1-4,
Let's start with the points we agree on:
- I hate and fear the entire drug culture. The force and deadly force used by
those involved hurt innocent people as well as those directly involved with
drugs.
- Some drugs apparently have proper medical purposes. I leave that portion
of the subject to those qualified to discuss it - with one exception.
Locally, many terminal cancer patients choose to die at home where hospice
can ensure appropriate pain medication is available and used. In many
nearby hospitals, *effective* pain medication is withheld from patients
expected to die within a month because the drug is "habit forming".
(Further proof of our good intentions being both cruel and stupid!)
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I do not advocate total and unhampered access to and use of (currently)
illegal drugs. Please don’t think I want drug vendors selling their wares
outside schools during recess!
Comparing alcohol to drugs is much more accurate than most people
realize. Although I do not have personal experience with illegal drugs
(other than protecting my Paramedic) I do know that purity and
concentrations vary. That causes many deaths which could be avoided by
implementing standards both for the drugs, their proper labeling, and the
understanding of the user.
Legalizing drugs would lower the price. That would help drive the illegal
vendors out of business reducing the violence in the production, distribution
and sales of those products.
Lowering the price and ensuring consistent quality control might increase
demand. I understand illegal drugs can be more habit-forming for a greater
percentage of people than is alcohol. Here is where regulation can have an
effect.
Note that severe penalties deter (but do not eliminate) drunk driving, public
alcohol consumption, consequential disorderly conduct, etc. The same would
be true for drugs.
But if we legalize the drugs, we can better determine who is using. By
controlling the drugs we can prevent public consumption and enact severe
penalties for “behavior” rather than possession. (This would eliminate many
Fourth Amendment problems.)
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Some people say Prohibition created the Mafia organizations in America.
Maybe. But we all must agree that organized crime grew faster and quicker
due to Prohibition. I truly believe that also is true of the drug cartels.
Our current War on Drugs is a disaster. In spite of the tons of crap we find
and destroy, even the most optimistic Coast Guard, Navy, and Border Patrol
estimates indicate we are catching (stopping) less than 20% of all drugs
shipped to our country.
Drugs exist. They are being used - BIG time! We are losing the War On
Drugs, creating a militarized police force stronger than most third-world
militaries, destroying our Rights in the vain hope that “giving up” something
will solve drug use, and (rarely but needlessly) being killed by mistake by
those who are sworn to protect us.
I don’t know if things would be better if we change.
I only know that to make things better, we MUST change.
I’m open to better suggestions - I really am! Convince me.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited December 20, 1999).]