Addiction and Poverty and Their Complex Intersection With Power and Privilege

Power, Privilege and Oppression Paper
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Power, Privilege and Oppression Paper
Introduction
Oppression, addiction, poverty, and the criminal justice system are linked in my region. These interconnected issues haunt many people, perpetuating cycles of hardship and injustice. As a social work major, I have an intellectual and moral obligation to investigate these diverse challenges critically, find the root reasons, and provide ways to overthrow these oppressive institutions. Privilege and injustice increase addiction and poverty, which are firmly established in our community. This essay explores addiction and poverty in my community and their complex intersections with privilege and oppression to make my community a safer and more inclusive place for all residents.
Systems of Oppression and Privilege
The criminalization of addiction is a major oppression mechanism in my town. Our society often punishes addicts rather than treating them as a public health concern, locking them up. This method perpetuates addiction, poverty, and criminality in underprivileged areas without resources and help. However, privilege allows access to private treatment programs, avoiding the painful effects of oppression. Policies and legislation that promote punishment over rehabilitation preserve these authoritarian institutions (de Oliveira Morsch, 2019). People of color are disproportionately imprisoned for addiction due to the War on Drugs. This maintains racial inequality and the cycle of addiction and poverty, as released prisoners, have few reintegration prospects.
Privilege and Oppression in Identities
In my neighborhood, privilege is linked to race, economic stability, and healthcare. Wealthy families may afford private addiction treatment, whereas marginalized groups, mostly people of color, lack quality care. I see friends and acquaintances getting timely and effective therapy while others are stuck in the revolving door of incarceration. My community oppresses mostly addicts and people with low incomes. Criminalizing addiction further oppresses these people, trapping them in a cycle of arrests and jail that hinders recovery (de Oliveira Morsch, 2019). As I watch addiction destroy families, relationships, and neighbo...