"we need to stop looking at drug addicts as “bad” but merely sick."
The root of the sickness often extends far beyond the individual into society. That's what many people don't want to look at or acknowledge. They insist on casting blame on the victim, and keep creating more victims.
To be honest I think you’re being to kind to the they. Yes there are some people who act out of being misinformed, or fear but there are cyclical people that pump this point of view specially for profit. Look at the sea change now in the US that pharma sent to far and people finally realised a lot of the “drugs bad” schtik was merely PR
The root of the sickness often extends far beyond the individual into society. That's what many people don't want to look at or acknowledge. They insist on casting blame on the victim, and keep creating more victims.