“You are very unrealistic in your belief that drug addicts have some enormous ability to make money.”
I never said they could make millions, just that they weren’t limited by their own budget. An addict is not just going to give up if the price goes up, they are going to steal more, scam more, and prostitute themselves more to get the money, if they can. If all else fails, they’ll try to steal the drugs instead of paying for them.
What I think is unrealistic is thinking that just arresting dealers is going to price people out of the market. We’ve been doing that aggressively for what, 40 plus years now? You can’t argue the sentences are not harsh, or the budgets for enforcement are paltry. How much more of an effect can we hope to squeeze from enforcement?
“What I think is unrealistic is thinking that just arresting dealers is going to price people out of the market”
It is not just the actual price of drugs, it is the lack of availability. Drug addicts usually don’t have strong work ethics and having to search through dangerous areas and pay a higher price is a lot more effective than you think.
In many areas incompetent, corrupt politicians are in charge. The drug laws are not enforced. People look the other way. That is the situation where drug dealing is widespread.
Arrest them. Take their drugs. Take their money. It works.
If there's heroin in Vermont and Missouri its because LE isn't doing it's job.
The Governor of Vermont is a demented socialist asshole, and the blood of every kid that dies of an overdose is on his hands.