The Argument for Why we should Legalize Drugs...

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Not everyone is in agreement with this, however I find the article interesting and thought provoking.

The case for legalizing drugs, according to Doctor

Excerpts:

"Addiction is also a relative and ubiquitous phenomenon. It certainly cannot be applied only to a short arbitrary list of addictive substances while ignoring. a plethora of human cravings - from chocolate to coffee, from gum to gambling, from tea, to tobacco, from snuggling to sex. Compulsive urges to fulfill a perceived need are ubiquitous. Some people are more susceptible to addiction than others and some "needs" are more addictive than others. Probably the most addictive substance in our civilization is tobacco - yet no one has suggested making it illegal".

"It is frequently stated that illicit drugs are "bad, dangerous, destructive" or "addictive," and that society has an obligation to keep them from the public. But nowhere can be found reliable, objective scientific evidence that they are any more harmful than other substances and activities that are legal. In view of the enormous expense, the carnage and the obvious futility of the "drug war," resulting in massive criminalization of society, it is high time to examine the supposed justification for keeping certain substances illegal. Those who initiated those prohibitions and those who now so vigorously seek to enforce them have not made their objectives clear. Are they to protect us from evil, from addiction, or from poison?"

 

[Brutuskend]

IMO a drug problem only becomes a problem if you can't support your habit.

You can use drugs, or DRUGS can use YOU!

If you have a addictive personality or addiction runs in your family, STAY AWAY FROM ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES!

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

I also find his statements per this article interesting as well;

"We should look at the fact that a relatively low budget public education campaign has resulted in a significant decline in US consumption of both alcohol and tobacco during a period when a costly and intensive campaign to curtail illegal drugs only resulted in their increased usage. Is there a lesson to be heeded?

Of course there is. Scrap the nonsense of trying to obliterate drugs and acknowledge their presence in our society as we have with alcohol and tobacco. Legalization would result in:

1. purity assurance under Food and Drug Administration regulation;
2. labeled concentration of the product (to avoid overdose);
3. obliteration of vigorous marketing ("pushers");
4. obliteration of drug crime and reduction of theft crime
5. savings in expensive enforcement and
6. significant tax revenues.

Effort and funds can then be directed to educating the public about the hazards of all drugs.

Can such a change of attitude happen? Probably not, because the huge illegal drug industry has mountains of money for a media blitz and for buying politicians to sing the songs of "evil" and "danger" which is certain to kill any legislative attempt at legalization. Perhaps it will take some time before reality can prevail, but meanwhile we should at least do more to expose deception and to disseminate the truth."

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
IMO a drug problem only becomes a problem if you can't support your habit.

You can use drugs, or DRUGS can use YOU!

If you have a addictive personality or addiction runs in your family, STAY AWAY FROM ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES!

Yes, I agree with this statement. But how would you know if you were prone to addictive behavior?

I would think if they legalized drugs, and pour more money and emphasis on education, and help for addicts, just as they do for alcoholics we might see a reduction in crime. Less people OD'ing because the quality of drug would be assured, and unknown substances eliminated from the drug.

In most cases, it's what is added to these drugs, or cut into them, that ends up killing the person. OD's happen because the person using the drug buys a batch the first time and that batch might have been cut down with something making it not nearly as strong or potent. That person might not even be aware of that. Then when they go to make another purchase the next time, the cut down may be less, and the drug is more potent. That person then takes the same amount of drug he/she did the last time, and OD's because the drug they bought the second time around was far more potent than the first batch. Unintentionally ODing.

 

[GeneValgene]

even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

There are addicts out there who have jobs...

They live day to day with their addictions, just like some alcoholics do.

But the crime rate will go down, significantly. You have people stealing for lesser things that don't involve drugs.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

There you have it. People who want it and can't pay for it are going to commit crimes whether it's legal or not. They should be legalized.

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

There you have it. People who want it and can't pay for it are going to commit crimes whether it's legal or not. They should be legalized.

true

but they better have strict rules abotu driving under the influence of a lot of this stuff

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: ValkyrieofHouston

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

There are addicts out there who have jobs...

They live day to day with their addictions, just like some alcoholics do.

But the crime rate will go down, significantly. You have people stealing for lesser things that don't involve drugs.

Elvis and Howard Hughes just to name a few.

 

[GeneValgene]

also, would they only be available by prescription?

then they are going to have to do tests on humans, drug interactions, side effects, and go through FDA approval...that'll cost money (+time) too

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: ValkyrieofHouston

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

There are addicts out there who have jobs...

They live day to day with their addictions, just like some alcoholics do.

