What is a greater risk to society - Opioids, suicides or guns?

SPC David S. — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 14:57:05 -0400

With all the latest debate around gun controls I'd like to know what others consider a greater risk to society in general and for our youth. Please support your claim as well possible solutions

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Mar 26 at 2018 3:09 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:09:09 -0400

It's a good question with a lot of overlap, since suicides can be accomplished with opioids or guns or any number of other methods. I'm going to go with opioids for a couple of reasons. First is the sheer numbers of overdoses and accidental deaths, which is (second) in large part due to other ingredients like Fentanyl being added to the opioids.

I don't consider guns to be a problem, I consider the misuse of guns to be a problem... although I could apply that same distinction to opioids, in which case my answer would have to change to Other.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 26 at 2018 3:58 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:58:13 -0400

50,000 deaths related to Opiod overdoses. That almost ten times the murder rate and still higher than the rate of suicides. Since a good portion of these deaths are a result of not knowing the strength of the product, my best solution is to legalize it and let people buy it over the counter. It would also solve the problem of financing the drug gangs. If we are killing 50,000 a year in the War on Drugs, maybe we ought to surrender.
Disclaimer: I neither advocate the use of or use personally any of these substances, include marijuana. I just believe that the social cost of enforcing these Prohibitions is far greater than anything we gain from it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 3:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:59:31 -0400

Addiction is a choice (I don't care what anyone says) so that's easy to solve. Don't use those drugs and you won't get addicted. Even prescription - no one says you have to take what the doctor prescribes for pain. I haven't taken pain meds prescribed. My dad stopped taking some after one knee surgery because they made him feel weird. He didn't like it.

Suicides - ultimately it's an individual choice. I know someone is at the end of their rope when they get there - but they are also not thinking clearly. They talked to people who survived jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge trying to kill themselves. They said the moment they jumped - it was like they were out of the tunnel and they instantly regretted jumping.

Guns - they are designed to do one thing. Kill. I think we can do a better job with gun control in this country. First enforce laws that already exist. Secondly, let the CDC have funding to investigate the problem of gun violence in this country.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 4:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:00:38 -0400

People are the greatest risk, who do and use all three items, and then some.
Anyway, some have did, or tried to do all three, and are now no risk to society, and I know of one in particularly.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 4:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:01:08 -0400

A democrat, because they have no clue what the true affects of either of those pictured

Response by TSgt David L. made Mar 26 at 2018 4:13 PM

TSgt David L. — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:13:40 -0400

It's a bit subjective. Drugs can lead to suicide, which of course drags the helpless gun into the mix.

Response by SCPO Paul Hill made Mar 26 at 2018 4:26 PM

SCPO Paul Hill — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:26:55 -0400

I would have to say other. When you look at violent crime as a whole, whether it is with guns, drugs or by other means, there is a common denominator. That being most of these crimes are committed by those that have some sort of mental health issue. In this country, we have a piss poor mental health establishment. Not sure about all states, but a few have closed down institutions, only keeping those severe cases institutionalized. What happened to the others? They were basically kicked to the curb to fend for themselves. One would think that without treatment, a condition may worsen. What do you all think?

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 26 at 2018 9:02 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:02:56 -0400

Having responded to many more opiate overdoses than I ever have suicides or gun violence (to use a term), I would say drugs are much more of an issue. Sometimes the overdose is accidental but the opiate is still a factor.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Mar 27 at 2018 10:13 AM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 10:13:21 -0400

I would say, "all of the above," but not the way the media and certain politicians want us to believe. I have a 24-year old daughter, 21-year old son, and a 14-year old son. Mass school shootings are horrific and emotionally affect me, but logically, I know that my kids face a greater danger. It is more likely for their lives to end early due to car accidents (DUI/distracted drivers), drugs, suicides, and other random accidents. While mass school shootings make the headlines, my kids face a greater risk just crossing the street. Cars (irresponsible drivers) and mental health (drugs & suicide are usually caused by mental health issues) should be the focus if we want to keep kids safe.

Response by PO1 Mary Vermont made Mar 27 at 2018 10:34 AM

PO1 Mary Vermont — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 10:34:33 -0400

Both are controled by whoever has it in their hands. You can not regulate stupid, unkess if course you do it before birth

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 27 at 2018 11:24 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:24:19 -0400

I vote "Ignorance". (The whole gun debate is a byproduct of ignorance) Followed possibly by "Addiction". Demand drives supply for all substances that are abused (which is why the war on drugs will always fail so long as it focuses on supply). Suicide is a danger to the individual, not to the nation.

Response by LCDR Tim McKenzie made Apr 3 at 2018 3:10 PM

LCDR Tim McKenzie — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 15:10:32 -0400

Obesity is by far the biggest killer.