Digital Scrapbook #7

“Obama and McCain: Where They Stand on Addiction Issues” by Bob Curley

The Presidential Election of 2008 has been underway for several weeks now. We often hear about the candidates’ views on major issues such as taxes, war, education, terrorism, and health care. We also hear about their views on made up issues like who is and who isn’t wearing a flag lapel pin or who is more American. Rarely do we hear political discussions based on each candidate’s stance on addiction issues. And really, the more I think about it, I don’t recall ever hearing a question about these issues in presidential debates. It seems the media only gives air time to addiction when they are examining if the candidates themselves have any addiction issues. And this year, both McCain and Obama have a history of addiction. McCain has dealt with heavy drinking, though I don’t believe he considers himself a recovering alcoholic. He also has a family history of addiction as his father was an alcoholic and Cindy, McCain’s wife, was addicted to prescription drugs in the 90s. And because Cindy heads an Anheuser-Busch distributor, McCain recently recused himself on votes regarding the alcohol industry. Obama has been open regarding his use of cocaine and marijuana as a youth. And both McCain and Obama are former smokers. This is pretty much where the similarities end.

Obama has pledged to pass a universal healthcare plan that is similar to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). While he doesn’t specifically discuss treatment for addiction, it is implied by his referencing the FEHBP as it requires parity coverage of addictive diseases. He also recognizes the need to increase funding for disease prevention. By funding prevention, Charlotte Kasl’s illustration of hierarchy may begin to break down. He also wants to see first-time, nonviolent drug offended serve out their sentences in a drug rehabilitation program. Obama recognizes the disparities in drug sentencing laws and wants to address these issues. He also wants to provide more support for ex-offenders to fight crime and poverty—this seems like inside thinking to me. He relies on solving other inside problems with inside solutions by calling on parents to be the first line of defense regarding drug and alcohol abuse and he wants to create “Promise Neighborhoods” in cities. Obama is also supportive of doctors prescribing medical marijuana.

McCain doesn’t discuss addiction issues with as much detail as Obama, partially due to his longer voting record in the Senate where he’s actively worked against the tobacco industry. Within the context of his campaign, he only makes pledges in regards to smoking-cessation products. His healthcare plan mentions chronic diseases but addiction isn’t specifically mentioned. He would also cut underperforming programs which mean a number of addiction-related programs will be eliminated because they are currently identified as nonperforming. I wonder if he’s considered that these programs may not be performing well because they aren’t being funded. Cutting these programs will only maintain the illustration of hierarchy and the status quo. He also opposes the use of medical marijuana. There is no mention of community programs to help fight addiction.