But the crime rate will go down, significantly. You have people stealing for lesser things that don't involve drugs.

Elvis and Howard Hughes just to name a few.

try half the rockstars from the 70s and 80s.. all those metal bands that made so much cash all thier cash went up thier noses... look at poison and motley crue for big name examples.. millions of dollars spent on drugs and partying... and several deaths along the way.

 

[PingSpike]

As long as I don't have to pay for their hospital bills with my taxes, they can OD to their hearts content.

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: ValkyrieofHouston

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

There are addicts out there who have jobs...

They live day to day with their addictions, just like some alcoholics do.

But the crime rate will go down, significantly. You have people stealing for lesser things that don't involve drugs.

Elvis and Howard Hughes just to name a few.

Oh no don't stop there... look at all the professional athletes, and the famous CEO's of various companies...

People like to think of an addict or drug user as some depraved, deprived, criminal thug like person.... typically black or hispanic...

No one wants to address the issue that alot of the drug users are most common among those who can afford it!

The Wealthy!

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
As long as I don't have to pay for their hospital bills with my taxes, they can OD to their hearts content.

haha yea...if the doctor agrees to sign off on a prescription for crack, the patient needs to agree no medical assistance will be provided in instances of OD

 

[Brutuskend]

Oh, and my Mother.

It's funny how people don't look the same way at those who are addicted to prescription drugs as they do those who buy their drugs off the street.

My mom's been addicted to drugs for a VERY VERY long time...

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

This -- right here -- is the pinnacle of all bad logic regarding the drug laws. This is the propaganda.

This is why the propaganda is wrong.
1. Stealing is already a crime.
2. Most addicts don't steal (most are functioning adults with jobs, degrees, and all).
3. People who don't do drugs also steal.
4. The artificially high prices of drugs caused by the prohibition black market is what encourages this "stealing" the most. Legalize, regulate, bring prices back down to normal, and virtually all of the incidental crime surrounding drugs will disappear.

The fact of the matter is that not one single illicit drug out there is anywhere near as harmful and addictive as are alcohol and tobacco. Not even heroin. Certainly not meth. Our drug laws are hypocrisy at its ugliest and most ignorant.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Oh, and my Mother.

It's funny how people don't look the same way at those who are addicted to prescription drugs as they do those who buy their drugs off the street.

My mom's been addicted to drugs for a VERY VERY long time...

very good point... I know several peeps that are addicted to codene and vicodins.

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
also, would they only be available by prescription?

then they are going to have to do tests on humans, drug interactions, side effects, and go through FDA approval...that'll cost money (+time) too

They didn't do that with Alcohol when they lifted the prohibition...

Why would they do that with these drugs?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: GeneValgene

Originally posted by: PingSpike
As long as I don't have to pay for their hospital bills with my taxes, they can OD to their hearts content.

haha yea...if the doctor agrees to sign off on a prescription for crack, the patient needs to agree no medical assistance will be provided in instances of OD

Every year, more than 100,000 people in the US die from overdose or misuse of legal prescription drugs. In comparison, only 10,000 people die from overdose of illegal drugs, most of those from heroin, and most of that due to the imprecise quality and purity of heroin on the unregulated black market.

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

This -- right here -- is the pinnacle of all bad logic regarding the drug laws. This is the propaganda.

This is why the propaganda is wrong.
1. Stealing is already a crime.
2. Most addicts don't steal (most are functioning adults with jobs, degrees, and all).
3. People who don't do drugs also steal.
4. The artificially high prices of drugs caused by the prohibition black market is what encourages this "stealing" the most. Legalize, regulate, bring prices back down to normal, and virtually all of the incidental crime surrounding drugs will disappear.

The fact of the matter is that not one single illicit drug out there is anywhere near as harmful and addictive as are alcohol and tobacco. Not even heroin. Certainly not meth. Our drug laws are hypocrisy at its ugliest and most ignorant.

i guess i see your point. people steal money to support their alcohol or tobacco needs as well...

but unlike alcohol and tobacoo, i think even legalizing drugs is going to be much mroe expensive. i assume meth, cocaine, lsd, pcp, etc. are goign to only be available by prescription. i doubt med insurance is giong to want to pay

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Oh, and my Mother.

It's funny how people don't look the same way at those who are addicted to prescription drugs as they do those who buy their drugs off the street.

My mom's been addicted to drugs for a VERY VERY long time...

So true. My mother (who is in her 70s) has been taking a whole damn pharmacy of prescription drugs -- legally -- for as long as I can remember, and yet there's really nothing wrong with her. Doctors just write her whatever scripts she asks for.

