Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie emphasized different ways Saturday night of attacking drug abuse, an exploding problem in the U.S.
Asked how they would combat drug abuse, particularly of heroin, at an ABC-sponsored Republican presidential debate, Cruz emphasized halting drug smuggling across the Mexican border, while Christie said offenders need to get treated instead of being sent to jail.
The issue is of particular interest in New Hampshire, where the debate was held, as the state has one of the highest drug addiction rates in the country.
While not necessarily disagreeing with the other’s approach, the men’s answers to the problem showcased their differing approaches to policy issues in general: Cruz emphasizes protecting the U.S. from outside evils, while Christie touts himself as a pragmatist who meets people where they’re at.
Cruz, who has recently talked on the campaign trail as well as during the debate about his half-sister Miriam’s death from drug addiction, said the problem needs to be solved through securing the border. “We know how to secure the border, we just lack the political will to do it,” he said. “We will end this deluge of drugs.”
Meanwhile, Christie praised a measure he signed in 2012 which provides addiction treatment for non-violent drug offenders instead of sending them to jail in New Jersey, a state that also has a high rate of overdose deaths.
“This is a disease, it’s not a moral failing,” Christie said. “I’m pro-life, and not just for the nine months they’re in the womb, I’m pro-life for when they get out and it’s a lot more complicated.”
