We spoke with Kathy O’Keefe about drug addiction and prevention. Read how she and WTF are helping loved ones come together during their darkest hour.
In American society, the term “addict” is often synonymous with something sinister. Rather than recognizing and empathizing with a person who has faults and feelings, society has turned to ostracizing instead of helping those who self-medicate through vices. This vicious cycle of stigma that criminalizes addicts instead of rehabilitating them, increases recidivism and the likelihood of relapse. And, instead of seeking help, the stigma instills a sense of shame in users; feelings of guilt and that they must face their demons alone, when it should not be this way.