Addict Quote by Ibn Warraq
“The greatest number of drug addicts are to be found in Teheran and in Karachi, not in the West. Not in New York believe it or not. It's the same with the roles of slavery, racism and imperialism in the world. These institutions were present in other cultures. However, it was Western civilization which did something about slavery, about racism and voluntarily dissolved its empires leaving behind a very positive legacy of institutions not to mention buildings and roadways.”
About This Quote
The quote claims that drug addiction, slavery, racism, and imperialism are more prevalent in non‑Western societies, but argues that Western civilization uniquely abolished these evils, leaving a positive institutional legacy.
In simple terms: Western societies supposedly eliminated slavery, racism, and imperialism, unlike other cultures.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that progress is uneven and complex.
Themes
history
colonialism
social issues
culture
legacy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- educational curricula
- human rights advocacy
- public health initiatives
Key Concepts
institutional change
moral responsibility
global inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we fairly assess the moral legacies of different civilizations?
- What evidence challenges the view that the West alone solved these issues?
A Different Perspective
The claim oversimplifies history and ignores ongoing Western contributions to these problems.
![“[T]he truth is that drug addicts have a disease. It only takes a short time in the streets to realize that out-of-control addiction is a medical problem, not a form of recreational or criminal behavior. And the more society treats drug addiction as a crime, the more money drug dealers will make…” quote by Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/983/jay-z-713_addict_t-he-truth-is-that-drug-addicts-have-a-d_131312.jpg)
