Do you believe that we are responsible for one another as a society?

[Anonymous]

I saw a billboard the other day that said a certain group of people are dying from opioid overdose. It went on to say "it's your problem too". Is it, though?

[provokeesmokee]

Yeah, I think there's such a thing as social obligation.

The labour movement, for example. We only enjoy 5 day work weeks and 8h days thanks to a large portion of the population banding together to demand change.

Lots of people complain about "druggies and tweakers" but support the politicians and companies that introduced the opioid epidemic into America. If they acted in accordance to social obligation and did research, they'd know their support directly contributed to the issues they're dissatisfied with.

People sticking their heads in the sand and trying to avoid the harsh realities of what it means to live as a society in a social group tend to be angry and upset but have no clue how to act. And that makes them vulnerable to bad actors who make them fall for conspiracies - many of which are funded by the parties and companies who are damaging those communities.

[Siri137]

No, it isn't my problem. People are free to make their own choices in life, and the fact that many individuals make bad choices isn't something that I should lose any sleep over, unless the decisions they've made affect me in some way. Then it becomes my problem as well (ex. if a drug addict breaks into my home in search of drugs or money, neither of which I have in my home). People need to take responsibility for their own lives, and not always expect others (mainly the government) to always bail them out when things go wrong, when their choices backfire.

[Agagagagaga]

Yeah... because it’s not like people who just went through a bad car accident or had surgery, or who wrecked their backs doing manual labor EVER get prescribed addictive opioids for pain control...

[Siri137]

@Agagagagaga Late last year I did something to my lower back that required major surgery. It ended up costing me approx. $22,000 all up. Good thing I had the money saved up, but my point is that I did what had to be done to fix an unacceptable situation (it got so bad I couldn't even get out of bed).
Sure, accidents happen, and health over time deteriorates, but if someone has cancer, for example, how am I in any way responsible for that? If someone develops an addiction to opioids, isn't that something that only they can overcome?

[Anonymous]

No, in the sense you're not obligated to, you shouldn't be expected to, and you shouldn't be shunned if you don't.

That being said, compassion and helpfulness is always a could thing.

[Anonymous]

No its not our problem, but we make an effort to help friends in need of assistance.

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks.