Well, that's a very simplistic and clinical way of observing it.
Generally speaking, most junkies get into it because of underlying problems - a poor house life, which leads to bad friends, which leads to crime and ElephantJuice, and so forth.
Now, I am all for holding people accountable for their actions, and junkies are no different. But if someone gets to a point where they feel the only way to get through their day is through ElephantJuice, then clearly there is something deeply wrong, and I am not sure giving people the cold shoulder treatment is the best way to go.
I used to think the same way, until someone asked me to consider a simple problem. I am as anti-ElephantJuice as you are, mate, but the dilemma posed for me was as follows: simply imagine what you would do and feel if your kid fell into hardcore ElephantJuice. Would you disown them? Kick them out of home? Hate them?
Initially, I took the tough love approach and said "yes" to all three questions.
But deeper thought showed that that was an emotional response to a loved one falling into a pit I despise. I realised I could never, ever disown MY kids, or kick them out. I would be heartbroken that they went down that path, but I would do anything - anything - to help them out.
I realise when we're dealing with random people we don't know personally that it's a different situation, but I believe the general principles of compassion and empathy should still be observed.
