The hottest Drug policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

I Say Thank You to Big Pharma

In My Tribe • 455 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Medical Research Drug policy Healthcare systems
  1. It's important to keep encouraging medical research because it brings a lot of benefits to society. We rely on a mix of private and government support for this research.
  2. Cutting drug prices without considering the negative effects might hurt medical research and innovation. We should think about the long-term impact of such changes.
  3. Using prizes instead of patents could lead to fairer rewards for drug developers and might reduce some issues in the research funding system.

There is No Ideal Drug Policy

Freddie deBoer • 3310 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Prohibition Criminal Justice Public Health Political Ideology
  1. There is no perfect solution for drug policy because people will always seek out drugs, and some might suffer serious consequences from their choices. It's important to accept that addiction and tragedy can happen, regardless of the laws in place.
  2. Efforts to decriminalize drugs often come with challenges, but reverting to strict prohibition has historically failed and leads to more harm than good. Enforcing harsh penalties on the drug trade can result in a cycle of injustice and social problems.
  3. The idea that every issue has a simple solution can be misleading. Sometimes, trying to fix a complex problem like drug use with quick fixes can create more issues rather than resolving the existing ones.

The Case Against California Proposition 36

Astral Codex Ten • 8603 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Reform Criminal Justice Drug policy
  1. Proposition 36 would increase penalties for certain drug and theft crimes, but tough sentences don't actually lower drug use or reduce crime rates. It's important to focus on better treatment options instead of just harsher punishments.
  2. The law proposes a new 'treatment-mandated felony' but lacks funding for adequate treatment facilities. California desperately needs more treatment beds to help those struggling with addiction.
  3. Shoplifting rates are rising, but it's not just because of previous laws like Prop 47. Focusing on smarter policing and addressing the root causes of crime is more effective than simply increasing penalties.

Are drugs good? Are side effects bad? It depends on what you're trying to do.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 895 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Drug policy Mental health Medical Ethics Psychedelics Pharmaceuticals
  1. The good or bad nature of drugs really depends on what you're trying to achieve with them. It's important to consider the purpose behind using any drug.
  2. Different drugs can have different effects. For example, psychedelics can be helpful for depression but dangerous for someone who is unstable. It's all about context.
  3. Drugs should be viewed as tools that work in specific ways. We need to determine if those effects match what we want for our health or goals.

A Modest Disposal

The Fry Corner • 2457 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Drug policy Public Health Substance Abuse Mental health
  1. Banning a specific drug could significantly improve the world. The idea is that removing this drug will bring about positive change for humanity.
  2. Many people have different experiences with drugs. Some have never tried anything, while others have tried many different kinds.
  3. There is a strong belief that finding solutions to drug-related issues can lead to happiness and fulfillment for society. A comprehensive plan may help tackle these challenges.
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Biden’s Commutations

David Friedman’s Substack • 323 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial system Drug policy Criminal Justice
  1. Biden pardoned 39 people convicted of non-violent offenses, mostly related to drugs. This helps them rebuild their lives by removing convictions from their records.
  2. He also commuted the sentences of 1499 others still in prison, allowing them to be released but still keeping their criminal records. Some of these cases drew criticism, especially concerning a judge involved in a major bribery scandal.
  3. Critics argue that Biden's policy to commute sentences was too broad and didn't consider the individual circumstances of those being released. There's concern that some who received commutations, like the corrupt judge, still deserved harsher punishment.

The Next Million Fentanyl Deaths are on You, New Hampshire

Unsafe • 2594 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Foreign Relations Immigration Public Health
  1. Fentanyl crisis misdirected blame towards China instead of addressing real sources like Mexico.
  2. International efforts have reduced China's involvement in fentanyl trade, but the issue persists from other countries like India.
  3. Blaming China for fentanyl deaths deflects focus from tackling problems closer to home, like Mexican cartel activities.

How China-Bashing Fuels the Fentanyl Crisis

Nonzero Newsletter • 496 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Political Rhetoric Public Health Foreign Relations Elections
  1. Fentanyl is causing a huge problem in the U.S., killing more people than several wars combined. It affects many lives, from kids to adults, and costs the economy a lot of money.
  2. China used to be the main source of fentanyl in the U.S., but after 2019, their role changed. Now, Mexican drug cartels make the drug using chemicals from China.
  3. Politicians are blaming China to gain votes, but the reality is more complex. A better understanding of the crisis is needed to solve it, rather than just pointing fingers at another country.

