Aren't they stealing from people now, while we waste billions, to support their habits?

Is asking questions considered "knocking"?

Before I agree that we encourage people to use drugs by legalizing it and making it available to all, I think some statistics or evidence that it will work should be provided.

 

I don't think what we are doing right now is working. But I don't see how legalizing it will solve all problems.

 

How do you equate legalizing it to "encouraging use"?

 

I don't think anyone has said it will solve all problems, but it will stop the waste of billions of dollars that accomplishes absolutely nothing.

How do you suggest we get them to stop stealing from others to support their habit? Or will legalizing it also mean we just give it to them for free?

 

And by stealing I mean small thefts from cars, burglaries from houses and robberies from people.

I didn't plan to legalize theft and don't have an answer on how to fix that. BUT, I do believe a lot of the crime/problems associated with drugs can be greatly reduced by legalization which I have pointed out several times...

Is asking questions considered "knocking"?

Before I agree that we encourage people to use drugs by legalizing it and making it available to all, I think some statistics or evidence that it will work should be provided.

 

I don't think what we are doing right now is working. But I don't see how legalizing it will solve all problems.

It won't solve all the problems. I've tried to be pretty clear on that. There is no magic bullet to cure drug abuse.

 

What it will do is not throw away money to a War that is only creating more problems instead of solving any.

My plan focuses on getting rid of articles like this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/us/23border.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

You are NOT going to get rid of drug abuse. But you CAN get rid of violence associated with illegal-trafficking among many other things legalization will help.

My plan focuses on getting rid of articles like this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/us/23border.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

You are NOT going to get rid of drug abuse. But you CAN get rid of violence associated with illegal-trafficking among many other things legalization will help.

 

I would also think legalizing it would have a positive impact on gang-related activity.

[video=youtube_share;tZm1NZ5dH-E]http://youtu.be/tZm1NZ5dH-E

Irresponsible drug use is the problem. I'm not sure where I said it wasn't. Irresponsible alcoholics are a problem too. Gluttonous individuals eating themselves to death on Big Macs are also a problem. People smoking themselves to death is a problem.

 

My point is, irresponsibly using anything can be a problem. Making it illegal only adds to the problem, it's not solving it. I'd rather save money being wasted and used ineffectively and at least reduce unnecessary dangers due to unknown dosages, untrained chemists, dangerous cutting agents, the risks associated with obtaining drugs on the black-market, etc. That isn't even getting into the countless number of lives taken due to cartel activity associated with the trafficking of illegal drugs.

 

There is also the opportunity to use money that is either a) saved or b) generated from drug taxes to invest in treatment, education, or countless number of other uses...

 

So...what exactly IS responsible drug use? For an intravenous heroin user, would that be no more than 2 injections a day? No more than 5 hits off a crack pipe should that be the drug of choice? I mean really, what is it?

 

I hate (illicit) drugs...with a passion. They do nothing to further the cause of humanity, and do the exact opposite as a matter of fact, they have ruined thousands of lives and the problem continues to grow. I see no way in heck that legalizing them helps. As a matter of fact I think by making them legal, as time goes by they will be seen as socially "acceptable" by many, and as millions used to smoke cigarettes, taking a hit off a crack pipe just might become the new "cigarette" of the late 21st century. In no way is that a good thing.

 

My solution? Well, for starters we have to physically secure our borders, especially the one to our south to begin with. Much of the really bad stuff comes in from that way. Next, we create DEA patrols that will patrol the major interstates/thoroughfares between the larger drug riddled cities where the drugs are transported. Third, automatic death penalty sentences for anyone caught/convicted transporting/distributing "large" amounts of drugs..."large" would have to be defined. 4th...we know who the drug cartels are and who the big wigs in them are. We make it known to them that if they don't stop sending their stuff here, then we will find you and we will kill you...and we don't care where you are. Hey, if it's a "war on drugs", then quit pulling the punches and get tough, you don't win wars by taking it easy on your opponents...you smash them into submission. We also go after their money accounts in any way that we can and drain them dry if/when possible. We take any money seized from drug activity, selling of property, etc. and create "drug abuse camps". Instead of sending drug abusers who may do petty crimes to regular jail/prison, we send them all to these "camps" that will be established that are "quasi" min security jails with an emphasis on rehabilitation and life/job skills with educational potential as well.

