Amid rising hostility toward drug users in Vancouver, Gabor Maté urges empathy (CBC NEWS)

Karen Clemmer 9/6/205:30 AM

By Ben Mussett, September 5, 2020, CBC News.

'I've never met a single person who ever chose to be a drug addict,' the addictions expert said.

Why do some people show little empathy for drug users?

Dr. Gabor Maté says it's because not enough of us recognize the intense personal trauma that pushes a person to become dependent on illicit substances.

"In our society, we tend to look at people's behaviours, rather than ask what is behind the behaviour," explained the physician and renowned addictions expert.

At a time of record-high overdose deaths in B.C., he believes politicians have a choice to make: Do they want to be "leaders" by implementing science-based solutions to confront the overdose crisis?

[Please click here to read more.]

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'I've never met a single person who ever chose to be a drug addict,' the addictions expert said.

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