I'll be happy to answer that question!
YES!!!
First, it is none of my business nor the Gov’t’s business what you consume, whether it is bad for you, or not. I do believe people should be informed of possible health consequences, but certainly not arrested. But, if you want to kill yourself sniffing glue, guzzling vodka, pigging on Big Macs, or using Meth, that is your business. I am not your nanny, & neither should be the Gov’t. Just don't expect me to subsidize that behavior with my tax dollars thru welfare, housing, & health care.
Second, it is as impossible to stop substance abuse as it is to control the climate via cap & trade. If people want to get high, they will find a way. A check of drug literature shows a long list of “abusable” substances that the Gov’t does not prohibit. Wouldn't it be easier if the Gov’t posted a list of things we CAN consume or own or possess? Is that what you want? I should also point out that half your drug list didn't even exist when the Drug War started 70+ years ago. I wonder what substances will be abused 70 years from now? Or do you figure the DEA will have eradicated substance abuse by then? How long do we continue this very unsuccessful war before we declare defeat & give up? Never?
Third, people who ABUSE anything have a MENTAL HEALTH problem. They need help, not a lawyer. People who USE drugs, including alcohol, responsibly for recreation are harming no one, & do not deserve to be vilified or criminalized.
Lastly, the MOST dangerous drug - alcohol - is legal & taxed by the Gov’t, a tacit approval. How hypocritical is that, & what kind of “equal treatment” is that? What kind of choice is the Gov’t giving us - get cross-eyed or go to jail? Use the drug that has caused more misery than all the others together, or go to jail. A Gov’t that truly was concerned about substance abuse would outlaw alcohol & tobacco immediately & place them at the top of the DEA list. Oh yeah, Prohibition didn't work, & only enriched & empowered the worst elements of our society. Sound familiar?
Anyone who knows just a little about the Drug War history, knows that it was/is a jobs program for out of work prohibitionists & racists. Doesn't it seem strange that alcohol prohibition & repeal required Constitutional Amendments, yet all further prohibitions have been instituted in Congress? Where in the constitution is Congress given this power? Could it be the same place that the Health care takeover is authorized?
Well, you asked for & supported tyranny. Enjoy.
(Please see my other replies, #73 & #84, so I don't repeat myself.)
And don't say it's because more people die from alcohol related accidents/complications because that is laughable.
That is merely a product of the sheer number of people who use/abuse alcohol as opposed to the number of people who use/abuse narcotics.
Who do you think will have more health complications? Someone who drinks every night or someone who smokes crack every night? If the number of people who did heavy drug regularly approached the number of people who drink regularly in this country, we'd have a HUGE problem.