The New York Times publishes another story about using psychedelic drugs as a potential treatment for mental health conditions, this time focusing on a U.S. war veteran suffering from PTSD who took part in a clinical trial for MDMA, the psychoactive drug commonly known as Ecstasy. The trial is part of renewed interest and research into psychedelics—including LSD, psilocybin, and poisonous toad venom—that early results indicate show promise in treating not only PTSD but also depression and some forms of addiction. While there’s no surefire cure for PTSD, with traditional medications and therapy, there's growing evidence that MDMA can significantly lessen or even eliminate symptoms in some patients. Psychiatrists say, however, that taking MDMA on its own does not automatically alleviate PTSD, but when paired with therapy, the drug does seem to catalyze a patient’s innate capacity for psychological healing.
Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports that Massachusetts is still running prison-like facilities for men with substance use disorder, despite warnings from addiction specialists who have long decried the practice of forcing people into correctional settings for addiction treatment. The state says it’s not a prison but a medical facility, although those who have been involuntarily incarcerated say it felt like a prison. Some families regard the involuntary treatment as a last resort when addicted relatives refuse treatment or cannot find an opening in a treatment program, and thousands petition for commitment each year. But many addiction specialists say such an approach shames and traumatizes people who are sick, not criminals.
And finally, the Canadian province of British Columbia has won approval from the federal government to decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and opioids, amid soaring overdose fatalities. The decision makes the province the first to decriminalize possession and follows similar moves by several cities and states in the U.S., which are also facing an unprecedented level of drug-related deaths. Officials emphasize that this does not legalize the trafficking, production, and importation of such drugs, but seeks to reduce the stigmatization of drug use which can lead many people to avoid seeking treatment. Overdose deaths have climbed dramatically in the province, increasing by 125 percent between 2016 and 2021, and is now the leading cause of death for people ages 19 to 39.