I could explain it to you, but it would be a waste of my time. . . and yours.
I have been a member of this forum for twelve years. You have been here for only four.
I know enough about your intelligence, empathy, and curiosity, (or lack thereof,) about how others live, learn, and have developed, and how society works. . . Any such
"explanation," on my part, of how depression, anxiety, addiction and self-medication in the poor communities, or how that actually works, would fall upon deaf ears here. It would be a useless endeavor, on my part, and waste your time on your part.
Let me have respect for myself, and you, and not waste either of our time by engaging in such useless tangents, eh?
There is a reason for many decades we had prohibitions in the poor communities against pot being legal. There was a reason, during the Great Depression, we made alcohol illegal. I don't suppose you have ever put this together though, have you?
You are set in your ways, and this question you have asked,
"How are they a victim?" is not an honest query for information on your part, I don't think you really care, but it is just just a taunt for a fight, isn't it?
Sometimes, for those who are not able to do for themselves, because of a lack of support, or a good start, society and government steps in. Figure it out. If you can.
. . .and if they can't? If the last bastion that they have to depend on, are our institutions? But those institutions are corrupt? Yeah, they are victims.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org