ADDICTS MUST ACCEPT BLAME

Court Ruling That Allowed Meth Head To Successfully Sue Dealer Is Ridiculous

If you get so high that you seriously injure yourself, who is to blame?

According to a recent ruling that may be the first of its kind in
Canada, it may just be your drug dealer.

Just last week, a woman and former crystal meth addict won a
negligence lawsuit against her accused supplier.

According to the Canadian Press, Sandy Bergen overdosed on meth a few
years ago in Biggar, Sask., and wound up in a coma.

Bergen alleged Clinton Davey gave her the drugs. She launched a
lawsuit against him, along with her parents, in 2005.

The ruling in question was not the result of a full trial. But its
"unopposed" take on Bergen's claim will lead to a hearing that
decides what damages she will be awarded.

And that is ridiculous.

Why should we extend so many privileges to admitted drug addicts, as
Bergen was, that they can hold their alleged dealers legally liable
for drug-related injuries?

It's a safe assumption those who choose to buy and use illicit
substances know they are breaking the law. This is one of many good
reasons why they shouldn't be able to use the same justice system
against the person who sold that illegal purchase.

NO FORMAL TRIAL

Unfortunately, this case did not go through to a formal trial and we
can't say whether the alleged pusher actually is guilty of any crime.

Holding those who buy and use drugs accountable for those choices
should not be seen as downplaying the danger and seriousness of
addiction. Those with lives spent waiting for the next fix often hurt
their loved ones and sometimes commit crimes.

OWN UP TO YOUR ACTIONS

And those who find the courage to kick their habit have a right to be
proud of that feat. But isn't owning up to your own actions a key
part of recovery?

Addicts aren't innocent victims worthy of compensation for bad drugs.
If you pay for something clearly illegal, that deal takes the term
"buyer beware" to a whole new level where quality control does not apply.

Bergen said the drugs she took one day in May 2004 had painful
effects immediately after consumption. She recalls her legs and arms
turned blue as she sweated and threw up.

She eventually had a heart attack. Within days, her heart, liver,
kidneys and lungs failed and she fell into a coma.

There's no doubt this was a very painful, and potentially lethal,
experience. But this meth user made a choice that could have killed
her and that decision is at least partly to blame for the consequences.

Bergen became hooked on crystal meth at the age of 18 and she, along
with all drug users, should own up to that decision. She should take
personal responsibility for the consequences, not sue her supposed salesman.

Anyone who buys drugs should be aware those substances could be laced
with just about anything, from laxatives to laundry detergent.

UNBELIEVABLE

And virtually every adult has been warned these harmful and often
toxic substances could kill in a single dose. That's why it seems
almost unbelievable, even shocking, that this lawsuit succeeded.

It's about time people took responsibility for their actions and
their own mistakes. If the alleged drug dealer in this case is
actually guilty of selling drugs, he deserves to pay for that crime in jail.

But if we point the finger at drug dealers for every harmful side
effect experienced by their users, substance abusers are cast as
innocent victims, not participants in their own habits.

While this was not a formal trial, Bergen also remarked that she
knows of several people looking to follow her lead.

And she hopes they will be inspired by her own success.

"It definitely sends some sort of message now because other people
can sue people and hit them where it hurts and take their assets and
any money they've made from drug dealing," said the woman who was
left with long-term heart damage from her drug-induced coma.

Sure, hitting drug dealers' illegally-padded wallets could make the
trade appear slightly less desirable to other law-breakers. But this
ruling offers only excuses for drug users, those who create the
demand that makes these suppliers so profitable.

This ruling indicates there's no need to take responsibility for the
pills, injections and powders you've consumed to alter your senses
because any damage you do is clearly the fault of your dealer.

Addiction may be a disease but it could never start without that
first snort, smoke or needle. And this ruling sends a dangerous
message by excusing drug use and shifting the blame to anyone but the user.