The war on drugs

[Sultan Of Swing]

This discussion is really open to everyone, but I'm using the UK as an example.

In the UK, many say that the war on drugs isn't working.

On one side, many claim that statistics quite clearly show that the government's harsh measures don't work, and a better solution is softer sentences, rehabilitation or outright decriminalisation.

The other side (like Peter Hitchens), will say that the reason it's not working is because the government is actually already very soft on drug offenders, and should have far stricter and harsher sentences to deter them.

Which side is right, and how do you know? Are we too soft or too harsh?

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't think it is the government that will be decisive on drug enforcement, but sure, I think there is way too much acceptance of drug by pretty much everyone.

 

[Nietzsche]

The war on drugs is a waste of time, money and lives. We're filling our prisons with people whos' only crime is doing something to themselves. You will NEVER get rid of drug use. Ever. This is a Sisyphean task that kills more people and ruin more lives per year than the drugs they're trying to destroy. If you legalize it you can regulate it and tax it. End of story.

 

[Revoltingest]

I voted for <too hard> because I believe that, but <other> would apply because I don't believe that most of those imprisoned should even be considered offenders. Victimless crimes should not be crimes.

 

[Augustus]

The only logical point is to reduce the harm from drug use.

Currently we maximise the price of drugs, forcing addicts to commit more crimes to feed the habit. Decide that the best people to receive drug revenue are violent criminals. Attract people to a life of crime through the vast profits in the drug trade. Spend fortunes imprisoning people for their involvement in the drug trade. Maximise health damage to users. etc. etc.

Not only is the policy beyond idiotic, it is also immoral. Especially as, for the West, the worst harms are exported to countries like Mexico.

US drug consumption and drug policy kills thousands of Mexicans every year and has destroyed their political and law enforcement systems.

The War on Drugs is probably the stupidest and most irrational policy in history. Even more stupid than the War on terror which is really saying something.

 

[LuisDantas]

Well, that underscores my point, at least. I would never think of drug use as "victimless".

 

[Augustus]

I had to vote other though as it is not 'too hard', it is too wrong.

 

[Vinayaka]

I didn't vote because the word 'drugs' isn't at all clear. War on aspirin, penicillin?

 

[Sultan Of Swing]

I didn't vote because the word 'drugs' isn't at all clear. War on aspirin, penicillin?

Ya know what I mean.

From cannabis to cocaine, heroin, horse tranquillisers, mushrooms, etc.

If you think one should be decriminalised but the others kept illegal then share!

 

[Augustus]

Well, that underscores my point, at least. I would never think of drug use as "victimless".

Normal alcohol use is victimless though.

Drug illegality causes more harm than drug use. Most victims are created by the illegality rather than the consumption per se.

 

[LuisDantas]

Normal alcohol use is victimless though.

I don't think so, unless somehow "normal" use is actually unusual.

Drug illegality causes more harm than drug use. Most victims are created by the illegality rather than the consumption per se.

I just can't understand how people came to such a conclusion. The exact opposite is true far as I can tell. I would much rather prohibit sleep control drugs and alcohol than legalize marijuana.

 

[Augustus]

horse tranquillisers

Aaargh, you just reminded me of my personal pet hate in drug journalism. Ketamine is always described specifically as a horse tranquilliser.

They might as well call Valium or Xanax 'horse tranquillisers', or doxycycline a 'horse antibiotic' or clenbuterol a 'horse steroid' or morphine a 'horse opioid painkiller'. All are pharmaceuticals that are used in both human and veterinary medicine after all.

 

[Sultan Of Swing]

Aaargh, you just reminded me of my personal pet hate in drug journalism. Ketamine is always described specifically as a horse tranquilliser.

They might as well call Valium or Xanax 'horse tranquillisers', or doxycycline a 'horse antibiotic' or clenbuterol a 'horse steroid' or morphine a 'horse opioid painkiller'. All are pharmaceuticals that are used in both human and veterinary medicine after all.

Don't be hatin' on my drug slang yo

 

[Augustus]

I would much rather prohibit sleep control drugs and alcohol than legalize marijuana.

Prohibition worked a treat after all...

 

[Revoltingest]

Don't be hatin' on my drug slang yo

Jesse Pinkman, is that you?

 

[Augustus]

Don't be hatin' on my drug slang yo

Slang is ok, it is the journalistic references that get my goat.

 

[Sultan Of Swing]

Jesse Pinkman, is that you?

I'm not going to lie, I just finished watching Breaking Bad last month, it will take time to wear off.

 

[LuisDantas]

Prohibition worked a treat after all...

Prohibition was insincere.

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm not going to lie, I just finished watching Breaking Bad last month, it will take time to wear off.

I watched the whole series as it aired, but I still catch reruns. It bears repeated watching.

 

[Augustus]

Prohibition was insincere.

Because so many people love a drink...