[cjshapi]

Actually I don't. The only drunk I know is a divorced self employed person whose settlement and income provide just enough for her to be happy on when both on and off the wagon. And I keep my distance from her.

I've distanced myself from those who have self destructive habits, because I see no positive gains from them. That does not mean I don't enjoy an adult beverage now and again, but keep it to a minimum.

[bc2]

Of course we distance ourselves from those people, it is only natural. But do they not exist? To say they don't is foolish.

There is actually a name for these people: "functional addict", i.e. people who do not have to commit crimes to fund drug/alcohol habits and are able to maintain some semblance of normality. I would say 99% of marijuana users and 85% of cocaine users fall into the category of drug users, who do not have to commit crimes to support their lifestyles. Are they as productive as they would be if they did not go home and do drugs? Probably not.

Are they committing crimes? Absolutely not! They are engaging in acts that are (temporarily) illegal. Big difference! It is not a "crime" to own an "illegal" firearm any more than it is to posses an "illegal" plant.

Crimes are actions which are the result of initiation of force or fraud. You cannot defraud yourself, or initiate force against yourself (one poster suggested suicide, which is the only possible example of one initiating force against oneself that I can think of). They also suggested arson as a crime against yourself, but burning your car is not a crime unless you are DEFRAUDING the insurance company (in which case you go from stupid to criminal).

I hope you see my point.