Replies

>>I strongly doubt that there are many people who are not deterred by the threat of addiction and fatal overdose but are deterred by legal penalty.<<

Then you would be seriously wrong. I know for a fact this is true, as I have asked people. Most beginning drug users do not think they will become addicted nor do they worry about an overdoes. "That happens to junkies, not to me."

>>How does continuation of use become an increase?<<

Um, if they are in jail, they aren't using it, right? I'm sure there is some drug abuse in prisons, but not to the extent there would be if the prisoners were not prisoners.

>>is their use of alcohol not legitimate<<

Whether it is or not isn't an issue. Alcohol servers other purposes. Cooking. Even to some extent, medicinal, but not due to the intoxication aspect of it.

>>Which makes them a minority<<

I wouldn't bet on that.

Most beginning drug users do not think they will become addicted nor do they worry about an overdoes. "That happens to junkies, not to me."

Beginning users of what drug? If you mean ANY drug, most users begin with alcohol, and I don't know anyone who as they began to drink alcohol trivialized the risks of heroin. (Ditto for beginning users of marijuana.) If you mean beginning users of heroin, they weren't deterred by illegality so they don't support your claim.

Um, if they are in jail, they aren't using it, right?

So better we pay their room and board than they use drugs? Sounds liberal to me.

Alcohol servers other purposes. Cooking. Even to some extent, medicinal

So despite the extensive damage done to buzz-seeking drinkers and those in their path, the legality of alcohol is justified by these other trivial uses? That's a very weak argument.