Victims?

Are they really victims?

Like everything... It's about perspective.

Drug addition, illegal drug abuse.

People dying from tainted illegal drugs.

Or simply overdoses.

Perspective.... I would say that if you, a family nemeber, or a friend uses illegal drugs or are an addict, than you would view their problem with respect to it being a illness or sickness. 

Perspective.... A best, they are repeated recreational users of illegal substances that made a conscious choice knowing the risks. 

Perspective.... If you take the logical outlook that it wasn't something that simply happened like a disease or illness ... it didn't just happen... It's started with a choice... a bad choice.  A bad choice that was consciously constantly, and continually made, over and over again. It was a choice!

The Controversy... They are setting up memorials and commemorative events to honor  drug users as victims. And to bring to light the risks and dangers, which should already be known. If any activity that has the risk of injury or even death, and the person engages in that activity, and is killed just by the nature of that activity being risky... it may have been an accident... it may be a tragedy... but they are not a victim... it was a conscious choice to put their own life at risk. 

Medical professionals would say that after a time from when the abuse started, and later hospitalized, that their addiction is a sickness or illness.

But it still started with a choice,  knowing the risks. 

So... Are those that died from illegal drug use / addition victims? 
Yes? ... No?... or victims with themselves as the perpetrator of their own demise. A victim of themselves. 

Perspective... Opinions ... Debate... Controversy... 

Logically... if they suffered with addiction, they will suffer no more. 
Their family and friends will not continue to live under their burden.
They will not be a burden on medical resources. 
And another aspect... drug abuse promotes crime... problem solved.

Perspective... There are many extremes to illegal drug use. From occasional Recreation to full-blown addiction. Doesn't change the fact that it all started and continued with a choice. 

Just some things to consider... Victims?  Or victims of themselves?