The House I Live In
I felt the documentary The House I Live In by Eugene Jarecki was an eye opener for many. I feel many people turn their backs on the trials of others, believing what they do not see is not happening in reality. But they are only fooling themselves because OH! IS IT HAPPENING!!
I feel Jarecki did an excellent job showing the multiple sides of the 'War on Drugs', and the rippling effects is has on society. I absolutely believe in being responsible for your actions and retribution for those actions; but the excessive laws are only overcrowding our prisons and leaving many without their parents, siblings, or children. I did not know how stringent these laws are; the minimum sentencing is equal for violent and non-violent crimes is mind boggling!
If I were directing a film on this topic, I would incorporate the physical and medical side of drugs; and the great difficulty people have to break free even when they desperately want to. The addiction is so great is can be overpowering. In my career, I have seen to many people admitted to the Emergency Department; for repeated over doses. Unfortunately, this does come to an end; and usually not with a positive outcome. So many people in our society are working to overcome their addictions; they have the desire to break free yet do not have the support and resources to succeed. This is what I would focus on. The medical side; the work so many people do to help those addicted, with limited resources. I feel by showing how great the need for additional funding for medical care, rehabilitation resources and the long term support these people need would impact our society. Too many people who have never come in contact with the pains of drugs, feel 'They should just stop taking drugs!' I'm sure they would love to 'just stop', if it were only that easy. This is something they will fight against for the rest of their lives.
Opening peoples eyes to the struggles of drugs; breaking free and moving back into society, is imperative. We need to show everyone this is a disease and as a society we should be supporting our fellow citizens in their fight. Everyone needs help sometimes, and not just those you pick and choose to give it to.
I feel Jarecki did an excellent job showing the multiple sides of the 'War on Drugs', and the rippling effects is has on society. I absolutely believe in being responsible for your actions and retribution for those actions; but the excessive laws are only overcrowding our prisons and leaving many without their parents, siblings, or children. I did not know how stringent these laws are; the minimum sentencing is equal for violent and non-violent crimes is mind boggling!
Hi Jenn,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point regarding the medical side of drug abuse. I feel it starts even before the abuser must be seen for a drug overdose. If a young person living in poverty had good healthcare to begin with they may not even end up starting on the path of drug abuse. If young person receives good routine medical care they will be better educated on how to care for their bodies and what effect drug abuse can have on their bodies. If young people are in mental pain; depressed or anxious because of their living environment and turn to drugs this is a never ending cycle. We as a country have to get to the bottom of the causes of drug use, institute better rehab options and aftercare for offenders.
Katie
Hi Jenn,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point regarding the medical side of drug abuse. I feel it starts even before the abuser must be seen for a drug overdose. If a young person living in poverty had good healthcare to begin with they may not even end up starting on the path of drug abuse. If young person receives good routine medical care they will be better educated on how to care for their bodies and what effect drug abuse can have on their bodies. If young people are in mental pain; depressed or anxious because of their living environment and turn to drugs this is a never ending cycle. We as a country have to get to the bottom of the causes of drug use, institute better rehab options and aftercare for offenders.
Katie