Members of Alcoholics Anonymous contribute to the problem because they think they can not speak out. The public would then be able to see that there are more addicts among middle and upper class whites than any other segment of the population. The public needs to see the faces of people who get better through treatment. Of the young persons who experiment with chemicals in order to be accepted by their peer group none ever intends to become addicted. The current policy of incarceration for those who do is as sick as addition itself.
Treatment costs less and can turn around a young person's life.
On completion of his presentation he received a standing ovation from the audience of scientists, researchers, and lay public. Robert Kennedy's grandson died from an overpowering addiction to cocaine. His sister, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is now Lt. Governor of Maryland on her way to becoming governor. Speaking on CNN recently, she avoided the chance to speak to a national audience about drug policies and laws, or about the insanity of our tax supported national Drug Enforcement Agency.