Posted on 11/16/2006 1:21:07 PM PST by zarf
You are not mistaken in believing that drugs are a scourge that is devastating our society. You are not mistaken in believing that drugs are tearing asunder our social fabric, ruining the lives of many young people, and imposing heavy costs on some of the most disadvantaged among us.
You are not mistaken in believing that the majority of the public share your concerns. In short, you are not mistaken in the end you seek to achieve. Your mistake is failing to recognize that the very measures you favor are a major source of the evils you deplore. Of course the problem is demand, but it is not only demand, it is demand that must operate through repressed and illegal channels. Illegality creates obscene profits that finance the murderous tactics of the drug lords; illegality leads to the corruption of law enforcement officials; illegality monopolizes the efforts of honest law forces so that they are starved for resources to fight the simpler crimes of robbery, theft and assault.
Drugs are a tragedy for addicts. But criminalizing their use converts that tragedy into a disaster for society, for users and non-users alike. Our experience with the prohibition of drugs is a replay of our experience with the prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
-b-
>>Your mistake is failing to recognize that the very measures you favor are a major source of the evils you deplore.<<
The man is not in the ground yet - we can always fight later.
But we should, in general, be alert to make sure that, whatever the issue, we do not employ measures that cause more of the evils we deplore.
The failed war on some drugs is a farce.
I sure would like to see Bennett's reply (if he attempted one).
Supply side or demand side, you are looking at only one side.
The US with its War on Drugs, is a Supply side assault on drugs.
But, the thing to keep in mind, is that we are not IGNORING the demand side. It is also being addressed. Just say no, attacked by the left, was such a plan. There are many ways to attack the demand side, but legalization is the wrong way to do that.
I don't think he showed much wisdom on this subject.
It's true, the WOD is creating a criminal justice nightmare.
But a complete legalization of all drugs would create a public health nightmare.
I'll take the nightmare we have over the nightmare we'd get.
Friedman was a philosopher in an armchair, not a doctor in an emergency room. That colored his perspective.
What is your position on this? Legalization?
WOD bump
Did we have a complete public health nightmare prior to 1914?
lol
Well, most people alive back then are dead today. That can't be good (ducking) . . .
lol!
I think drugs should be completely legal. Of course, any criminal actions taken while under the influence of drugs should be punished. However, we can also reap significant tax revenue from the sale of drugs which can help to offset the ridiculous income taxes that we already pay. We would also save a ton of money by not having to pay for every failed social program that was created to address the drug problem.
Besides, for many drug addicts, this problem will eventually solve itself.
If a fire is fought with fire [and the hangover is drunk down with more of the same stuff], then causing evil in fighting evil might be OK, or at least unavoidable. The more honest and logical approach would be seeking to minimize it.
"I'd start with decriminalization across the board"
Ok. does that mean that street dealers can sell to anyone?
Yes it is.
The problem began when people were given a pass because they were "addicted."
If you want to use drugs, drink alcohol, whatever, and then harm someone else, you're shouldn't be given a mulligan because of it.
No "treatment" programs, no SSI Disability checks, no nothing.
But who will sell the drugs? I don't get it.
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