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Quotes from Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear — Carl Hart

born 1966 United States

← All quotes by Carl Hart

10 quotes

Attention-grabbing headlines claiming that opioids (or any other drug) are killing people are wrong. Ignorance and poverty are killing people, just as they have for centuries.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

America's drug regime is a monstrous, incoherent mess.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

I'm now firm in my belief that marijuana is a key ingredient to happiness for a great number of people. What kind of person prevents another's responsible pursuit of happiness? Not a very humane one.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

Drugs are inert substances. The evidence tells us that we must look beyond the drug itself when trying to help people with drug addiction.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

If the ideas expressed in this book are embraced, we can get on with the business of treating each other better and enjoying more meaningful and fulfilling lives. And isn't that what we all want?

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

From my own experience-the combination of my scientific work and my personal drug use, I have learned that recreational drugs can be used safely to enhance many vital human activities.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

the first priority of law enforcement should be to keep users safe, not to arrest them.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

the war on drugs is not a war on drugs; it’s a war on us.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

As with previous “drug crises,” the opioid problem is not really about opioids. It’s mainly about cultural, social, and environmental factors such as racism, draconian drug laws, and diverting attention away from the real causes of crime and suffering.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

The key is to keep the focus on people's actions, on their behaviors, rather than speculate about their motives. Trying to determine what's in a person's head or heart is a pointless distraction. It's impossible to know for certain the heart's inner secrets.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear (2021)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Carl Hart (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.