Angie Thomas’ new book On the Come Up tackled numerous issues scarcely addressed in young adult (YA) fiction.
Drug abuse and recovery was one controversial problem the book touched upon. In my recent post, Why I Don’t Always Review A Book, I expressed that I tend to shy away from discussing books that cover topics that I feel like aren’t my place to input my views or that I’m not completely informed about. Addiction seemed like one of those topics I would usually steer away from. However, drug abuse—specifically rehabilitation—was the subject matter of my undergraduate research and is something that I feel very passionate about.
So, what exactly is the point of this post?
I wanted to relate my knowledge to the drug abuse element of On the Come Up to offer you all a different perspective on addiction and its treatment.
Drug addiction is a disease of the body and mind, and like with all diseases, the afflicted should not be blamed for their illness. In On the Come Up, the main character’s mother, Jay, was a recovered drug dependent. Jay initially turned to drugs after the sudden loss of her husband. This fact was worth highlighting because how many people can say they turned to drugs because they couldn’t cope with a loss? ᴘʀᴏʙᴀʙʟʏ ᴀ ᴍɪɴᴏʀɪᴛʏ. Jay’s impetus to start drugging was an example of how drug abuse can be the result of a struggle with one’s mind.
To me, Jay wasn’t just a character. She was a representation of the many recovering drug dependents I’ve met. She’s the man who couldn’t handle the stress of his grandma getting sick and the girl who saw no worth in her life. She wasn’t a bad person, she just needed guidance.
In the country I studied in for my undergraduate degree, it is normal for citizens to be killed by the police for using drugs. The drug abuse problem is so bad in the country that many people see this slaughter as a necessary solution to the issue.
sᴏ, ʜᴇʀᴇ’s ᴍʏ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ: Drug abuse is a public health problem. While addiction begins with an individual, their drug behaviors affect the most basic unit of society—family—which causes ripples of damage to the function and development of society as a whole.
With all public health problems, there’s a degree of social responsibility involved. What type of message does it send to drug dependents if we all look away when they’re murdered? That they’re lives matter less? Who would want to seek help if they’re seen as degenerative and disposable in society? Especially when individuals start drugging because of problems with self-esteem, or issues that they couldn’t cope with, it’s like a mass confirmation from society that they are worthless.
Sorry if this is turning more into an opinionated rant rather than informational text 😅.
The conclusion I’m trying to draw from that tangent is that killing drug dependents is not an effective treatment (honestly, what kind of world are we living that that sentence has to be said). In the same way we would treat someone diagnosed with cancer or depression with various therapies, the approach to treating addiction should be the same.
Drug recovery is a lifelong process in which individuals are at risk for relapse at any moment (ᴀʟᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ɪᴛ ʀᴇᴘᴏʀᴛᴇᴅʟʏ ɢᴇᴛs ᴇᴀsɪᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ✨). Compliance is key to any medical treatment—in this case, the treatment being rehabilitation—and a desire to get better is the main motivation of compliance.
Contrary to popular belief, rehabilitation is not limited to the typical in-patient facilities that come to mind when the word “rehabilitation” is said. Rehabilitation can take place in out-patient centers which serve as a transition for drug dependents who need help reintegrating into society after in-patient treatment. In out-patient centers, drug dependents are monitored periodically and can receive therapies like counseling.
In On the Come Up, Jay exemplified the strength and commitment it takes to comply to the recovery process and stay sober. When the community center stops holding weekly check-ins with recovering drug dependents, she took it upon herself to hold the meetings in her home every Saturday. Jay recognized the need for a dedicated support group during the recovery process and made her home the beacon of that aid when society failed to prioritize their needs. I think this support group was essential in maintaining Jay’s sobriety since she was barraged with a certain level of animosity by the people who should have brought her comfort, namely her church and in-laws.
It’s important that the stigma that drug addiction is incurable and that prejudices against drug dependents are squashed. Jay is a new hero of mine because she overcame a system and society that sets her up for failure. Despite the lack of mental health support, termination of community programs, and constant backbiting from her church and in-laws, she proved that recovery is possible and that her past is nothing to be ashamed of.
Belle Can Read 
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