Posted on 11/04/2020 3:45:37 PM PST by Lurking Libertarian
I’d argue a century ago there was enough of an influx of immigrants from Europe to replace any druggies, who at that time had no social/free medical nets to rely on and whose life expectancy was exceedingly short as social outcasts. Additionally, Christianity was widespread 100 years ago in the 92% white population, and a natural deterrent to drug use. This is still reflected today in the rate of drug use in rural areas (5%) over urban areas (20%), with the highest rate being among those 18-25 (39%). The eras can’t be compared - apples to oranges.
Considering street heroin is being cut with fentynl more often than not, compliments of China, there won’t be the long-term heroin addicts of the 60s - they will die. If the number of alcohol-related deaths doesn’t do it, the opoid overdoses that devastated the midwest should have been a lesson on ‘legalized’ drugs. Never mind the 800,000 drug overdoses in the last 10 years, and the 20 million ‘current or former’ drug addicts (with heroin surpassing cocaine by 150%). Then there’s the long-term effects of meth on the heart. And never mind the worthless value of mules transporting drugs for cartels, who are currently licking their chops.
The mistake intellectual libertarians make is in assuming all people who chose “recreational use” are mature, and responsible, like they themselves are. That most people can ‘control’ their drug use. The reality is people are for the most part dumb as rocks, especially 18-25yo’ds. And if you don’t believe most people are dumb, just gander at our prison populations - packed full of dumb. Given access to addictive substances, 18-25yo’ds are like lab rats - forgoing food for drugs and partying. Until they wake up one day, addicted and resorting to robbing their parents and neighbors, friends and then strangers for money for their habit. Because they can’t hold a job or even get hired in the first place. Ambitions, dreams and relationships replaced by a need to subdue the pain of withdrawals. It’s a story that happens in every community already. Legalizing addictive substances just compounds the problem - as any minority community will tell you.
[The mistake intellectual libertarians make is in assuming all people who chose “recreational use” are mature, and responsible, like they themselves are.]
I credit listening to Cheech & Chong as a kid for making me never wanting to try drugs.
That's fine. NO TAX MONEY FOR DRUGGIE "REHAB"!!
Alcohol is far more costly to society in so many ways than drugs. Should we bring back Prohibition? That was a sterling success , wasn’t it?
Yup.
Pretty sure drug dealers don’t ask kids for id. Think about the meaning of that.
They want drugs to penetrate society, to make it more and more acceptable, less criminal, defund police, keep the cities poor.
Soros is proud of you.
Marijuana is less addictive than the legal drug alcohol - whose addictiveness we're managing, and seeing little if any crime done to pay for alcohol.
If we finish the marijuana legalization that's already well underway, we may find ourselves left with a War on Drugs we can actually win - which is clearly not the case today.
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