--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that addiction is a very, very…" description: "\"I think that addiction is a very, very important thing that has to be treated, but has to be treated as a health problem and not as a police problem.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg" --- # I think that addiction is a very, very important thing… ![“I think that addiction is a very, very important thing that has to be treated, but has to be treated as a health problem and not as a police problem.” quote by Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg) > “I think that addiction is a very, very important thing that has to be treated, but has to be treated as a health problem and not as a police problem.” [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Addiction should be treated as a health issue, not criminalized. **In simple terms:** Treat addiction as health, not crime. Key Takeaway Shift policy to health-focused addiction treatment. Themes public health addiction policy Mood concerned hopeful Type advocacy educational When to use this quote - healthcare - law enforcement - rehabilitation programs - community support Key Concepts medicine criminal justice reform Questions to Reflect On - How would health‑based treatment change outcomes? - What barriers exist to de‑criminalizing addiction? A Different Perspective Changing legal frameworks is politically challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Health problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-problem/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [“He didn’t think it was addiction. At some point, he had simply forgotten how to wake up. The wolf’s blood no longer frightened him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valon-g/he-didn-t-think-it-was-addiction-at-some-point-he-had-simply/) [Valon G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valon-g/) > [It's probably weird to think about an addiction like it's a sentient being, but that's how it feels. Like it's something living inside you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/it-s-probably-weird-to-think-about-an-addiction-like-it-s-a-sentient/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [This is what I think. Addiction is just a way of trying to get at something else. Something bigger. Call it transcendence if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-callahan/this-is-what-i-think-addiction-is-just-a-way-of-trying-to-get-at/) [Tess Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-callahan/) > [A lot of people think that addiction is a choice. A lot of people think it's a matter of will. That has not been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-perry/a-lot-of-people-think-that-addiction-is-a-choice-a-lot-of-people/) [Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-perry/) > [“I think I may have an addiction. A sex-maniac beast has awoken, and I am a horny mess nearly all the time. I almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-park/i-think-i-may-have-an-addiction-a-sex-maniac-beast-has-awoken-and-i/) [Jessica Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-park/) > [I'm calling for a cultural change in how we think about addiction. For far too long people have thought about addiction as a character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/i-m-calling-for-a-cultural-change-in-how-we-think-about-addiction-for/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [I once tried to give him a friendly little "drugs chat". He politely corrected me on every single fact, then said he'd noticed I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-once-tried-to-give-him-a-friendly-little-drugs-chat-he-politely/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the addiction stuff, because I was already sort of outed in my family as a sexual person: as a sexually-adventurous and sexually-conflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-febos/i-think-the-addiction-stuff-because-i-was-already-sort-of-outed-in-my/) [Melissa Febos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-febos/) > [I think I have an addiction to pretty much everything. I mean, I have to be very careful with myself as far as that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-haim/i-think-i-have-an-addiction-to-pretty-much-everything-i-mean-i-have/) [Corey Haim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-haim/) > [Actually, I think all addiction starts with soda. Every junkie did soda first. But no one counts that. Maybe they should. The soda connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/actually-i-think-all-addiction-starts-with-soda-every-junkie-did-soda/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [You know, we think about addiction as a morally reprehensible choice, but addicts act crazy because, in a way, that they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sheff/you-know-we-think-about-addiction-as-a-morally-reprehensible-choice/) [David Sheff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sheff/) > [It is time to end the discrimination against people who need treatment for chemical addiction. It is time for Congress to deal with our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ramstad/it-is-time-to-end-the-discrimination-against-people-who-need/) [Jim Ramstad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ramstad/) > [You certainly can't prevent all mental health problems - factors like genetics and traumatic life events certainly play a role. But everyone can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/you-certainly-can-t-prevent-all-mental-health-problems-factors-like/) [Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/) > [My mother suffers mental health problems and has a learning deprivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rayner/my-mother-suffers-mental-health-problems-and-has-a-learning/) [Angela Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rayner/) > [ With recidivism algorithms, for example, I worry about racist outcomes. With personality tests \[for hiring\], I worry about filtering out people with mental health… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-o-neil/with-recidivism-algorithms-for-example-i-worry-about-racist-outcomes/) [Cathy O'Neil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-o-neil/) ## More by Wagner Moura > [I try to be a good father, and my kids are the most important thing in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-try-to-be-a-good-father-and-my-kids-are-the-most-important-thing-in/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [If you want to see the real Pablo Escobar, go see a documentary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/if-you-want-to-see-the-real-pablo-escobar-go-see-a-documentary/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [One of the most effective tools in Brazil's efforts to eradicate slavery is a register compiled by the government that lists individuals and businesses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/one-of-the-most-effective-tools-in-brazil-s-efforts-to-eradicate/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [The thing about Pablo is that he wasn't happy with what he had - just being the sixth richest man in the world. