Brief on Addiction, The War on Drugs, and Systemic Racism

I've noticed a similar thread in how our society approaches remedying addiction as well as crime (which is generally skewed negatively towards PoC) that is absolutely backwards. There is certainly positive change occurring in both spaces, but as with anything it is imperative to try to define the problem effectively.

We treat mental illness as a crime and as such make criminals. We punish people for their lack of connections to what fulfills them and add barriers that prevent connection from ever occurring. We then release these people into the world and are surprised when they relapse. We've done nothing but perpetuate their addiction.

We treat poverty as a crime and as such make criminals. We punish people for minor offences and create barriers that prevent them from ascending from poverty. We release them from bondage and are surprised when their only way to make a living is through more crime. We've done nothing but perpetuate criminal behavior.

I'm curious as to just how intertwined both are. We know the war on drugs was a disaster for addicts, and we know it has been disproportionately harsh on PoC and all people of poverty. The two are absolutely not exclusive as people in poverty (as well as higher levels of stress, lack of positive connections, limits on their personal potential...its not hard to connect all of these to PoC in today's America) are more likely to abuse drugs.

I don't know the solutions to these issues, but I do know they have to be rooted in caring for those who need care rather than punishment. Switzerland and Portugal have been great models on how to end an addiction crisis, and my intuition leads me to believe a similar approach to what they have adopted could begin to raise PoC to equal footing in the U.S. and creating a more compassionate, fulfilled, and prosperous society.