A case for "legalizing" drugs.

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by gumborue, Sep 8, 2009.

  1. gumborue

    gumborue Throwin Ched

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    Messages:
    10,839
    Likes Received:
    577
    im no fan of drugs, but i do realize the vast resources our country spends on the "war on drugs".

    from the economist Portugal's drug policy: Treating, not punishing | The Economist

    "the Cato Institute, a libertarian American think-tank...

    decriminalisation has had no adverse effect on drug usage rates in Portugal”, which “in numerous categories are now among the lowest in the European Union”. This came after some rises in the 1990s, before decriminalisation. The figures reveal little evidence of drug tourism: 95% of those cited for drug misdemeanours since 2001 have been Portuguese. The level of drug trafficking, measured by numbers convicted, has also declined. And the incidence of other drug-related problems, including sexually transmitted diseases and deaths from drug overdoses, has “decreased dramatically”.

    “It is important not to confuse decriminalisation with depenalisation or legalisation,” ...“Drug use remains illegal in Portugal, and anyone in possession will be stopped by the police, have the drugs confiscated and be sent before a commission.”

    The police turn some 7,500 people a year over to the commissions. But nobody carrying anything considered to be less than a ten-day personal supply of drugs can be arrested, sentenced to jail or given a criminal record.

    Officials believe that, by lifting fears of prosecution, the policy has encouraged addicts to seek treatment. This bears out their view that criminal sanctions are not the best answer.

    The number of addicts registered in drug-substitution programmes has risen from 6,000 in 1999 to over 24,000 in 2008, reflecting a big rise in treatment (but not in drug use). Between 2001 and 2007 the number of Portuguese who say they have taken heroin at least once in their lives increased from just 1% to 1.1%. For most other drugs, the figures have fallen: Portugal has one of Europe’s lowest lifetime usage rates for cannabis. And most notably, heroin and other drug abuse has decreased among vulnerable younger age-groups, according to Mr Cardoso."


    i think the take home is that perhaps decriminalizing drugs would not make the entire US look like Newark. we might even save a lot of tax $$$ (to spend on healthcare :grin:) or at least transfer the $$$ from jails to treatments, which should lead to a more productive society anyway.
     
  2. islstl

    islstl Playoff committee is a group of great football men Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2003
    Messages:
    46,115
    Likes Received:
    9,705
    "we might even save a lot of tax $$$ (to spend on healthcare ) or at least transfer the $$$ from jails to treatments"

    So we tell these losers "hey it's ok if you get high and even if it get's out of your control we will fund a rehab center for you to get your habit back under control".

    Yeah, I'm for that.
     
  3. gumborue

    gumborue Throwin Ched

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    Messages:
    10,839
    Likes Received:
    577
    jail isnt a deterrent. kinda the point of the article. no jail, no increase in drug use.

    i suppose a third option is to decriminalize it and offer no support, but thats worse for the users and the economy.
     
  4. LaSalleAve

    LaSalleAve when in doubt, mumble

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    Messages:
    44,037
    Likes Received:
    18,027
    :popcorn:
     
  5. SabanFan

    SabanFan The voice of reason

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2002
    Messages:
    26,080
    Likes Received:
    1,247
    Let's decriminalize burglary and armed robbery while we're at it.
     
  6. islstl

    islstl Playoff committee is a group of great football men Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2003
    Messages:
    46,115
    Likes Received:
    9,705
    But only if you plan to burglarize up to 4 homes in the next 6 months.

    Be sensible, Sabanfan.
     
  7. gumborue

    gumborue Throwin Ched

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    Messages:
    10,839
    Likes Received:
    577
    just being contrary :) or do you really lump those crimes in with drug use?

    portugal's decriminalization of drugs in the 2000s has coincided with a decrease in crime
     
  8. SabanFan

    SabanFan The voice of reason

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2002
    Messages:
    26,080
    Likes Received:
    1,247
    Moi? :hihi:
     
  9. mctiger

    mctiger RIP, and thanks for the music Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2003
    Messages:
    26,148
    Likes Received:
    16,732
    I think this is the direction to take the US drug problem. Continue to prosecute dealers/pushers and users who commit violent crimes to the fullest extent. For the recreational users caught with what is clearly a personal amount in possession, confiscate the stuff, and sentence them to community service. Let the users decide for themselves if the fun of using is worth a few weekends wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, picking up trash along the highway.
     
  10. mobius481

    mobius481 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2006
    Messages:
    7,731
    Likes Received:
    1,350
    Correlation doesn't indicate causation. Of course it doesn't preclude it either, but we probably all agree on that.
     

Share This Page