Joe Mangiacotti on Casefiles from the LPDAM Dec 4th 2021

LPDAM: Case files: Addiction
JOE:
Sean one of the biggest issues our society is facing today is addition. How do you see its impact on the
next generation?
JOE:
I would like to start by saying “Addiction is giving up everything for one thing. Whereas, recovery, on the
other hand, is giving up one thing for everything.” Addiction is a sad part of our society Joe. The truth is
we do not value our youth to be proactive enough to curve or illuminate the drug flow into our
communities. This is no knock on the reactive side of addiction, like the police and social workers who
deal with the addictive personalities every day. I am talking about a real war on drugs, not a tag line
spewed from our nation’s capital. I am serious about identifying the core issue at its inception.
JOE:
What do you think the core issue is with a majority of people using drugs for the first time?
SEAN:
Simply boredom! Trying to fit in is another top contender, Joe. So, how can we combat the obvious; be
initiative-taking or proactive in our communities. Truly hold individuals accountable for providing drugs
to others. I am not talking a slap on the wrist; I am talking mandatory time in jail. We are talking about
8% of our population is lost to drug addiction. They are no longer productive citizens and oddly enough,
it is an acceptable practice in America.
JOE:
How could we change the current trend in America?
SEAN:
Joe, it is not as complicated as people make it. It will take time and years to curve the mentality or
acceptance of drug use in the U.S. However, it can be done! By investing in youth, communities need to
fix their parks; build facilities where our teens can thrive & be in a safe environment; a place where we
can help build their confidence in themselves. It is possible. At our high schools we need to change our
approach with sports. For example, if you can field multiple competitive teams, then do it. Wouldn’t it
make sense to spend money proactively with sports rather than reactively with drug addiction. I could
name high school after high school where they have large numbers at tryouts and only a few make a
team. Many of the athletes’ careers are over and they become bored. This boredom is dangerous and
unnecessary in a country as wealthy as the United States. We have an institutional accountability to
protect the next generations from the world of drugs. We need to value our youth more and invest in
proactive measures to keep them safe from entering this dark world of drug use.
JOE:
Sean, we certainly do have a higher responsibility to our youth.
SEAN:
Joe, I think its time the world took LPDAM’s motto of “you’re in good hands with LPDAM.” Wouldn’t be
nice to hear the next generation saying “you’re in good hands with our government; our neighbors; and
our friends”