Legalization of drugs urged: Ex-police officer says 33-year-old 'war' is a failure

The Arizona Republic ^ | Sept. 21, 2003 | Judi Villa

[MrLeRoy]

It sounds radical. Even more so when it comes from a former narcotics cop.

But Jack Cole, a retired detective lieutenant with the New Jersey State Police, says the nation's 33-year "war on drugs" is a failure and the only way to really save lives, reduce addiction and lessen crime is to make drugs legal.

[Terriergal]

Ex-police officer says 33-year-old 'war' is a failure

So because we haven't succeeded in stopping people from doing something -- we should automatically make it OK to do?

Strange and useless rationale. Gotta give me more than that.

[Terriergal]

Now, if you want to talk about Ex or meth, then you have a good point.

Isn't meth used in some diet pills?

[Terriergal]

Now, if you want to talk about Ex or meth, then you have a good point.

Or better yet, ritalin?

[Terriergal]

Now, isn't it likely that the bad guys would then simply focus on the remaining illegal drugs? Or do you want us to believe that they would just quit and get real jobs?

They'd probably also turn toward making more child porn available.

[MrLeRoy]

So because we haven't succeeded in stopping people from doing something -- we should automatically make it OK to do?

No, because we haven't succeeded in stopping people from doing something that violates nobody's rights, and spend $40 billion a year trying, we should make it legal to do.

[Protagoras]

They'd probably also turn toward making more child porn available.

Amazing new reason to continue the WOD award of the day!!!!

Criminals will turn to other crimes. Great stuff.

[Terriergal]

stopping people from doing something that violates nobody's rights

Well then if we are going to legalize drugs we have to do it in the context of a system that holds individual people responsible for their actions. When we get that, I can about legalizing drugs.

[Terriergal]

:-)

[Fester Chugabrew]

"when was the last time you watched the legislative process, presided over by LAWYERS intent on keeping a job!

So who's responsible for the disconnect? Shall we discard representative government altogether? What are you going to do about it? Whine all day on FR?

[Terriergal]

I can about legalizing drugs. = I can talk about legalizing drugs.

[MrLeRoy]

Shall we discard representative government altogether?

No, but let's also not complacently trust it to make "laws that are of benefit to all of the governed."

[MrLeRoy]

Well then if we are going to legalize drugs we have to do it in the context of a system that holds individual people responsible for their actions. When we get that, I can about legalizing drugs.

Let's work toward both. Using one violation of rights (such as taxpayer-funded welfare and liberal judges) to justify another violation of rights (in this case, the War On Some Drugs) is not a conservative argument.

[Terriergal]

I dunno. taking drugs is voluntary - you don't have to make yourself a target of that war. However the first thing you mentioned is much farther reaching. I'd rather target that first.

[MrLeRoy]

taking drugs is voluntary - you don't have to make yourself a target of that war.

So is eating cheese. Does that make a War On Cheese OK? War On Using The Missionary Position?

[Terriergal]

Now you're getting silly. If it was French cheese, I'd agree.

[Protagoras]

Your refusal to deny drug usage is very telling.

Possibly the correct question is; are you currently using illegal drugs? Then one could move on in a logical fashion.

[Zack Nguyen]

"We have to legalize drugs so we can control them and regulate them and keep them out of the hands of our children," Cole said.

I seriously doubt that legalization will "keep it out of the hands of our children." After all, any teenager who wants alcohol can obtain it.

[pageonetoo]

I propose a constitutional convention, and keep the illegals away!
We ceased to be representative a long time ago...
how much of what is done is done because we asked for it?
example: Kollyforya- davis gives illegals licenses- in washington, bush gives kennedy 15 billion for "education"!
and lest we not forget, I seem to remember some postings here about the illegality of the IRS scheme we have visited on us every year!
who represents YOUR interests?

[RinaseaofDs]

Are you bringing up ritalin because it is being traded in the black market as a recreational drug, or because we are voluntarily medicating male children because they are exhibiting agressive male behavior?

If its the latter, then its worthy of discussion in another thread, most certainly.

If its the former, then I wasn't aware its being used as a rec drug.

[MrLeRoy]

taking drugs is voluntary - you don't have to make yourself a target of that war.

So is eating cheese. Does that make a War On Cheese OK? War On Using The Missionary Position?

Now you're getting silly.

It's the idea that banning voluntary acts is OK that's silly---if not downright disgusting.