Associated Press destroys the War on Drugs. Absolutely damning article.

[Kappo]

As a gay man I'm quite familiar with that side of the drug culture, even though I've never personally taken any illegal drugs other than smoking pot once or twice when I was in high school. There are many gay men who recreationally use drugs like cocaine and ecstasy and a smaller group of gay men who party with harder stuff. That said, most of these men hold down good jobs, generally take care of themselves, and are otherwise normal, everyday contributors to both our economy and our society.

I have no interest in escaping reality with those or many other substances, but I cannot think of any good reason they should be prevented from using them. Obviously, if they're missing work, being abusive or disrespectful, and generally being irresponsible, they have a problem and need help, but the conclusion I cannot logically escape is that those people would have problems being responsible and respectful anyway, whether they used illegal drugs or not.

Each of us makes decisions for ourselves and is responsible for those decisions. If we reject that responsibility there are going to be problems, for both us and others. That rejection of, or indifference to, responsibility is the root problem... not drug use. Drug abuse is just a form of irresponsibility, and no more detrimental to yourself or the rest of society than many other bad but perfectly legal things like obesity.

Drugs are not a cause of irresponsibility, they're a way in which to be irresponsible. There are many ways to be irresponsible, legal and otherwise.

At the end of the day, people either figure it* out or they don't... with all the accompanying rewards or consequences therein.

(* how to be responsible and successful in life; how to be good to yourself and others.)

We aren't going to stop people from doing drugs. Drugs are not really the issue. In a perfect world where everyone was responsible and respectful of others, they might be. But human nature doesn't allow this.

Letting people make their own decisions, failure or not, IS OK.

We are pissing TONS of money away trying to force people do not do something that they are going to do anyhow. I'll say I have seen some perfectly good people absolutely destroy their lives using drugs. And alcohol. And gambling.

Putting people in jail simply because they choose to screw themselves over is not working. It won't ever work. And it's expensive.

 

[BoberFett]

You people always forget the effects of the great depression in the US. No jobs, massive lay offs. Think for a minute about what is going on in Mexico and compare it.

Alcohol prohibition was 10 years before the great depression. You are one ignorant fool. Stop arguing about this topic which you repeatedly show yourself to know NOTHING about.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Alcohol prohibition was 10 years before the great depression. You are one ignorant fool. Stop arguing about this topic which you repeatedly show yourself to know NOTHING about.

I am not, because the real problems only arose after the depression. Learn your own history. As always a big mouth, but no brains.

EDIT:
Besides, you still have not learned to read. I am a very advocate of the idea that people should have some means of escape. As such you give people the freedom to use some alcohol and cannabis and cigarettes while not glorifying these products, together with prevention and a clear campaign not to over do it. Afcourse there will be always people who want to use but as i mentioned numerous times, exceptions will always exist.