STAT: Punishing drug use heightens the stigma of addiction

August 17, 2021: Research has consistently shown that interacting with members of a stigmatized group and hearing their stories directly has a powerful destigmatizing effect on people, more than simply public education. But while a growing number of people in recovery are speaking openly about their past use and their current struggles to keep sober, people who use drugs actively are not free to do so without fear of legal consequences.