James Kenneth Embry

James Kenneth Embry had a mental illness. James Kenneth Embry was a drug addict. James Kenneth Embry went to prison for drugs. James Kenneth Embry was denied medication for his mental illness in prison. James Kenneth Embry died of starvation in an American prison.

James Kenneth Embry was a human being. James Kenneth Embry deserved care on the streets of Murka and James Kenneth Embry deserved care in a cage in Murka.

Dammit, Murka. I'd bet $20 that this man took drugs because he had a mental illness. Instead of treating him, we imprison him and then instead of treating him, we kill him.

I don't have really anything else to say, except that we are not even close to the great country on Earth.

Better Living Through Chemistry

From a writing prompt on our Honors Psychology Discussion Board:

Why do people first begin using drugs? Because it is easier for teens to buy drugs than alcohol. Ba dum ching! No, not really. While the above is sadly true, there is no one line answer for this question. I believe that a variety of factors play into the decision to use drugs, assuming that illegal intoxicants are what we are focusing on.

Our first exposures to drugs as a concept are as small children. “Take this,” we instruct our children. “It will make you feel better.” Then we gulp a caffeinated, sugary soda to prepare to stay up all night with them. We begin our mornings with coffee and end our evenings with a nightcap. We celebrate with wine and champagne. We step out to smoke a cigarette while the television blares out commercials advertising magical pills to fix all of life’s problems, from depression to erectile dysfunction. We take those pills, and our children see it. We prime our children for 'better living through chemistry'. Is it any surprise that they seek out what we show them?