Understanding America’s Missteps with Drug Addiction

America’s drug crisis did not originate with fentanyl. It stemmed from a series of decisions once considered compassionate. Prescribing opioids for pain, reducing punitive measures, and attempting to make drug use safer seemed like well-intentioned choices. However, as addiction spread and fentanyl became more prevalent, these strategies proved inadequate for the challenges communities face.

Host Megan McArdle engages with Keith Humphreys, a Stanford professor and psychologist, to dissect the misconceptions surrounding drug addiction in the U.S. They discuss why overdose death rates are finally showing signs of decline, where harm reduction went astray, and how future strategies might improve the situation.

The conversation aims to shed light on the journey that led to the current state of addiction issues and explores alternative approaches that may yield better outcomes in the ongoing battle against drug abuse in America.