Two Mexicos

Diane Francis • 1218 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade Relations Crime Policy Economic Growth Drug policy International relations
  1. Mexico's economy is booming, making it the top trading partner for the U.S. since it offers tariff-free exports, especially in manufacturing. This growth is significant, but it also hides the country's ongoing struggles with crime and drug cartels.
  2. The drug trade contributes greatly to violence in Mexico, with over 30,000 murders recorded in a single year. This results in a stark contrast between a thriving economy and a dangerous underworld, leading to chaos in many regions.
  3. The U.S. has a role in Mexico's challenges due to its demand for drugs and porous borders. Solutions like sealing the border and addressing addiction more effectively may be necessary to help both countries combat these issues.

American Narco State Capture

Diane Francis • 899 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Corruption Crime Latin America Law enforcement
  1. Ecuador is facing serious issues with drug cartels, leading to violence and political assassinations. The assassination of a presidential candidate shows how deeply rooted these problems are in the country.
  2. Mexican drug cartels are now controlling a significant portion of the illegal drug trade, expanding their influence from Colombia to the United States. This rise in cartel power is linked to high rates of crime and corruption across Latin America.
  3. Current approaches to fighting drug trafficking, like the War on Drugs, have largely failed. Some experts suggest that legalization and treating addiction as a health issue, rather than a crime, might help alleviate this ongoing crisis.

A Federal Moonshot for Better Addiction Medications Can Help Us Escape the Crisis

Curing Addiction • 159 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Treatment Public Health Medical Research Drug policy
  1. The United States faces a worsening addiction crisis with increasing drug overdose deaths and huge economic and social costs.
  2. Addiction disorders rank high in disability-adjusted life years, similar to heart disease, yet there's minimal investment in new addiction medications compared to other major diseases.
  3. Developing novel breakthrough medical treatments for addiction, similar to past successes like HIV treatments, could significantly impact and potentially cure addiction.

The War on Drugs Targets People, Not Substances

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Social Disparities Criminal Justice Public Health
  1. Drug prohibition perpetuates racial and social disparities, serving as a tool for division and maintaining social order.
  2. The War on Drugs may not have succeeded in its stated goal of reducing drug use, but it has been successful in boosting police budgets and expanding harm among marginalized communities.
  3. The emphasis on controlling people rather than substances in the War on Drugs has led to an increase in prison populations, incentivizing more arrests and further marginalization.

How Phenibut Went From Russian Space Drug to American Addiction

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Anxiety Drug policy
  1. Phenibut was initially used by Russian cosmonauts for anxiety and sleep during space missions due to its calming effects and GABA-related properties.
  2. Phenibut, an analog of GABA, can have both stimulating and sedating effects depending on the dosage, posing risks of addiction and severe withdrawals when misused.
  3. The use of phenibut is on the rise in the United States among young adults, despite efforts by government agencies to regulate its availability due to its addictive nature.

An ounce of opioid prevention

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 279 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Drug policy Public Health Addiction Treatment Legislation Preventive Care
  1. Preventing opioid addiction is just as important as treating those who are already addicted. Focusing on prevention could help stop more people from becoming addicted in the first place.
  2. The U.S. prescribes a huge amount of opioids compared to other countries, which contributes to the addiction crisis. Many people who end up using heroin were first given opioids through prescriptions.
  3. State and federal policies should shift towards reducing unnecessary opioid prescriptions. Educating doctors and patients about pain management can help lower opioid use and its associated risks.

Mexico's Standoff

Diane Francis • 539 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Border Security Crime Drug policy International relations
  1. The U.S.-Mexico border situation is really about crime and smuggling, not just immigration. Drug cartels and corrupt officials are making this problem worse.
  2. Many people trying to cross into the U.S. aren't actual refugees but are taking advantage of the system to enter illegally. This puts a strain on safety and resources.
  3. America's drug problem drives this crisis. Until it's addressed, the issues at the border will keep growing and possibly turn into a bigger conflict.

