Some 31 million of people who use drugs suffer from drug use disorders, meaning that their drug use is harmful to the point where they may need treatment.
People use alcohol or other drugs for various reasons: to seek pleasure, to support the difficulties of life, to improve one’s performances, etc. In most industrialized countries, alcohol and other drug use is increasing in the workplace as in society and no professional sector is immune to this phenomenon.
Despite the extent of this public health problem, people facing addictive disorders must face a highly stigmatizing moral judgment from society as a whole, particularly with regard to people who use illicit drugs. According to World Health Organization, addiction to illicit drugs is the most stigmatizing condition. The media should take a different look at addiction disorders, drug use and drug policies instead of relying on traditional narratives. The media can in particular play a significant role in combating drug-related stigma and discrimination while focusing more widely on the failure of the “War on drugs” and the need for new approaches.
Starting June 26th, the campaign “Bringing Addiction Stigma to an End” is to be launched to help raise awareness about the physical and psychological consequences of stigmatizing people facing substance use disorders or behavioural addictions. The campaign aims to emphasize that addiction is not a…
