Let's get the ugliness out of the way first:
Phillip Seymour Hoffman brought about his own demise. He, and no one else, abused intoxicants and, unless earth shattering news to the contrary comes to light, put himself into an early grave. Hoffman's death is not society's fault. Nor is it a signal for the government to somehow magically make things like heroin use safer by getting involved in the hard narcotics trade. Hoffman's death was brought about by one thing – Hoffman's addiction. And it was an addiction he alone was responsible for.
That may sound harsh, but those of us who have found a way to successfully battle addiction to alcohol and/or drugs know it to be true. Take it from someone who once believed the lie that an intoxicant could make things better - you have to take the bull by the horns yourself if you want to try to get things right.
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This doesn't mean the addict is alone in his or her quest for sobriety, however. Indeed, if there's someone out there who has successfully managed to get and stay sober through individual will power alone, I've yet to meet that person. American society can't win the war against addiction, but it can certainly do its part to help those who are fighting it. We as individuals can do our part as well by offering honesty, direction and support.
Friends who properly call out alcoholics and drug addicts are true friends indeed. For reaching out to a person who isn't sober is no easy task. Those who direct abusers of drugs and alcohol to detox centers, 12 step programs, and other abusers who are now in recovery and willing to help out are also doing their part.
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Phillip Seymour Hoffman was indeed a tragic figure, well worthy of the world's sympathy. Yet now isn't the time to point fingers at things like the Washington establishment or American culture in general. Now is the time to look at ourselves and ask if there is anything we, as individuals, can do to help someone who we might know who is currently suffering from addiction.