What RFK Jr. can do as Secretary of Health and Human Services

Unreported Truths • 91 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Public Health Health Policy Drug policy Vaccine Policy
  1. Limit how often drugs can be advertised to help patients make better choices. It’s important to make sure medicine is about health, not just selling products.
  2. Open up information about COVID-19 and vaccine safety to the public. This means sharing everything from lab investigations to side effects so people can trust what they’re getting.
  3. Make healthcare more affordable by promoting cheaper generic options and limiting hospital executive pay. This can help more people access the care they need without high costs.

The Coming Anti-Drug Backlash

American Dreaming • 169 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Law enforcement
  1. Marijuana decriminalization and legalization in the US have been positive for freedom, but public consumption may trigger a backlash.
  2. Recent focus on public drug use threatens the progress made in drug reform policies, sparking concerns and potential reversal of gains.
  3. Efforts are needed to balance drug legalization with regulations on public drug use to avoid a resurgence of anti-drug sentiments and policies.

Policing the Cops

Diane Francis • 339 implied HN points • 03 May 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policing Legislation Gun Control Social justice Drug policy
  1. Policing in America has become very militarized, often lacking proper training and accountability. Many officers are poorly trained and some act with bias or aggression.
  2. The increase of video evidence from smartphones and body cameras is pushing for accountability in police actions. Public scrutiny is growing, and each police incident is likely to lead to protests and demands for change.
  3. To reduce police violence, America needs to focus on better training for officers, civilian oversight, and treating drug issues as health problems rather than criminal ones. There are examples in other countries that could provide a better model.

Death Is The Consequence of The Void

The Drug Users Bible • 19 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Drug policy Harm Reduction
  1. Governments should provide drug safety information because it can save lives. When they treat users as criminals, it creates a lack of important information.
  2. A project called the Drug Users Bible provides harm reduction information for drug users. This resource has been made available for free and has already been widely downloaded.
  3. Everyone can help by sharing safety information and resources within their communities. If officials won't help, we can step up and support each other.

The Gringo-Mexican Standoff

Diane Francis • 319 implied HN points • 18 Mar 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Drug policy Border Security Political Debate Criminal Justice
  1. The situation at the US-Mexico border is not just about immigration but largely driven by drug cartels that control the flow of migrants and drugs between the two countries. These cartels are exploiting the system for profit.
  2. Many people crossing the border as asylum seekers are actually just trying to bypass immigration laws, which is causing strain on US border officials. The asylum system is being manipulated by some migrants who are helped by these cartels.
  3. A serious approach is needed from both the U.S. and Mexico to tackle the drug problem and illegal migration. This includes changing laws, treating addiction as a health issue, and reinforcing law enforcement efforts against cartels.

Lethal Injection Hates Sunlight

The Medicine & Justice Project • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal system Drug policy Human Rights Death Penalty Prison System
  1. Lethal injection has serious problems and risks, despite court decisions claiming it to be humane when it goes as planned.
  2. Pharmaceutical companies have played a role in influencing the availability of drugs for lethal injections.
  3. States have enacted shield laws to protect the anonymity of those involved in lethal injections, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The Obedient Quango [The Rise & Fall Of Ephenidine]

The Drug Users Bible • 0 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Drug policy Public Health Regulation Substance Use Government Action
  1. Ephenidine is a dissociative drug that has not been linked to any deaths or serious health issues. It has not been used or detected in the UK since 2017.
  2. The UK government has banned ephenidine despite the lack of evidence showing it poses a public health risk. This was mainly done to look tough on drugs in the media.
  3. Banning drugs with no medical use seems like a way for the government to make a statement, even when there's no real danger associated with them.

The Ministry Of Propaganda [Journalists Are Not Your Friends]

The Drug Users Bible • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Ethics Drug policy Public awareness Social justice
  1. Many journalists today are more focused on following the agenda set by their paymasters instead of reporting the truth. This can lead to misleading stories, especially about drugs.
  2. Education is key in reporting on drugs. Journalists should provide accurate information on drug safety and avoid using stigmatizing language.
  3. It's important for readers to be skeptical of mainstream media about drug issues. Journalists often have a narrative to follow that's not always trustworthy.