RFK Jr. wants to help treat addiction with ‘wellness farms’
Former President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced criticism for his views on vaccines, farming, abortion, and more. However, one aspect of his perspective that has received less attention is his approach to treating addiction, one of the nation’s most pressing health crises.
Before joining Trump’s team, Kennedy campaigned for president on a plan to address addiction by creating “wellness farms” funded by tax revenues from federally legalized marijuana sales. These wellness farms would serve as a place for individuals to get off illegal drugs, opioids, and even legal drugs. Kennedy, who has openly shared his own struggles with addiction to cocaine and heroin, credits his faith and commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12 Step-program for his recovery.
Kennedy’s vision for wellness farms is rooted in the therapeutic community model, which emphasizes peer-to-peer support and behavioral solutions for addiction. This approach differs from medication-based treatments like methadone or buprenorphine therapy, which aim to reduce cravings for opioids. While many in the medical community view medication-assisted treatment as the gold standard for addiction treatment, Kennedy advocates for a drug-free approach.
During his presidential campaign, Kennedy filmed a documentary titled “Recovering America – A Film About Healing Our Addiction Crisis,” where he visited programs that aligned with his vision for wellness farms. These programs focused on peer-to-peer recovery, offering addicts jobs, trade skills training, and organic farming opportunities to reintegrate into society without drugs.
One such program, Simple Promise Farms in rural Texas, follows a similar framework, emphasizing peer support over licensed therapy or medication. While some experts question the exclusion of evidence-based treatments in favor of peer-led programs, Kennedy believes in the power of shared experiences to combat addiction.
Critics argue that excluding medications like anti-depressants or buprenorphine may limit the effectiveness of addiction treatment programs. Keith Humphreys, a psychologist and drug policy expert, suggests that modern treatment advancements should not be overlooked in addressing the complex nature of addiction.
Despite the potential benefits of wellness farms, Humphreys raises concerns about the bureaucratic challenges of funding these programs through marijuana tax revenues. He also notes that city dwellers may face obstacles in relocating to distant farms for treatment.
While Kennedy’s approach to addiction treatment may be unconventional, it underscores the need for innovative solutions to combat the ongoing crisis of addiction in America. As confirmation hearings for his nomination as Health Secretary loom, Kennedy’s perspective on wellness farms and drug-free recovery initiatives may spark further debate on the most effective strategies for addressing addiction.
