the amount of time and energy is spent on the matter of drugs, in government, is a very, very large one. And legalization of would create a great change. And not one in the favor of bigger government OR big business.

Maybe, maybe not. What good things could happen? Oh, ok, less people in jail. They'll just go there anyway for something else, like questioning why their boss gets a bonus while their friends shown the way out.


And a racist maniac can be a racist maniac, so long as they have political ideas I agree with. Believe it or not, a lefty can be 10 times more racist than a right winger. Leftism is not the same as anti-racism.

Incorrect. A racist maniac can lure you with the promise of true social democracy, but you'll soon notice that his group are violently opposed to social progress. What, you think Hitler promised the people in Germany a lot of war, persecution and slave camps?

And the cause of anti-racism is leftism. All other parties change their forms like an amobae when a leading right wing party grows on stopping immigration.


I don't see why a lack of racist policies is more important than the freedom of a nation, either. Both are important.

Both belong in the trashcan of history. The importance is the wellbeing of humans, not some made up lines on a map that doesn't even scale right.

[Qayin]

give them all to me comrade

[Jethro Tull]

I don't know the details, but I've heard a lot of anarchists who are very critical of "Food not Bombs".

yes, i am one of those anarchists. however, "food not bombs" is a step in the right direction, regardless of how flawed it is. the anarchists who criticize food not bombs in favor of less social outreach tactics are the defeatists, the nihilist "insurrectionist" poseurs.


Personally, I think the revolutionary left is not strong enough or big enough to effectively eradicate drug addiction

not the point. right now we are not strong enough to do much of anything. social outreach programs will make our forces larger, not smaller.

deterring in the face of the daunting task ahead of us is defeatism.


Frankly, soup kitchens or hurricane relief or what have you are matters that I'm happy to collaborate with reformists and non-leftists in general on, and the idea that the revolutionary left get involved in such matters as the revolutionary left doesn't strike me as being very practical, primarily due to the size, isolation, and intended function of the revolutionary left.

i strongly disagree. the state-oriented left, and other capitalist forces, cannot as adequately and efficiently provide social resources such as medicine, food, shelter, mental health, etc. because they are chained and encumbered by the bureaucratic structures they've created. they are enmeshed in the same system of officialism and red tape that causes the social problems they seek to alleviate. if an element of performing their social mission would entail contradiction with the political and economic status quo, they will defer to the status quo over choosing to accomplish an aspect of their social mission.

libertarian, grass-roots, decentralized structures have proven themselves to be more effective. the charity 501(c)(3)s let plenty of people fall through the cracks...we need to fill in those cracks.

also, charities and state welfare structures are a perfect example of how capitalists seek to monopolize our daily lives, making us dependent upon them for our basic existence. we must break out and create alternatives.


But if you have the time and resources to do such things, by all means.

we must create time and resources.


I fail to see how one could open a rehabilitation clinic in a capitalist economy that magically operated outside the system of capitalism.

it won't happen "magically". (ie: without work) don't put words in my mouth. we can steal resources from the capitalists. we can also purchase resources from the capitalists. it's not an issue of being "pure", but rather an issue of developing the potential to secede from the capitalist state and ultimately confront the capitalist state.


Really. What you're saying is total idealism mixed with lifestylism.

no, the lifestylists are the people who don't want to do any social outreach.


If you open a clinic, you need to generate profits or you won't be able to afford the expenses required to provide the services.

yes, this is a problem. there are solutions to this problem. plenty of capitalist-run clinics operate without a profit. resorting to defeatism and cynicism is not the same thing as rejecting "idealism" and "lifestylism".

there are also obstacles involved with any worthy revolutionary tactic. for example, violently and directly attacking the state has a whole slew of major consequences that need to be addressed. so does propaganda. so does anything.


This is no economics lesson, it is common sense.

the point is to secede from the economy, not participate in it.


So, unless you happen to know someone who is sitting on a mound of cash

i have witnessed numerous anarchist community centers operate for years, despite the fact that the founding members had little to no cash.