Quote:
Originally posted by Lothar
Once again, the "War on Drugs" must be judged by its results rather than its intent. The intent might be to keep people from harming themselves by the use of drugs. While well-meaning, the result has been to waste an enormous amount of taxpayer dollars, needlessly imprison a lot of people for possession, and creating a criminal culture around the distribution of drugs.
Forget the taxing. Rather than adding one more form of government thievery, why not eliminate ten others. Legalize drugs for the simple reason that criminalizing them has been a disaster.
Here's a discussion of U.S. drug policy where Pete Wilson gets his ass handed to him by Milton Friedman.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8056316969143175615&q=Milton+Friedman+Pete+Wilson&hl=en
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Sir, you may have just changed my position. Laws must change to accomodate society. Our culture, be that as it may, is dynamic. Perhaps we should look to legalize drugs and treat for addiction.
I am still hung up on what to legalize and what not to legalize. Heroin and other opiates are devastating drugs that are very additive. What about all the cocaine analogues? Methamphedamines? LSD et al?
Lets say you make driving while under any influence a severe crimminal offense, will that influence behaviour?
What about the cost of treatment? Taxation? No, no one wants that buracracy.
So the real question is not to legalize it or not but to understand the reason to use. I smoke cigars and drink a little from time to time because I enjoy the feeling of a good warm buzz. I have not and will not get a drunk on again becasue I really do not like the feeling nor the memory loss and I am strong enough in character to hold back. I don't think some folks are as fortunate.