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/the-thing-about-pablo-is-that-he-wasn-t-happy-with-what-he-had-just/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [Doing 'Narcos' is a very, very important part of my life. I dedicated so much of my life to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/doing-narcos-is-a-very-very-important-part-of-my-life-i-dedicated-so/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [I grew up watching American films, listening to American music, and it's a big contribution to the rest of the world. I mean, American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-grew-up-watching-american-films-listening-to-american-music-and-it/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [I'm 100 percent convinced that Pablo Escobar was a human being. And he was a very interesting one. For sure, he was a very,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-m-100-percent-convinced-that-pablo-escobar-was-a-human-being-and-he/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [One of the things I like best about Netflix is that they make projects like 'Beasts of No Nation.' It's a film about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/one-of-the-things-i-like-best-about-netflix-is-that-they-make/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [Forced labor affects the most vulnerable and least protected people, perpetuating a vicious cycle of poverty and dependency. Women, low-skilled migrant workers, children, indigenous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/forced-labor-affects-the-most-vulnerable-and-least-protected-people/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [Pablo wanted to be loved and accepted. He wanted to destroy the elite he despised so much, but he also wanted to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/pablo-wanted-to-be-loved-and-accepted-he-wanted-to-destroy-the-elite/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > ['Narcos' was a very strong experience, not only artistically and politically, but as a human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/narcos-was-a-very-strong-experience-not-only-artistically-and/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [The emotions you see when you watch 'Narcos,' they're pretty much my emotions and the way I would react if I were there. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/the-emotions-you-see-when-you-watch-narcos-they-re-pretty-much-my/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [The heroes of 'Narcos' are the Colombian people who fought and decided to do something about the horrible narco-terrorism that took place in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/the-heroes-of-narcos-are-the-colombian-people-who-fought-and-decided/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [I always thought those World War II films with German people speaking English with German accents was weird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-always-thought-those-world-war-ii-films-with-german-people-speaking/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) > [We'll always be fascinated by people who live above the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/we-ll-always-be-fascinated-by-people-who-live-above-the-law/) [Wagner Moura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) [Explore all 22 Wagner Moura quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/) ## More Addiction quotes > [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) Robbin Crosby > [“The idea that creative endeavor and mind-altering substances are entwined is one of the great pop-intellectual myths of our time... Creative people probably do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-idea-that-creative-endeavor-and-mind-altering-substances-are/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-irsay/i-really-think-the-disease-aspect-gets-lost-when-you-re-talking-about/) [Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-irsay/) > [I had an addiction to artificial points of success. Like being able to run for this or run for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/i-had-an-addiction-to-artificial-points-of-success-like-being-able-to/) [Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/) > [“Addictions are just symptoms of underlying issues, and in my view Nikki self-medicated the emotional pain of his childhood, and being away from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/addictions-are-just-symptoms-of-underlying-issues-and-in-my-view/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [“Oil. The great addiction of the civilized world”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-warren/oil-the-great-addiction-of-the-civilized-world/) [Andrew Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-warren/) > [“They say when you fall in love in love with someone that person becomes like a drug,an addiction you don't want to live without.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-when-you-fall-in-love-in-love-with-someone-that-person/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Addictions - Run to Jesus instead of running to your addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/addictions-run-to-jesus-instead-of-running-to-your-addiction/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. It all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/music-is-my-personal-addiction-so-much-of-everything-i-ve-done-has/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. Only you can shoot me down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-james/i-am-made-of-a-thousand-ghosts-only-you-can-shoot-me-down/) Bella James > [Religious work is one of the best ways to keep from facing your reality if you are Christian, if you are using it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-miller/religious-work-is-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-from-facing-your/) [Keith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-miller/) > [Cold sweats, hallucinations I wanna speed to stop. The hell I'm going through The addiction's taking you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bullet-for-my-valentine/cold-sweats-hallucinations-i-wanna-speed-to-stop-the-hell-i-m-going/) [Bullet For My Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bullet-for-my-valentine/) > [As addictions go, reading is among the cleanest, easiest to feed, happiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/as-addictions-go-reading-is-among-the-cleanest-easiest-to-feed/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-norman/alcoholism-is-a-choice-not-a-life-sentence/) David Norman > [“Suckers think that you cure greed with money, addiction with substances, expert problems with experts, banking with bankers, economics with economists, and debt crises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/suckers-think-that-you-cure-greed-with-money-addiction-with/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) [Browse all 2,134 Addiction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think that addiction is a very, very important thing that has to be treated, but has to be treated as a health problem and not as a police problem.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wagner Moura" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-important-thing-that-has-to-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Addiction" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-important-thing-that-has-to-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/wagner-moura-25812_addiction_i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-im_3194481.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think that addiction is a very, very important thing that has to be treated, but has to be treated as a…” — Wagner Moura", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Wagner Moura", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wagner-moura/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think that addiction is a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-important-thing-that-has-to-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wagner-moura/i-think-that-addiction-is-a-very-very-important-thing-that-has-to-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```