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American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

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Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#2
Justice is such a poor way to describe what is happening here. I have full empathy with those who have struggled with opioid addiction or lost loved ones to the disease. But the fact is that opioid prescriptions are still being written with too little oversight, too few safeguards, and not enough support for patients. Withstanding such contradiction in treatment of opioid suppliers, the federal government cannot keep treating opioid abuse on the supply side. We need solutions that focus on patient health and wellness. An opioid on its own does not result in overdoses or abuse, and even moderate use can be balanced with a healthy lifestyle. The DOJ does not have the tools, skills, or experience necessary to address the public health crisis that is opioid abuse.

Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#4

Justice is such a poor way to describe what is happening here. I have full empathy with those who have struggled with opioid addiction or lost loved ones to the disease. But the fact is that opioid prescriptions are still being written with too little oversight, too few safeguards, and not enough support for patients. Withstanding such contradiction in treatment of opioid suppliers, the federal government cannot keep…

The DOJ has a hammer. They’re using that hammer in the only way they can (supply side). If you want the demand side fixed, fix it locally (and lobby the federal government for more funds if necessary). The St Petersburg police department (Florida) recently announced they’d hire 25 social workers instead of 25 police officers to address social needs that would’ve previously been handled suboptimally as a police dispatch. There is evidence local efforts can be made when the appetite and will is present.

Having seen opioid addiction up close, I have a hard time not condoning DOJ actions. It’s not perfect, but nothing is.

Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#5
post #3

I see Silkroad mentioned, so I’m assuming these were crimes committed years ago? 23,900 bitcoin? That was a big business. No wonder why they were targeted.

If it truly was at the time of the original silkroad, you have to consider the change in value of btc since then to get a more realistic idea of the size and value of their business. Not saying it wasn't big, no idea, just stating we should consider that fact.

Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#7
post #6

A victimless crime - unless you think we should be locking up all of the alcohol sellers? Alcohol addiction is a sad, sad affair. I would rather someone be addicted to pharmaceutical grade opioids than street heroin laced with fentanyl and other junk.

> I would rather someone be addicted to pharmaceutical grade opioids than street heroin laced with fentanyl and other junk.

The two addictions are more or less the same. Someone addicted to street heroin can substitute pharmaceutical grade opioids. Someone addicted to pharmaceutical grade opioids can substitute street heroin. This is largely a class discrepancy, as the higher tolerance a person has the more expensive the pharmaceutical grade opioid use is compared to street heroin.

Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#8
post #7
post #6

A victimless crime - unless you think we should be locking up all of the alcohol sellers? Alcohol addiction is a sad, sad affair. I would rather someone be addicted to pharmaceutical grade opioids than street heroin laced with fentanyl and other junk.

> I would rather someone be addicted to pharmaceutical grade opioids than street heroin laced with fentanyl and other junk. The two addictions are more or less the same. Someone addicted to street heroin can substitute pharmaceutical grade opioids. Someone addicted to pharmaceutical grade opioids can substitute street heroin. This is largely a class discrepancy, as the higher tolerance a person has the more expensive…

I don't believe I commit any crime when I put any substance of my choice into my own body, regardless of what the state says.

Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#9

Justice is such a poor way to describe what is happening here. I have full empathy with those who have struggled with opioid addiction or lost loved ones to the disease. But the fact is that opioid prescriptions are still being written with too little oversight, too few safeguards, and not enough support for patients. Withstanding such contradiction in treatment of opioid suppliers, the federal government cannot keep…

Opioids are among the best medications for treating severe pain. If we're focusing on patients I'd much rather focus on rehabilitative strategies since the current degree of increased scrutiny is already making accessing adequate medication more difficult for groups like the elderly or people with chronic pain. Even more increased oversight is just going to escalate hesitation among doctors.

Re: American darknet vendor and Costa Rican pharmacist charged

#10

Justice is such a poor way to describe what is happening here. I have full empathy with those who have struggled with opioid addiction or lost loved ones to the disease. But the fact is that opioid prescriptions are still being written with too little oversight, too few safeguards, and not enough support for patients. Withstanding such contradiction in treatment of opioid suppliers, the federal government cannot keep…

The DOJ has a hammer. They’re using that hammer in the only way they can (supply side). If you want the demand side fixed, fix it locally (and lobby the federal government for more funds if necessary). The St Petersburg police department (Florida) recently announced they’d hire 25 social workers instead of 25 police officers to address social needs that would’ve previously been handled suboptimally as a police dispat…

As long as the US federal government and the DEA continue their ridiculous war on drugs and refuse to reclassify certain substances despite overwhelming popular and scientific support I fear that any action by regular folks is wasted. It’s clear that higher powers prevail and as long as big pharma keeps funneling money into our “Democratic System” logic and reason will lose out to money and influence.
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