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This is where my quasi-libertarian side kicks in. Here in the Pittsburgh area, the media for the past few days has been innudated with stories of a supposed epidemic of heroin overdose deaths (three I believe). All the politicians and do-gooders are wringing their hands. My view? Good and good riddance. This is not some disease where you become ill and die through no fault of your own. This is a behavior choice. These individuals make the choice to take these drugs. They take the risk. Why should I weep and gnash my teeth over them? In my view, these are three fewer lowlifes my tax dollars have to support.

On the other hand, there is money that could be made from legalization. If we have to spend so much money treating the addicts, not to mention feeding, clothing and housing them, then why not legalize the drugs? In doing so, we could regulate and tax the stuff. In taxing the drugs, we could recoup at least some of the money we lose on these lowlifes. And the supply would be a heckuva a lot safer.

"In taxing the drugs, we could recoup at least some of the money we lose on these lowlifes"

I live in Pittsburgh too and felt the same way when I heard the stories, but I'm not sure we would recoup cost. How long before the bleeding heart liberals would demand clinics (Canada has these) where druggies can go and get their fix for free? The social services wouldn't be stopped for these addicts....they would still be considered as having a disease so the welfare would continue to flow. How long before lawyers would step in and the druggies would demand "rights".....rights from transportation to clinics to the right to stronger kick (I'm sure a lawyer could come up with many more "rights")How many lawsuits would result from passing the responsibility via legalization...lawsuits b/c of actions committed by the druggie when your "drug bar" sold him the drug? the list is endless.....

I'm not sure that the social and material costs would be less with legalization.

I just heard on the radio that the tally is now 37 ODs, but I didn't catch how many died and how many were just sick.

I agree with you and do not feel sorry for them. How can a sane person feel sorry for someone who buys and ingests or injects a product labeled "High or die trying"? I think that I got that name right. It's printed on the packet of drugs as a brand.

This stupid war on drugs is as bad or worse than prohibition in the amount of death, crime, and corruption that the vast amounts of money tied to it bring.

When was the last time we saw gang wars over alcohol?

I don't even take prescribed medication or aspirin unless it's (ironically) do it or damn near die. Taking a drug that you buy from a criminal on a street corner has to be about the most stupid thing you can do. I don't advocate doing drugs, but the 'War' hasn't been effective in doing anything other than destroying some lives and making some people -- highly placed and powerful -- rich.

Gee, do you think that might be the real plan?

Here in the Pittsburgh area, the media for the past few days has been innudated with stories of a supposed epidemic of heroin

LMAO!
The media loves drug epidemics!
Some of my favorites:
1960 Heroin Epidemic
1966 LSD Epidemic
1971 Heroin Epidemic #2
1972 Methamphetamine Epidemic
1981 Marijuana Epidemic
1990 Cocaine Epidemic
1994 Heroin Epidemic #3
There were more but these were the most entertaining. Have we won the drug war yet?
.

After seeing today's news coverage, I am dumbfounded.

Why all the pity for these people? Some, after being 'sescued' by the EMTs once, went out and bought and injected more. WTF?!?!?!

Let 'em go. Why save them so they can just perpetuate their habit and repeat their crimes while we/society pick up the tab and wait to be victimized again?