Media coverage of drugs and drug policy has grown much more sophisticated in the past few years. Yet many media outlets -- even some of the most well-meaning ones -- still often use inaccurate, offensive, or just plain absurd language that would be considered unthinkable when covering other issues.
Last year, the Associated Press made waves when it announced that it would no longer use the term "illegal immigrant". This fits with the AP's and other outlets' efforts to cast aside labeling terms that define people by a single behavior or condition -- and to instead use terms that humanize the people they are writing about.
Well, the AP is now working on the 2015 edition of the Stylebook and has issued an open call for suggestions for new or updated entries. A few could make the cut and get integrated into the 2015 guide.
At the Drug Policy Alliance, we have long sought to use humanizing language that doesn't equate the someone's involvement with drugs or the criminal justice system as the sum of their identity -- and we are asking the AP to join us.
First off, we have to stop using objectifying and dehumanizing language to describe people who use drugs or who struggle with drugs. The term "addict" as a noun is totally outdated and should be replaced with "person dependent on drugs" or "people who struggle with addiction." The use of "addict" by some people in recovery themselves doesn't make it OK to reduce anyone else's humanity.
[For more of this story, written by Jag Davies, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...drugs_b_6020672.html]
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