I appreciate that 😊 There was a time I didn't know it was a slur. I'm glad the person who showed me otherwise was kind and respectful about it.

We tend to forget addicts are victims as well & we have no idea of the circumstances that led them there. And yes I admit I've used it as a slur in the distant past myself.

I was in my 20s when I was performing at a street festival in KingsX. After a woman with an obvious addiction problem asked each of our troupe for a cigarette, then left, our director said, "There goes any one of us." I've never forgotten that.

Heartbreaking.

It is. I learned that those who condemn the wounded do so because they don't believe they could survive the same wounds. So much of life is circumstantial luck. So much of our capacity to cope is genetic luck.

Those are very wise words.

🙏 I'm borrowing from Tim Minchin and my aunt Tracey.

Still wise words & put to good use. I'll remember them & will probably repeat them at some point & thus the chain continues 😁

That 's encouraging. Thanks 😊