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I'm sure you realize what Browne was trying to communicate - how the national drug problem would be microcosmic compared to it's current state had we never indulged in the moral crusade against drug use to begin with. Now much of our government's efforts (through OUR tax dollars) revolve around this never-ending war against Oceana. Why punish the users when they're already doing an excellent job of punishing themselves? Let them take themselves out of the picture on their own dime and time rather than continuing to grow the already mammoth judicial and incarceration industries.

When addicts infringe on the rights of others through crime, THEN prosecute them for their crimes. This would greatly restore respect for the judiciary process while freeing up resources and prison space.

Don't sweat it...Americans have been immersed in the War On Drugs for so long that any attempt to stop it would seem blasphemous. Hence no threat to the prison lobby nor any opium lollipops leading youth to ruin.

So let me see if I have this strait. The Libertarian model, then would eliminate all Governmental standards concerning product liability, since when drugs are made legal, and people die from taking them, even in small doses, such as PCP's, LSD, Cocaine, Heroin, it is the consumer who will carry the brunt of the inert dangers from ingesting drugs. Therefor it would follow that those innocent people killed by drug users, for instance the infant of a crack smoking baby sitter killed when tossed out a window due to his incessant crying would have no legal recourse? Except maybe against the baby sitter who most likely have little or no assets? But not against the manufacturer , nor supplier of a product, that can be lethal when taken in small doses? With alcohol the user must abuse it in order to be a threat to society, but we know that the same is not true of heroin, cocaine, acid, and the like.

On the point that arresting officers should be liable for the legal fee's and time spent in jail of those arrested and incarcerated, when eventually acquitted...do you really think OJ deserves compensation for his troubles?, and how many people will be willing to become police officers if they know jury nullification can put them in the poorhouse?