tdgeek:

 

MikeAqua:

 

Prohibition is such an expensive failure, I no longer see the point of it ... 'drugs' have always been used, will always be used.  Prohibition seems to support an entire ecosystem of illegal activity, propped up by the high value and clandestine nature of prohibited drugs.

 

Are we wise to continue spend up large on ultimately ineffective enforcement of prohibition law? 

 

Or should we spend money on dealing with harm resulting from drug use?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I dont see the issue

 

 

 

Everything that is prohibited, has lawbreakers. Murder, rape, assaults, robbery. This means that every single criminal law is a failure. They aren't. The drug laws are no different. The war on drugs is just a political statement made decades ago by a politician. This just happens to be the flavour of the moment, nothing more 

 

I keep seeing this argument relating drug use to rape and murder. Saying that people are always going to do it of which yes, a small proportion of the population will rape and murder. But in saying this you're implying that even though the laws do not eradicate such actions, it does not mean we should legalize. Which is again true. But to relate that to drug use and abuse is wrong. It shows that fundamentally you believe someone who smokes pot or does other drugs are just as bad as murderers. 

None the less, here is the strongest argument for legalizing drugs. As witnessed across nations that have at least decriminalized drugs, they have seen a reduce in other more horrid crimes like theft, rape and murder. We know there is a strong collation between the recreational drug use of illegal substances and theft. People steal to fund their drug addiction. Another thing to note, Violence from crimes is often driven by drug use or more, failed drug dealings. Because criminals cant go up to the courts and say this man scammed me out of $20,000 worth of cocaine, they settle the issue with violence. What I am saying is to decriminalize drug use and to support those addicted to drugs with cheap, safe prescriptions and or alternatives, we would see a reduction in more horrid crimes like theft and murder.

The current drug laws are much like a university student who knows he needs to complete his thesis. He has good intentions to get it done but other than the odd crack down on it, he leaves it in his bag, trying not to think about it. As time ticks by, the impending issue grows in its severity. He knows if he doesn't start, he will fail it. He knows the end point. If he works on it, he doesn't know if he will pass or fail. If he has enough time and resources to combat the issue. On one hand he could fix it, he could try working hard on it. On the other hand, it is just easier to do as he has always done and just accept the consequences.

Society is like this student, Except a large proportion of us have decided we do not believe any other way will work so what is the point? This is again much like the global warming issue. A lot of people think, even if it is true, we're probably too late anyway and so what is the point in trying to fix something that we do no believe we can fix?