In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum, President of the Independent Center, and Lauren Hall, author of the Substack the Radical Moderate’s Guide to Life, are joined by Christina Dent, founder of 'End It For Good.' The discussion dives into moving from a criminal justice mindset to a health-centered approach in dealing with drug addiction. Christina shares her personal journey, starting as a foster mom, and how it reshaped her views on substance use. Highlighting the complexities of addiction, the conversation also explores Christina's work in creating open, non-coercive spaces for dialogue around drug policy. Through storytelling, empathy, and dialogue, the episode underscores the importance of approaching drug addiction with compassion and pragmatism.
Additional Resources
Check out Christina’s book Curious to read her story in more detail.
Connect with End it for Good to find out more about changing the way we think about drug addiction.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Backgrounds
00:57 Introducing the Guest: Christina Dent
01:52 Christina's Journey and Perspective on Addiction
04:54 The Complexity of Addiction and Health-Centered Approaches
08:57 Community Engagement and Book Discussions
15:33 Advocacy and Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue
24:51 Challenges and Rewards of Vulnerable Advocacy
32:41 The Importance of Bipartisan Solutions
34:14 Finding Common Ground to Save Lives
34:29 Innovative Approaches to Addiction Treatment
35:19 The Power of Agency and Choice
36:35 Family Support and Non-Coercive Methods
38:39 The Effectiveness of Harm Reduction Programs
39:11 Understanding the Addict's Perspective
41:11 Empathy and Personal Stories in Advocacy
41:49 Challenging Ideological Positions
47:30 The Role of Emotions in Policy Discussions
50:11 Investment Aversion and Personal Connection
57:45 The Complexity of Addiction and Parenting
01:02:03 Hope and Community Action
01:07:56 Conclusion and Resources
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