The Guardian platforming a far right figure is nothing short of appalling.
Supposedly, awareness programs against sexual violence should not be run, because it might hurt someone's feelings. This point, The Guardian, is more than happy to run.
Then, so-called "vices" are supposedly what someone should see as the "evil", and someone shouldn't worry about anything else. Mental health issues? That might be expensive to fund. Traditionalistic attitudes passed down from parents? Nah. It's a clearly traditionalistic view of the world dressed up in a "neutral" garb.
There is also no point where a misrepresentation is not made. While some points superficially make sense, they also drip with shadowy conspiracies, because it seems no one can disagree with this person without there being a cabal somewhere involved in it.
This very individual has been known to promote conspiracy theories, such as QAnon, and directed harassment against scientists in order to pander to far right individuals. Perhaps, he has better decorum now, that doesn't matter, it's still a disgrace.
The editor who platformed this should take a long and hard look in the mirror.
Let's think of some potential "factors" from a more progressive angle.
"tough on crime" policies which separate parents from their children. That is bad for the mental well-being of their children.
By criminalizing cannabis, there is a higher chance of it containing something extra which might be lethal. Once again, that is surely bad for the mental well-being of their children.
We could go on. These points are politically unpalatable though, particularly the first one.
Even with alcohol, might this not be a coping mechanism? I'm not hearing chatter about mental health services here. Maybe, that is also unpalatable but it is curious how that is uniquely off the table.
The insistent conflation between practices someone might think unwise and abuse also obscures the possibility for sex education, perhaps also for adult populations (i.e. BDSM and other such things). Also, if someone frames any messaging as "anti abuse" or "consent", then someone might well tune that out, as opposed to practicing things safely or something.
