If we’re in Caty’s life and we’re her family and friends and decide we think she’s in trouble and we’re going to do an intervention – okay, it’s on topic. But the topic (and what angered people or evoked criticism) was not “is that darn Caty an addict in denial?!” So going there with it felt unfair to me, that’s all.

People have a right to their opinions, but Caty’s denial or lack thereof, of her relationship to drugs, is not anyone’s business, unlike what Caty may say about drugs in general, which is up for discussion in this thread.

Yes, this.

And there’s a huge difference between regulating the “supply” of drugs and human beings because human beings are not a product. Humans can offer services, but they should not be treated the same as an inanimate fucking commodity. Whatever the politics of the speaker.

That.

I didn’t see Caty argue, though, that any heroin use is harmless – she does acknowledge addiction and associated harms. She just doesn’t think a) that she’s addicted or b) that decriminalizing drugs would make more people addicted. I don’t think a) is something other people can really know for sure, but b) is predictably a heated topic.

Also, of course a dialogue on drug use should include the voice of users. My point was that a rhetorical argument for decriminalization coming from a past addict and present user is easily dismissed as that: rhetoric. Especially when her argument seems to be based almost entirely upon the idea that any heroine use, even having it available for recreational use, is not harmful to the individual or society.

As do I.

Also, you didn’t tell her she was stupid. You specifically said she was an addict in denial and enabling other addicts. There’s a bit of a difference. Stupidity is far more easily assessed via intertubes.

I’ll judge as I see fit, based on reason, logic, and my own experience with drugs. Of which I have a fair amount. If someone on the internet OR in person says they’re doing something stupid, I’m going to tell them it’s stupid. This includes anything from home trepanation, vaccination refusal, quote-unquote responsible heroin use or trying to smoke banana peels.

It is absolutely ok for me to speak of my experiences with drug users and addicts. I am fully entitled to do exactly that just as Caty is allowed to speak her piece.

I have a tremendous amount of experience with drug users and addicts, which is precisely why I’m so passionate about this subject. While I can understand some of the arguments for decriminalization (whether I agree with them or not), the idea that we should accept heroin use as responsible is just a vile argument that absolutely will and does enable addicts.