 

I think this is a good start. I'm sure I can come up with more if given time.

How do you equate legalizing it to "encouraging use"?

 

I don't think anyone has said it will solve all problems, but it will stop the waste of billions of dollars that accomplishes absolutely nothing.

 

You don't think it will be advertised and sold for profit? What else would that be? We're certainly not encouraging people to use it now.

 

 

Edit. I will add that I'm not totally against legalizing drugs I'm just interested in learning more about what would work.

I'll echo the sentiments of an earlier poster....The government should not have a say in what a person puts in their own body.

 

Instead of wasting billions of dollars on something that has no chance of working, why don't we make a huge profit off it, and bolster the economy? I'm sorry, but I've yet to hear a good reason to not legalize them.

You don't think it will be advertised and sold for profit? What else would that be? We're certainly not encouraging people to use it now.

 

 

Edit. I will add that I'm not totally against legalizing drugs I'm just interested in learning more about what would work.

How/where it's advertised could be regulated. But yes, if legalized completely then people would most certainly sell for a profit.

So...what exactly IS responsible drug use? For an intravenous heroin user, would that be no more than 2 injections a day? No more than 5 hits off a crack pipe should that be the drug of choice? I mean really, what is it?

Responsible drug use to me is using the drug and causing no harm nor infringement on anyone but yourself.

So...what exactly IS responsible drug use? For an intravenous heroin user, would that be no more than 2 injections a day? No more than 5 hits off a crack pipe should that be the drug of choice? I mean really, what is it?

 

I hate (illicit) drugs...with a passion. They do nothing to further the cause of humanity, and do the exact opposite as a matter of fact, they have ruined thousands of lives and the problem continues to grow. I see no way in heck that legalizing them helps. As a matter of fact I think by making them legal, as time goes by they will be seen as socially "acceptable" by many, and as millions used to smoke cigarettes, taking a hit off a crack pipe just might become the new "cigarette" of the late 21st century. In no way is that a good thing.

 

My solution? Well, for starters we have to physically secure our borders, especially the one to our south to begin with. Much of the really bad stuff comes in from that way. Next, we create DEA patrols that will patrol the major interstates/thoroughfares between the larger drug riddled cities where the drugs are transported. Third, automatic death penalty sentences for anyone caught/convicted transporting/distributing "large" amounts of drugs..."large" would have to be defined. 4th...we know who the drug cartels are and who the big wigs in them are. We make it known to them that if they don't stop sending their stuff here, then we will find you and we will kill you...and we don't care where you are. Hey, if it's a "war on drugs", then quit pulling the punches and get tough, you don't win wars by taking it easy on your opponents...you smash them into submission. We also go after their money accounts in any way that we can and drain them dry if/when possible. We take any money seized from drug activity, selling of property, etc. and create "drug abuse camps". Instead of sending drug abusers who may do petty crimes to regular jail/prison, we send them all to these "camps" that will be established that are "quasi" min security jails with an emphasis on rehabilitation and life/job skills with educational potential as well.

 

I think this is a good start. I'm sure I can come up with more if given time.

Crack is easily gotten right now. Do you think legality is the only thing keeping 19% of the country from doing it?

Third, automatic death penalty sentences for anyone caught/convicted transporting/distributing "large" amounts of drugs..."large" would have to be defined.

I'm very curious on this one. Could you "ballpark" large please?

So...for all of you knocking the legalize it route. What's your solution?

I'll readily admit I don't have a solution. But I'm 100% convinced legalization isn't an alternative I'd choose. Because it's legal doesn't mean it would inherently be better or less likely to be overdosed. I also understand the argument that would allow adults the liberty to do what they please to themselves. However, those who would indulge are far more likely to harm others collaterally wouldn't you agree? It's a pipedream (no pun intended) to think that users will lock themselves at home and partake and not get behind the wheel or worse. Am I way off base here? Some laws are for the general protection of the public. Dr. Kevorkian was, in his opinion and others, doing a public service. However, laws are similarly in place to protect our population.