Politicians And Drug Addiction
Addiction is a physiological condition which can affect anyone at anytime
. People of all races, religions, and creeds can fall victim to this crippling disorder, and high-profile members of society are no exception. In fact, people who spend much of their lives under public scrutiny often face more stress and higher risks of addiction than others.
Politicians are perfect examples of this phenomenon. Despite the privileged lifestyles they usually enjoy, powerful statesmen and women often turn to alcohol, prescriptions drugs, and even illegal narcotics to alleviate stress and calm their constant anxieties. Though many voters are quick to strongly chastise their elected officials for engaging in such behavior, an environment of understanding would be much more productive. People would have a much better understanding of drug addiction if they realized and accepted that even their trusted representatives can fall victim to this disease.
Drug addiction in politics is by no means confined to low-level officials. Throughout American history, congressmen and women, senators, and even presidents have been caught using drugs. For example, it was common knowledge in the mid-nineteenth century that Ulysses S. Grant was an alcoholic. Though he eventually became President, he may have lost earlier Army promotions because of his substance abuse. It is also now widely known that President George W. Bush experimented with cocaine while he was at Yale.
Such recent examples of politicians drug use have sparked a great deal of controversy and debate over national drug policy. Many people are outraged that lawmakers who have used drugs and gotten away with it also advocate extremely harsh penalties for people caught with illegal substances. In President Bushs home state of Texas, someone caught with even small amounts of cocaine faces years in prison.
Aside from the issue of hypocrisy, many citizens fear that politicians who use drugs will make rash or unwise decisions that they wouldnt even consider while sober. The combination of politicians powerful positions and propensities for drug addiction may undermine the United States democratic process.
Controversy over political drug abuse rose in the early 1990s when activists began pushing for mandatory drug testing for public officeholders. They were actually able to implement the tests in certain parts of the country, but their success was short-lived. In an election for Georgias Lieutenant Governor, candidate Walker Chandler spearheaded a legal campaign to put an end to the practice. The case made it all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 1997 that drug tests for officeholders were unconstitutional. Justices ruled that officeholders drug use did not put public safety at risk, and that the Fourth Amendments protection from search and seizure thus nullified mandatory testing.
However, similar arguments over drug use and public safety are again at the forefront of national political debate. People in favor of welfare reform often argue that recipients should undergo mandatory testing, though a large body of evidence suggests that people receiving welfare are no more likely to use drugs than any other group. In addition, opponents of this policy change say that spending the money of an already-burdened welfare system on testing would be worse for taxpayers in the long run.
Alcoholism is even more prevalent among politicians than addiction to illegal drugs. According to an Indecision Forever article, The 6 Drinkiest Politicians in US History, some of the most famous (and infamous) elected officials have struggled with alcohol abuse. They include Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Bob Packwood, President Richard Nixon, Senator John Tower, Senator Joseph McCarty, and President Grant. Other politicians suspected of heavy drinking and alcoholism are Tip ONeil, High Carey, Charlie Wilson, and Bill Clinton.
Because the neurological processes associated with addiction are the same for all substances, many politicians struggle with both illegal drugs and alcohol. In addition to having used cocaine, George W. Bush was arrested for drunk driving in 1976. Vice President Cheney was arrested twice for the same infraction in the 1960s.
Overall, addiction afflicts high profile figures of every type not just politicians. It has become commonplace for the news media to report the substance abuse problems of athletes, music artists, and famous business executives. Though the public typically responds to such stories with outrage and scorn, addiction can happen to anyone.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, use the links below to get help now. Our dedicated addiction specialists are standing by day and night to help you get back your life back on track. Dont wait until its too late.
by: Leiaste Ploneck
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