Is paying people to not use drugs a good idea?

[msc545]

California is introducing a pilot program in 24 counties that will pay meth users to quit the drug. In San Francisco, participants will get $10 gift cards for Walmart or another retailer each time their drug tests return negative.

Numerous studies have found the strategy to be highly effective, yet some people have "moral" objections to this treatment strategy. What do you think?

It is a good idea

Very bad idea

Updates

+1 y

The thing about this is that this method works VERY well in getting people to stop using. Still think it's not worth it?

Updates

+1 y

it is a bad idea only if you don't factor in costs and instead factor in your personal need for vengence.

[lightbulb27]

no idea, I'd have to understand why that works and for how long.

fundamentally, people need solid families, love, support, challenge and help getting out of vicious cycles. God is often required.

money, strikes me as temporary. $10... that won't buy one hamburger now.

I don't get it... it's amazing how many BS approaches people will come up to solve human emotional problems which turn into physical/chemical addictions.

What if we pay alcoholics not to drink alcohol? Every time they show up at the bar or checkout with the drug, they get $5?

It will work... to some extent... but they are still an addict... e. g. a slave, maybe a less dangerous one.

People need salvation deep inside to heal, that's my view based upon experience.

[lightbulb27]

basically, they need a crutch after being wounded. Religion is a crutch I've seen work. all the worldly stuff... candy, food, money, alternate drugs... will not satisfy the craving they really yearn for... connectedness, love, acceptance, value, purpose, meaning, hope, direction., clarity...

[zeitgeist057]

If it is shown to be effective, then I don't see the problem. I'm very much a fan of statistics and had number to make decisions.

It's much cheaper to give someone $10 or even 10 X $10 to stay off meth, than to pay police to chase them around when they're stealing toasters to sell at the pawn shop, or the cost of clinics to treat the STIs they get sucking peepee for rock. The overhead on treatment, incarceration, all that and more, it's much more expensive than some gift cards. Plus the results are better.

I get that no one want to "reward for bad behavior" or even "reward for not screwing up", but we are promoting good behavior and I think it pays dividends into the future.

[VIVANT]

I think people should be helped out of addiction cycles which often tho not always results from impossible uphill struggles like poverty trauma etc etc. so sure if the gift cards help but I think being housed and fed are critical too. 10$ is nothing if you’re on the streets. But I’m def not against it 👍🏼

[DermalPunch]

Creative. My inly objection is Walmart. Give independent biz owners a chance to get in on it somehow so they can benefit.

[richardcory]

Doesn't that already happen indirectly? People who use drugs have difficulty holding down jobs and tend to make a lot less money than those who don't.

Also difficult to implement - do we just give everyone money every week if they pass a drug test?

[Iron_Man]

They don’t care about that cheap card once they’re hooked they’re hooked, then then they need professional rehab help to come off of it. They probably lie and say they’re off drugs just to get the card and then when they go back home, they start back in again you can beat pee drug test like Mike Tyson used to do it when he was on cocaine

[VIVANT]

They can’t lie it is if the test comes back negative

[Iron_Man]

@VIVANT some people take a fake piss test like Mike Tyson I read about that

[VIVANT]

Yes but not everyone can do that lol they’d run out of pissers 😂

[exitseven]

@Iron_Man They never give it up. Rehab is just a scam. It is nothing but wishful thinking. The day these people stuck that needle in their arm it was all over.

[BigDog1989]

No, since then they would just go and use that money to buy more drugs

The only way to stop drug use, is to not make it all so expensive, big pharma I mean. My mom pays an exorbitant amount of money on meds, all because of the price of them

[RealMarek]

Where’s my free money for not doing self-destructive things?

[Fireguy17]

it will not cure an addiction.
The person has to want to quit doing whatever they are addicted to, or they will never stop.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Not a good idea, but there has to be other ways to get someone off of illegal drugs.

[Anemone978]

Nope just a waste of more tax dollars.. they should get incarcerated if their test comes back positive.. makes more sense..

[MementoMori777]

They will use the money to buy drugs tho, it's not like anyone will know lol

[exitseven]

Next they will pay people not to rob banks.

[exitseven]

I had an uncle who was a cop. He said there should be big piles of drugs outside city hall and let the drug addicts have c as much as they want

[BoopBoopBeep]

I don't do drugs, may I have $10?

[jahaims]

Lmfao. Someone has never done drugs

[Lokiion]

The worst thing you could do damn near