As far as patients who need symptom relief, give them whateve they want. we already do not do enough to alleviate terminal patients' pain because of our moralistic attitude about drugs and fear "they will become addicted"( like they have time?).
Legalize drugs, all drugs.The WOD is a total fiasco, waste of tax payor money, contributes to organized crime and personal violent crime; puts people in jail that could be contributing members of society and we pay the price tag.
I, too , have worked in the substance abuse field and making alcohol or drugs illegal has never helped anyone into treatment when it comes to jailing them or putting them in prison. If someone commits a crime ( like driving while drunk) the legal aspects do have a possibility of getting someone into treatment. We now have almost no treatment for prisoners. We just warehouse them.
Neal Boortz had a great concept for driving a motorcycle without a helmet..make the person put up the money or complete insurance coverage so I don't have to pay for their treatment or disability.
We tried prohibition; didn't work. We legalize alchohol, cigarettes, pain meds..etc. I can't believe we still think making drugs illegal will work.
There was a time when FREEDOM reigned in the forum.... Now, I must say that I am dismayed. Unfortunately, many of our fellow Freepers seem to think just like the LEFT....They always take the opposite position of the opposition....regardless of the logical argument.
There are freedoms that both camps can agree to...without jettisoning their core beliefs.
I do not smoke dope...but if it would ease my wife's suffering I'd locate it, buy it, and administer it....