[cruiserman]

everyone I know who moved on to a productive life totally gave up hard drugs and minimized alcohol and pot use.

I would agree, and the result is the same whether or not drugs are legal.

IMO The difference between legal and illegal drugs is that legitimate businesses don't typically kill their competitors.

[wardaddy]

There was actual a brief window back in the old days 20 years ago when pot smugglers and dealers did not kill each other. The incidence of violence amongst the new gangster crack dealers and the South American drug lord ilk amongst others is also a cultural issue as much as the fact that it is illegal. I am wary of explaining away the problem with drugs as being caused by their illegality. There are a myraid of problem causing issues associated with drug use and drug dealing aside from violence. Legalization would not in my view cure all of these ills. I know folks who legitimately abuse painkillers and tranquilizers with the help of unethical doctors and criminality is not the issue but a whole host of other problems besides those affecting strictly the abuser come into play. This is a major plank for the WOD proponents with regards to drug use being victimless. As I've said before on this thread there is that often lamented third rail of action which I fear that uncharacteristically I'm in favor of here.