Posted on 03/05/2006 2:49:43 PM PST by freedom44
Cocaine, marijuana, heroin and LSD - all of these drugs are illegal to possess, produce or traffic in the United States of America. Yet, tobacco, alcohol and various other over the counter drugs are legal in the United States. Why, I ask?
I do not understand why certain drugs are illegal in America, and why other drugs that are just as dangerous and addictive are legally and socially accepted. This country currently spends tens of billions of dollars each year trying to prevent drugs from entering the country. At the same time, billions of dollars are spent on advertisements promoting the use of other controlled substances.
Does anybody else see a flaw in the current system? Who are the people who decide what is a "good" drug and what is a "bad" drug? I believe the war on drugs has failed and that we should decriminalize all drugs. I do not understand why adults, in the privacy of their own homes, cannot put whatever substance they want into their bodies.
There are many positive effects that would come about if we legalized the possession and use of narcotics and various other illegal drugs.
First off, the prison populations would decrease greatly. Prisons are currently overcrowded because of the high percentage of inmates that are incarcerated on drug-related offenses. Many of these drug law offenders are in prison because of nonviolent possession offenses. Are these offenders that dangerous to society?
Besides having less people currently in prison, there are many other economic rewards for the legalization of drugs. The federal government would be able to tax and regulate the sale of legalized drugs, increasing tax revenues.
In addition, this would allow police departments around the country to be able to focus on malicious crimes instead of drug-related offenses. This would produce more efficient policing departments, and could perhaps prevent more non-drug related crime. Although the economic advantages of legalizing drugs are important, the social advantages are even greater.
The legalization of drugs would make drug use a health problem instead of a criminal problem. Drug users would be able to freely seek help and rehabilitation, without fearing legal implications.Rehabilitation, instead of imprisonment, would not only help current drug users with their actual drug habit, but also wash some of the stigmate away from drug use. No longer would a drug user be forced to hide his habit from his friends and family. Drug users could use their social networks to help them quit their habits, instead of hiding the problem for fear of rejection.
The poor neighborhoods of the city would also be radically changed if all drugs were legalized. A serious problem with most poor inner-city neighborhoods is drug-related crime and street gangs. Most street gangs are based on the trafficking of illegal drugs. With the legalization of drugs, many street gangs would cease to exist. Without the street gangs and drug dealers littering the neighborhood, the inner-city areas would be a radically different place.
Not only has the illegal-drug trade destroyed inner city areas around the United States, entire countries have been ruined because of it. The United States is by far the biggest market in the illegal-drug trade, and for our market to be supplied, there are various producer countries around the globe.
For example, Columbia's entire economy is based on the drug trade with the United States. Because of this, Columbia has one of the lowest Gross Domestic Products in the world. Columbia is also controlled by drug cartels that we have indirectly created because of the drug laws in the United States.
All of the reasons above are examples of the damage that the criminalization of drugs creates. The problems of our drug laws far outweigh the advantages the criminalization of drugs creates.
I also know personally that a friend was high on pot, drove his car into a bridge and died. If there is one there is more. Problem with the stats is they come from far too many places and lack commom scientific means. Too many places do not have forensics for valid diagnosis, MEs to JPs citing COD, etc.
It's the internet...and you don't have a clue what I think.
Why not be honest to Bobby and tell him that coke can do these things, while you refuse to give him your identification-- as that will now be required for him to make a purchase?
You know why it is illegal?
Tell me so I'll know too.
So much for civil discourse and an attempt at a satirical comment.
Had fun, but it's time for bed. G'Night.
You don't know me, Miss Cleo.
I know that you're dishonest. It certainly doesn't take Miss Cleo to see that. I'll re-post the evidence to back that up.
I might have said one thing that was wrong, and I apologize,
It's dishonest to post something wherein you make a claim about something a person did when in fact you know the person didn't do what you claim. I know what you did say that was certainly wrong (see repost below). I don't know what you said that might be wrong.
Zon: You are dishonest. I'll say it again: you are dishonest. I never perched the virtues of meth. You know you've never read me preaching the virtues of meth. You are so dishonest that you will do anything but post a quote where I preached the virtues of meth. You trapped yourself. So be it. Your problem -- not mine.167 |
Look it up, watch the history channel, whatever, it's late. G'Night.
You're babbling again.
It's illegal because it makes white women sleep with negro jazz musicians. Don't you know man? Where have you been since the '30's?
Amen.
It is illegal because of government propaganda that most people accept as fact.
A simple lie, repeated over and over, became the truth.
That is why marijuana is illegal.
We're from the government and we're here to help you cabojoe
So sad. In the final feeding frenzy it will be the unwitting people that don't have their guard up that will be the first to get trashed which will open the rest of the populations eyes to when their turn will come.
Professional politicians hate liberty. Our government is about 100 years overdue for a serious enema.
It's the internet...
Is that you're excuse for being dishonest -- that because it's the internet it doesn't effect your integrity?
cabojoe: It's called obeying the law.170
Zon: And when there becomes a law that says you must live the rest of your life in excruciating pain you'll agree that it's best for you to obey the law. Despite it causing you excruciating pain. 179
You can legally get pain medication under the direction of a doctor.
That would violate the law that says the person must live the rest of their life in excruciating pain. It would be illegal to not live in excruciating pain.
(As if drug worshipers are now medical advocates only) LOL
You're babbling again. You go in and out worse than any person I've ever seen high on alcohol or drugs.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.