Problem: In a paragraph, respond to someone with whom you disagree and explain why you see things differently. Respond to someone from whom you learned something of substance and let them know what you took from their post. Ask clarifying questions or provide constructive feedback. Share your understanding of what was said in your own words. Build on something that piqued your interest. Harm Reduction Approaches to the Consequences of Addiction When I look at how substance use disorder (SUD) has been treated in the United States, I notice a clear pattern: some people are punished for their drug use, while others are offered treatment and sympathy. I see substance use disorder being treated as a crime largely when it involves low-income individuals and people of color, while it is more often framed as a medical issue when it affects middle and upper-class individuals, particularly white populations. During the height of the "war on drugs," policies such as mandatory minimum sentencing and aggressive policing targeted marginalized communities, leading to mass incarceration instead of access to care. In contrast, the current opioid epidemic has been described as a public health crisis, with an emphasis on treatment, prevention, and compassion. This difference shows me how class and race shape who is seen as deserving of help and who is seen as deserving of punishment. Need Assignment Help?