What's that line from the movie Trainspotting? The main character talking about his own mother's medicine cabinet? Something like "a drug addict in her own socially acceptable way... "

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: GeneValgene

Originally posted by: PingSpike
As long as I don't have to pay for their hospital bills with my taxes, they can OD to their hearts content.

haha yea...if the doctor agrees to sign off on a prescription for crack, the patient needs to agree no medical assistance will be provided in instances of OD

Every year, more than 100,000 people in the US die from overdose or misuse of legal prescription drugs. In comparison, only 10,000 people die from overdose of illegal drugs, most of those from heroin, and most of that due to the imprecise quality and purity of heroin on the unregulated black market.

Further, their are 85,000 deaths from consumption of alcahol, not including those killed by drunk driving and the like. Further still, thier are 0 deaths EVER from pot.

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

This -- right here -- is the pinnacle of all bad logic regarding the drug laws. This is the propaganda.

This is why the propaganda is wrong.
1. Stealing is already a crime.
2. Most addicts don't steal (most are functioning adults with jobs, degrees, and all).
3. People who don't do drugs also steal.
4. The artificially high prices of drugs caused by the prohibition black market is what encourages this "stealing" the most. Legalize, regulate, bring prices back down to normal, and virtually all of the incidental crime surrounding drugs will disappear.

The fact of the matter is that not one single illicit drug out there is anywhere near as harmful and addictive as are alcohol and tobacco. Not even heroin. Certainly not meth. Our drug laws are hypocrisy at its ugliest and most ignorant.

Gawd I have said this soooo many times in these threads! Alcohol is still according to the National CDC the number one killer of people. Directly or indirectly.

Right now we have media that is stirring up alot of hype about Meth, and while I am not disputing how bad the effects of using Meth can be.... it is not the epidemic they are claiming it to be.

Everyday I pass by a new Cross with flowers on the freeway where someone was killed by a drunk driver.

There are less people who do these illicit drugs out driving in cars than there are drunks. But even if it were the same, the fact remains that we have legal drugs now that are just as destructive killing people. But we are arresting them, and baring harsh Social Prejudice against them for drinking, smoking ect.

We need to take a closer look at why we are failing in the war on drugs and how we could possibly improve the situation.

I believe legalization of drugs would help with alot of these problems.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
i guess i see your point. people steal money to support their alcohol or tobacco needs as well...

but unlike alcohol and tobacoo, i think even legalizing drugs is going to be much mroe expensive. i assume meth, cocaine, lsd, pcp, etc. are goign to only be available by prescription. i doubt med insurance is giong to want to pay

Those drugs are available by prescription right now (although you won't find a doctor who write such a script for you, nor a pharmacist who would fill it). What you're describing as legalization would not be a change from the current situation.
Legalization means that adults will be able to buy those drugs the same way they buy hard alcohol today.

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: ValkyrieofHouston

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: GeneValgene
even if they legalize it, how are the addicts going to pay for it?

they're still going to want to steal it, right?

This -- right here -- is the pinnacle of all bad logic regarding the drug laws. This is the propaganda.

This is why the propaganda is wrong.
1. Stealing is already a crime.
2. Most addicts don't steal (most are functioning adults with jobs, degrees, and all).
3. People who don't do drugs also steal.
4. The artificially high prices of drugs caused by the prohibition black market is what encourages this "stealing" the most. Legalize, regulate, bring prices back down to normal, and virtually all of the incidental crime surrounding drugs will disappear.

The fact of the matter is that not one single illicit drug out there is anywhere near as harmful and addictive as are alcohol and tobacco. Not even heroin. Certainly not meth. Our drug laws are hypocrisy at its ugliest and most ignorant.

Gawd I have said this soooo many times in these threads! Alcohol is still according to the National CDC the number one killer of people. Directly or indirectly.

Right now we have media that is stirring up alot of hype about Meth, and while I am not disputing how bad the effects of using Meth can be.... it is not the epidemic they are claiming it to be.

Everyday I pass by a new Cross with flowers on the freeway where someone was killed by a drunk driver.

There are less people who do these illicit drugs out driving in cars than there are drunks. But even if it were the same, the fact remains that we have legal drugs now that are just as destructive killing people. But we are arresting them, and baring harsh Social Prejudice against them for drinking, smoking ect.

We need to take a closer look at why we are failing in the war on drugs and how we could possibly improve the situation.

I believe legalization of drugs would help with alot of these problems.

good your are examining this...but it's going to take a lot to turn public opinion

btw, are you from houston?