Rampage killings are on the rise, and with every harrowing news story, the world is left asking the same question – why? From university shootings to vehicular assaults, these acts of violence seem senseless. However, broadcaster Peter Hitchens offers a controversial perspective on Drugs and Rampage Killings that’s gaining attention. Speaking on the Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast, he suggested that drugs, such as cannabis, could be a catalyst behind many of these attacks.
Could the increase in drug normalisation really hold the key to addressing these tragic events? Let’s take a closer look at the arguments being made.
Drugs and Rampage Killings
The Western world has witnessed an alarming surge in rampage killings in recent decades. Defined as short, violent outbursts targeting multiple victims, these attacks often strike at soft targets, leaving communities shaken. Hitchens argues that one of the big changes fuelling this is the widespread acceptance and use of mind-altering drugs, particularly cannabis.
Pointing to events in Liverpool where a seemingly drug-affected driver mowed down football fans, Hitchens explained, “It never used to happen. What has fundamentally changed since the 1950s and 60s?” For him, the answer is clear – the increasing prevalence of drug culture.
He further stated, “There is a reluctance to admit any connection between the use of marijuana and insane violence.”
The Role of Drugs in Mental Instability
Drugs like cannabis, Hitchens claims, affect individuals in profound ways, increasing the potential for violent outbursts. He highlighted that rampage killers often have histories involving drugs such as SSRIs, steroids, or marijuana. For instance, studies supporting his stance point to correlations between heavy drug usage and increased aggression or psychosis.
Despite growing scientific evidence, he argues there is societal resistance to making the link between drugs and these violent acts. Reasons range from the powerful influence of drug lobbies to societal enthusiasm for legalisation.
Mixed Evidence on Cannabis and Violence
Metanalyses in the United States have attempted to scrutinise this relationship. While some studies have shown slight links between cannabis use and violent behaviour, others paint a different picture. For example, certain studies suggested that violence decreased in areas where cannabis dispensaries became operational.
However, proponents of Hitchens’ argument believe that these findings don’t address the long-term psychological impacts of heavy usage. “People think that because cannabis isn’t chemically addictive, it isn’t dangerous,” notes podcast co-host Sarah Vine. “But it is highly psychologically addictive – I’ve had friends who went mad trying to quit.”
Comparisons With Other Nations
Hitchens argues that Western societies can learn from nations such as South Korea and Japan, where rampage killings are almost non-existent. Why? These countries enforce strict laws around drug possession, making misuse culturally and legally unacceptable.
“In South Korea, the possession of marijuana is still considered a crime. Public figures caught with it not only go to jail but are also discredited,” he explained. “These societies reject the propaganda that marijuana use is victimless.”
Hitchens believes that such punitive measures could prevent the family-wide tragedies drug misuse often causes. “It is not a victimless crime – the families of individuals who suffer permanent injury due to drugs carry grief for decades.”
Counterarguments on Drug Policy and Rampage Killings
Not everyone agrees that drugs alone are the root of the problem. Sarah Vine, while acknowledging the mental health effects of cannabis, argued that it’s often psychotic individuals who gravitate towards drug use rather than drugs causing the psychosis.
She also highlighted that criminalising soft drugs may unintentionally incentivise the creation of black markets, leading to more potent and harmful substances being sold. It’s a delicate balancing act for policymakers.
Society’s Reluctance to Confront the Issue
At its core, the debate on Drugs and Rampage Killings reflects a larger societal reluctance. Advocates for cannabis legalisation often downplay its potential mental health risks, focusing on economic benefits or medicinal applications. Hitchens urges society to take a more hardlined approach, saying, “The people who promote it should face the shame of ruining lives. It should be punished and prohibited.”
Addressing the issue of Drugs and Rampage Killings demands a broader societal conversation and thorough investigation into the root causes. However, for Hitchens, the starting point is unmistakable: drug legislation must acknowledge and address the significant harm that substances like cannabis can cause.
Hitchens’ views might be provocative for some, but they challenge us all to consider how far drug normalisation could be influencing violence in communities worldwide.
Rampage killings leave devastation in their wake, ripping apart families and communities. While there may be various social and psychological factors at play, drugs like cannabis should not escape scrutiny in the context of Drugs and Rampage Killings.
Source: dbrecoveryresources
