Today’s case involves a combination of extraordinary risk factors leading to an almost incomprehensible level of violence on the way to a sad and entirely predictable outcome. The predictability arises from the victim’s on-again/off-again struggle with substance abuse, a chronic relapsing condition that stresses family systems to the breaking point as parents and others desperately attempt to save their loved ones from destruction.
Photo: Janice Madosh-Smart via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Whatever further degradation it entails, participation in the culture of street-level illicit drug use reliably brings people into close contact with Violent Criminal Actors in addition to the expected cast of users, abusers, addicts, dealers, thieves, robbers, and other assorted hangers-on in that criminal milieu. Dilettantes in this world routinely suffer exploitation and violence at the hands of hardened veterans of the scene and often fare as well as small fish in the company of sharks, with a similar lifespan. Though most violence in the context of street drug use is acutely episodic and explosive, episodes of sustained violence such as is reflected in this case can surely occur.
Photo: Department of Corrections via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Binge drug use can often compound the behavioral disinhibition experienced by users, as can the presence of similarly disposed folks, leading to a “diffusion of responsibility” that drives truly horrific acts as noted here when substance intoxication unites the wrong people at the wrong time. Simply put, there are no “brakes” on even the most gratuitous and sadistic impulse, and the resulting crimes are atrocities unimaginable to the layperson.
Note as well what is absent: the normal, civilized human traits such as proportional response, emotional control, and behavioral inhibition, deficits all too sadistically demonstrated. The unwillingness or inability of these offenders to spare the lives they took despite the utter triviality of the precipitating events is as alien as a distant planet to normal folks, and will ever remain so. The calculus of risk is a cruel measure, and once its equations are far enough out of balance, no regret or reconsideration can alter the outcome, no matter how fervently grieving survivors may wish it…
As always, thank you for reading!
#thinkhardtrainhard #bedangerous #aprillriskconsulting
Most of these people where already damaged in one way or the other. The huge variety of drugs today on the street offers many drugs of choice - I remember winos around my grade school in Pasadena, they could be dangerous when they snapped - many were vets of WWII and Korea. These damaged people seek release from their demons - it is much the same behavior(whatever the drug). The drug use itself is a symptom, most of these people hurt inside and need mental help. I agree that self medicating isn't usually a good outcome and usually causes more problems, like it or not, drugs will always be available(like guns, sweets, baby pacifiers, etc), so we should be studying these people and try to treat them so they can be productive members of society. Locking up drug users without treatment just creates hardened criminals when they do get out. I think it would be much cheaper to put them in care facilities that actually tries to rehabilitate (and doesn't allow for early release). It would punish them by being locked away, it would be cheaper to handle them when medicated and would keep them away from the hardened criminals. Just the threat of being put in the general population would keep most on good behavior.
Ok thought you had some real insight here but it appears to be a nothing burger
Does this include drunks/alcoholics? They are drug users that are violent.