Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Upon infringing upon our Constitutional Rights, it also has created a culture of violence whenever it's occurred. It happened when we criminalized alcohol in the 30's. Italian and Irish gangs ran the streets of "gangster city" and we clocked some of our most violent years. Prohibition was repealed and our murder rates dropped nation wide. They never again increased drastically until other drugs started to become criminalized in this country. Americans have continued to use, and ENTIRE COUNTRIES are at war over our DRUG MARKET.
A a few countries are involved in the drug war where the drugs are destined to the United States (and Europe). But a number of countries have their own internal drug problems and drug wars that have to do with their domestic market and not the USofA. Brazil is the second largest consumer of cocaine behind the USofA and it's drug traffickers war with the police are selling Brazilians and has nothing to do with the American market.
South Africa has some new drug that uses HIV drugs--and pharmacies are robbed for them--that has people hooked in the shanty towns.
Anyways... I think heroin and cocaine should be decriminalized like in Portugal and addicts shouldn't be forced into rehab just offered it, as they do in Portugal. Wouldn't that ease some of the financial burden on tax payers?
Mafia used to be violently involved in numbers running (you had better odds of winning than in the state lottos) but the state lotteries have basically taken over and professionals rather than thuggish elements are involved in its operations. Like selling alcohol today. So, you don't see store owners and the state lotto breaking peoples knees with bats. Just like you don't see payday loans and banks doing that compared to mafia loan sharks.
Point here is that the state empowers criminal organizations by keeping drugs illegal.
Amen! Rapid Screen drug tests costs pennies and would real give us tax payers relief from supporting the millions of junkies who depend on welfare.
(..and yes their children would starve in some cases...tough! that's life)
Britain gives free housing to young men in their 20s unable to work due to their drug addiction. Britian also has free health care--even for addicts. Apparently, if you spend money catching a cab to a hospital you go to the cashier at the hospital and they reimburse you the money you spent.
I don't share your views of allowing children to starve (as food pantries would likely run out of food).
There's so much money being wasted in this country why not re allocate some towards bettering people's lives.
I agree with posters about not forcing people into rehab. I was only using that scenario when someone faced jail time. Maybe it could be used as an incentive to shorten jail sentences.
I'm starting this thread to discuss a very serious issue in this country. The American Drug War, and culture towards its drug culture, has been extremely violent, counter-productive, and has sent billions towards private interest to incarcerate Americans. The money should be going towards treating the addicts and reducing the social ills associated with our illicit drug use.
With that said. We don't just have an ILLEGAL drug problem. We have a LEGAL drug problem. Both sides are motivated by profit and the American people are losing out. Millions of Americans have died due to legal drugs but the industry does not have the same stigma as the illicit industry and we allow some drugs on the market that are a danger to society. It's time to have an honest discussion about our drug problem. Some of our most talented have used drugs. Just as many of our talented live happy completely sober lives. There's any number of circumstances that have dictated each, so end the end, it's about CHOICE. As Americans, it is our duty to not ingringe upon others rights when no crime has been committed.
Upon infringing upon our Constitutional Rights, it also has created a culture of violence whenever it's occurred. It happened when we criminalized alcohol in the 30's. Italian and Irish gangs ran the streets of "gangster city" and we clocked some of our most violent years. Prohibition was repealed and our murder rates dropped nation wide. They never again increased drastically until other drugs started to become criminalized in this country. Americans have continued to use, and ENTIRE COUNTRIES are at war over our DRUG MARKET.
I believe targeting criminals or dangers to the public, rather than users, would help save lives in law enforcement. If we know that we can declare drugs (just as guns) it shouldn't be an issue if our judges and officers use discretion. The ONLY reason an AMERICAN citizen should be stopped on the roads should be for traffic violations. Racial profiling should be outlawed and road blocks should only be used to apprehend violent or dangerous criminals. All other traffic is allowed through. If you assault or harm a police officer, harsh penalties. I do not believe the public will accept assaults on police officers if they are not infringing upon citizen's rights and being respectful.
The hard addicts should receive treatment rather than a prison facility. It would be similar to prison, but with all activities based on rehab. It would have a much higher number of inmates just wanting to live peaceful lives and so there would be a much lower risk of violence. The private rehab market would remain to those who wanted to pay for their treatment. They would be mandatory (would result in job loss in many cases, so not a light offense). Other users, who's offense resulted from the use of a drug, who are not deemed addicted or a threat, would just go through the justice system like everyone else. Those deemed hard addicts, would be forced into treatment.The entire industry would create jobs for doctors and social workers rather than wardens. Our goal as a country would be to reduce our "drug" problem rather than profit from it.
Would you vote for this initiative??
I voted yes, but only as long as the confiscation of assets of a person is stopped without being convicted of a crime. no more prosecuting the property for confiscation of said property either.
also drawn down the feds and the police as they will no longer be needed.
I voted yes, but only as long as the confiscation of assets of a person is stopped without being convicted of a crime. no more prosecuting the property for confiscation of said property either.
also drawn down the feds and the police as they will no longer be needed.
I'd be down with those proposals.
Especially decreasing our police force. I don't believe in a revenue driven police force which it seems like we have now.
A a few countries are involved in the drug war where the drugs are destined to the United States (and Europe). But a number of countries have their own internal drug problems and drug wars that have to do with their domestic market and not the USofA. Brazil is the second largest consumer of cocaine behind the USofA and it's drug traffickers war with the police are selling Brazilians and has nothing to do with the American market.
There are many countries involved in the drug trade, and legalizing it here would only increase the spiral of death in the countries which produce the drugs.
There are many countries involved in the drug trade, and legalizing it here would only increase the spiral of death in the countries which produce the drugs.
really? there already has been a few countries that completely decriminalized drugs and saw the drug problem go away for the most part. drug use down, and addicts down as well. plus the crime associated with drugs is also way down too.
really? there already has been a few countries that completely decriminalized drugs and saw the drug problem go away for the most part. drug use down, and addicts down as well. plus the crime associated with drugs is also way down too.
People use Portugal as an example of such place, but the truth is that drug use and fatalities from ODs has increased in those places. How does that translate to the "problem going away"? Cocaine use in Portugal doubled since decriminalization. Success? No, ignoring the problem is not an answer. The drug use in Portugal dropped IN ONE AGE group, and that is being advertized as a success in the world media, and you are buying it. All other age groups saw an increase, but no one talks about that. You've been had. The MSM got you.
People use Portugal as an example of such place, but the truth is that drug use and fatalities from ODs has increased in those places. How does that translate to the "problem going away"? Cocaine use in Portugal doubled since decriminalization. Success? No, ignoring the problem is not an answer. The drug use in Portugal dropped IN ONE AGE group, and that is being advertized as a success in the world media, and you are buying it. All other age groups saw an increase, but no one talks about that. You've been had. The MSM got you.
Well heroin OD's have increased in Wisconsin over the last few years and heroin is illegal in Wisconsin but it's now surpassing cocaine deaths I think. And alcohol prohibition is over and plenty of deaths related alcoholism occur.
It also depends on how many OD's Portugal have. If they had 15 when it drugs were criminalized and it has risen to 20 since decriminalization, it wouldn't be the same as 1 million OD deaths in Portugal post decriminalization.
The Portuguese seem to think it's reasonable to keep their drug laws the way they are. I imagine if decriminalization was clearly a catastrophe in their country the Portuguese would be going back to criminalize drugs again.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
