Russell Brand Understands Need for Alcohol and Drug Awareness Classes

by: Mike Miller
5/8/2017

British actor Russell Brand is a recovering drug addict. As such he is well-aware of why people use drugs, how they become addicted, and how to get clean. Now he is taking his personal knowledge to the government to help them deal with an ever-increasing drug problem in the United Kingdom.

Brand told the British government that it needs to adopt a pragmatic approach to address the social issues that lead young people to take drugs. This according to Reuters.

Brand, a former heroin addict who has been arrested 12 times, appeared before politicians to give his views on the government's drug policies and his battle with drug addiction. Typical of Brand, he made a flashy statement with his attire. Dressed in a flamboyant ensemble of black, Brand struck a contrast against the formally attired politicians with his long coat, vest, hat and leather wristbands.

Based on his experiences, Brand stressed the importance addressing addiction as an illness rather than a criminal or judicial matter.

Brand rightly stated that the status of a drug is irrelevant to a drug addict. If you're a drug addict, you're getting drugs. I am not sure I agree with his stance that they should consider decriminalizing drugs, but he did make a few valid points.

Brand called for more awareness and research into abstinence-based recovery, which he underwent to treat his addiction at rehabilitation charity Focus12, of which he is a patron.

The comedian has written about his struggle with drug addiction in his autobiography "My Booky Wook" in 2007 and wrote a touching obituary about singer Amy Winehouse when she died last year after battling alcohol and drug abuse for years.

Again I am not sure what the answer is, but just do not feel right to make drugs easier to access and easier to morally justify its use. I think more drug classes and rehabilitation is a step in the right direction.