Are drugs REALLY a problem?
Discussion
Indeed. Legal highs are only popular as they're both cheap, and mummy and daddy probably think they're OK if it's legal.
Like my grandparents, who upon discovering I'd smoked weed, considered it a tiny step away from overdosing with a needle in my arm. Yet my grandad nearly died from sclerosis of the liver...
I believe every country which has legalised commonly illegal drugs has seen a reduction in use.
Not to mention the incredible potential of hemp for food and fibre if it wasn't so difficult to grow due to its relationship with cannabis.
During the Reagan administration, more was spent on the war on drugs than education. That's fking criminal.
Like my grandparents, who upon discovering I'd smoked weed, considered it a tiny step away from overdosing with a needle in my arm. Yet my grandad nearly died from sclerosis of the liver...
I believe every country which has legalised commonly illegal drugs has seen a reduction in use.
Not to mention the incredible potential of hemp for food and fibre if it wasn't so difficult to grow due to its relationship with cannabis.
During the Reagan administration, more was spent on the war on drugs than education. That's fking criminal.
Drugs are a piece of cake to get hold of if you wanted to. I don't see a problem with recreational use if that's what someone wants to do.
The problem is smack heads and the like shop lifting, breaking into houses etc to fund there addiction leaving needles around that kids could pick up. That's when drugs become a problem and rightly so. Why the feck anyone would want to take something like that in the first place is beyond me.
The problem is smack heads and the like shop lifting, breaking into houses etc to fund there addiction leaving needles around that kids could pick up. That's when drugs become a problem and rightly so. Why the feck anyone would want to take something like that in the first place is beyond me.
I've seen a lot of otherwise very nice people screwed up by drugs, to the extent that no-one wants anything to do with them anymore. I've seen different people lose a job, develop a mental illness and destroy their education and two people almost die.
A lot of people seem to think they can handle it, in my experience the ones who believe this most can handle it the least. I decided they aren't for me a long time ago.
A lot of people seem to think they can handle it, in my experience the ones who believe this most can handle it the least. I decided they aren't for me a long time ago.
There always seems to be a distinction between booze and drugs.
Apparently the state of town centres of a weekend night is fine so long as millions in tax comes in.
Government just doesn't want to send out any message of tolerance based on fact so we remain with the current situation.
Apparently the state of town centres of a weekend night is fine so long as millions in tax comes in.
Government just doesn't want to send out any message of tolerance based on fact so we remain with the current situation.
I'd be in favour of the legalisation of cannabis for personal use and the facility to buy it from 'official' sources, thereby avoiding the need to fund the criminal elements of the supply chain.
I have never believed that the odd smoke leads inexorably to the path of heroin and misery, however it is in dealers' interests to cross- and up-sell. Just like any business.
The only snag is that I can envisage cannabis from official sources being taxed so punitively that it would be cheaper to buy it on the black market.
Problem most definitely *not* solved.
I have never believed that the odd smoke leads inexorably to the path of heroin and misery, however it is in dealers' interests to cross- and up-sell. Just like any business.
The only snag is that I can envisage cannabis from official sources being taxed so punitively that it would be cheaper to buy it on the black market.
Problem most definitely *not* solved.
Purity14 said:
Depends where you live, I live in a city centre.
I get asked every day if i want to buy some drugs, just from walking from my car to my apartment.
They approach you and ask you if you need anything, if you say no, then they say "okay" if you ask "like what?" or "what do you mean?".
Lucky bd, when I were young you'd spend hours waiting for your "mate Dave" to turn up then when he did show 3 hours late you'd have to pretend to be grateful! I get asked every day if i want to buy some drugs, just from walking from my car to my apartment.
They approach you and ask you if you need anything, if you say no, then they say "okay" if you ask "like what?" or "what do you mean?".
loafer123 said:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-drTpJN2KNQ
Personally, although I don't take them, I think drugs should be legalised to reduce crime and help people who become addicted get help.
Pretty much my position on it, though I'd add that full blown addicts should get prescribed their fix provided its taken in a designated place.Personally, although I don't take them, I think drugs should be legalised to reduce crime and help people who become addicted get help.
Mobile Chicane said:
The only snag is that I can envisage cannabis from official sources being taxed so punitively that it would be cheaper to buy it on the black market.
Problem most definitely *not* solved.
If the price was fixed at today's prices, we'd still be out of the financial hole we're patently in far far far quicker. Colorado state is generating HUGE income from medicinal and recreational cannabis (they're taxed at different rates, incidentally) and they've far far less people than the UK.Problem most definitely *not* solved.
I'm amused by the notion that the law is a deterrent. It's not. There hasn't ever been a single person in history that's been involved in a conversation thats goes
"Mate, fancy a go on this?"
"Yeah, ok"
"No, actually, can't it's illegal"
It simply doesn't happen.
In 2001 Portugal decriminalised ALL drugs. Even the ones over the notional 'thick black line'. Since then by EVERY single metric Portugal has improved for everyone. Crime is down, teenage pregnancy is down, school results are up, university entrance is up, taxes are up.
Despite this I don't think anything will change immediately, it will eventually though as now no one really gives a fk. The only people broadly opposed are the older generation and we'll move forward legislatively because eventually, they'll die.
Plotloss said:
Mobile Chicane said:
The only snag is that I can envisage cannabis from official sources being taxed so punitively that it would be cheaper to buy it on the black market.
Problem most definitely *not* solved.
If the price was fixed at today's prices, we'd still be out of the financial hole we're patently in far far far quicker. Colorado state is generating HUGE income from medicinal and recreational cannabis (they're taxed at different rates, incidentally) and they've far far less people than the UK.Problem most definitely *not* solved.
I'm amused by the notion that the law is a deterrent. It's not. There hasn't ever been a single person in history that's been involved in a conversation thats goes
"Mate, fancy a go on this?"
"Yeah, ok"
"No, actually, can't it's illegal"
It simply doesn't happen.
In 2001 Portugal decriminalised ALL drugs. Even the ones over the notional 'thick black line'. Since then by EVERY single metric Portugal has improved for everyone. Crime is down, teenage pregnancy is down, school results are up, university entrance is up, taxes are up.
Despite this I don't think anything will change immediately, it will eventually though as now no one really gives a fk. The only people broadly opposed are the older generation and we'll move forward legislatively because eventually, they'll die.
This is the UK Gubberment we're talking about here. They need money.
After all, they've just admitted that the http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-06-26/cost-of-k... (not withstanding the cost [undisclosed] of security).
Why not open such places for the Public to see? After all, we're all paying for it.
Off with their heads I say. Useless parasites.
Plotloss said:
In 2001 Portugal decriminalised ALL drugs. Even the ones over the notional 'thick black line'. Since then by EVERY single metric Portugal has improved for everyone. Crime is down, .
Legalise something and crime goes down - you don't really have to be a genius to work that out. Why don't we legalise absolutely everything - we'd wipe out crime completely overnight.If drugs were legalized, even if they were taxed, they would be cheap.
Pot would cost the same as brocolli.
Chemical drugs would cost the same as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Crime related to affording drugs would drop.
Criminal income would drop.
Gang income and power would drop.
Terrorist income would drop.
Drug Curious youngsters could get drugs from trusted sources, shops and chemists, rather than having to associate with criminals.
Drugs could be bought and taken in safe places, like pubs and clubs provide safe places for alcohol consumption.
Drug addiction would be treated as a medical problem not a legal one.
Over the years I've changed my mind many times about legalising drugs.
I'm now in the legalise them camp.
Let people choose.
And stop wasting money trying to stop people taking them that could be better spent elsewhere.
We look back at alcohol prohibition in the US and laugh at the stupid idea; yet we're doing the sane with drugs.
Pot would cost the same as brocolli.
Chemical drugs would cost the same as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Crime related to affording drugs would drop.
Criminal income would drop.
Gang income and power would drop.
Terrorist income would drop.
Drug Curious youngsters could get drugs from trusted sources, shops and chemists, rather than having to associate with criminals.
Drugs could be bought and taken in safe places, like pubs and clubs provide safe places for alcohol consumption.
Drug addiction would be treated as a medical problem not a legal one.
Over the years I've changed my mind many times about legalising drugs.
I'm now in the legalise them camp.
Let people choose.
And stop wasting money trying to stop people taking them that could be better spent elsewhere.
We look back at alcohol prohibition in the US and laugh at the stupid idea; yet we're doing the sane with drugs.
It's the crimes which come as a result of the creation and supply of drugs which are the problem as well i.e. assault, murder, weapons related charges etc.
To the original question though, yes, drugs are still a REAL problem to society, especially within parts of society that are less privileged.
To the original question though, yes, drugs are still a REAL problem to society, especially within parts of society that are less privileged.
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