One stone, several birds
Discussion
Here's a nice practical libertarian idea to solve, or at least ameliorate, a whole bunch of problems in one fell swoop. 
Legalise all Drugs.
The "War on Drugs" has failed, just like every prohibition scheme before, succeeding only in driving vast sums of money into organised crime and the symbiotic police drug squads which depend on it.
The two most harmful recreational drugs[1] are managed as sources of considerable revenue and employment rather than vast expenses to the public purse and there is no good reason not to manage all other recreational drugs in the same way.
Provided we make the cost of doing business legitimately less than the overheads associated with the black market the trade will go straight.
In the absence of a black market drug trade all the ex drug squad police can do something useful like catching burglars.
If on legalisation we struck down all drug possession and dealing convictions we'd free up a lot of jail space and reintroduce many people with an entrepreneurial streak to regular society.
I see nothing but wins, why don't we do it?
Legalise all Drugs.
The "War on Drugs" has failed, just like every prohibition scheme before, succeeding only in driving vast sums of money into organised crime and the symbiotic police drug squads which depend on it.
The two most harmful recreational drugs[1] are managed as sources of considerable revenue and employment rather than vast expenses to the public purse and there is no good reason not to manage all other recreational drugs in the same way.
Provided we make the cost of doing business legitimately less than the overheads associated with the black market the trade will go straight.
In the absence of a black market drug trade all the ex drug squad police can do something useful like catching burglars.
If on legalisation we struck down all drug possession and dealing convictions we'd free up a lot of jail space and reintroduce many people with an entrepreneurial streak to regular society.
I see nothing but wins, why don't we do it?
[1] if you discount Granulated Sugar
imbecile said:
We will, one day. If you talk to politicans privately then the great majority are in favour of it... the real difficulty is getting it past the press. I cannot see that being a great difficulty either once the current under 30s make up the voting population.
Trouble is, mate, we all thought that 25 years ago and it didn't make a scrap of difference then!
fluffnik said:
In the absence of a black market drug trade all the ex drug squad police can do something useful like catching burglars.
There would be very few of these to catch!
Burglary is an acquisitive crime. Most burglary incidents turn goods readily into cash for drugs on a quick turnover.
flufnik said:
I see nothing but wins, why don't we do it?
[1] if you discount Granulated Sugar
Because the Govt will never sponsor this idea. Illegal drugs must be pursued to stamp them out!
It would also be a nice money spinner due to tax, both on sales and on production. You also get less burden on the NHS; ok... jacking up on massive quantities of opiates and another stuff isn't wonderful; but by regulating it and making the stuff pharma grade you eliminate powered glass and other 'nice' things.
You'll still get drug related crime same as alcohol related isn't going to go away but it would probably improve the current situation.
You'll still get drug related crime same as alcohol related isn't going to go away but it would probably improve the current situation.
Agree completely with the OP, but I will be surprised if it ever happens. For a start the UK is too busy bending over to the tune of US policy on most issues.
I think the best chance you have is cannabis becoming 'decriminalised' or 'on prescription'.
In Holland while every town has it's coffee shop (or in the case of Amsterdam tons of them!) it's still technically an illegal drug there. Ironically, it is legal to posess and manufacture in some US states if 'prescribed for medical use'
I think the best chance you have is cannabis becoming 'decriminalised' or 'on prescription'.
In Holland while every town has it's coffee shop (or in the case of Amsterdam tons of them!) it's still technically an illegal drug there. Ironically, it is legal to posess and manufacture in some US states if 'prescribed for medical use'
ThePassenger said:
It would also be a nice money spinner due to tax, both on sales and on production. You also get less burden on the NHS; ok...
You would still get a BURDEN on the NHS same as high boozing create a massive burden on the NHS.
Holland und Switzerland und couple of German Fed States have "needle parks" whereby these people can get their fixes und use in safety. It has NOT reduced drug related crime ... petty theft.. mugging .. burglary as more craves want more craves .. und the thugs will still supply
(Und by the way.. my parents und family still live over there .. und you have to live with it - which ist a lot different than some sandal wearing hippy spoutin' on about how wonderful life ist over there because of these "needle parks" (which sound all nice und cosys.. like a "recreation theme park" .// which ist in way .. but not as much fun as these people do not feel anything other than doped up und dependent on some substance to extent it all they think about
) Und the other problem .. Brits are per the Noel Coward song.. "Mad Dogs und Englishmen" .. do not know when to know when they had enough sun, booze or even drugs either.
Und the only speedy matters of merit require a clear und unfuddled mind. I do not want to share the roads with some one who ist feeling a different sort of speed than the one which matter on the roads out there
The Passenger said:
jacking up on massive quantities of opiates and another stuff isn't wonderful; but by regulating it and making the stuff pharma grade you eliminate powered glass and other 'nice' things.
Yes .. but these idiots are talking of free prescriptions .. when they will not pay a couple of quid to help combat Alzheimers und others trusts have a lottery over various remedies too.
By the way.. we use opiates within sedatives/anaesthetics und so on. Ist not a bottomless pit .. und perhaps if only available of prescription which they would have to PAY for to stop mad use.. then I cannot see many GPs agreeing to supply because "the kids want to try it."
Thus like in Switzerland und Holland .. it stay on black market controlled by drug dealers.
.. but if legalised.. how would you stop the dealers und the pushers.. und these kids would still be committing crimes to fund their habits und addiction just the same. so it would not The Passenger said:
You'll still get drug related crime same as alcohol related isn't going to go away but it would probably improve the current situation.
improve things on that basis
(I have a thing about drugs.. I got myself a little too dependent on pain killers after that incident und it was not easy to wean myself off these .. even though I knew exactly what effect it was having on the temple which house my brains!
At one time in the UK, heroin addicts could register as such with doctors and be prescribed clean heroin. There were a fair number of addicts whose habits went unnoticed and who held down proper jobs (and didn't die young). The number of heroin addicts was very low compared to places which proscribed its use absolutely like the US and there was little heroin related crime. Then a decision was made (under pressure from the US) to halt this practice and go down the methadone "weaning" route. The rest is history...
There is no doubt that banning drugs creates an associated crime industry - the US proved that with prohibition of alcohol. The problem is weighing up the balance between the social financial and health costs of legalising use against that of its prohibition. It is difficult to do and is an emotive issue.
There is no doubt that banning drugs creates an associated crime industry - the US proved that with prohibition of alcohol. The problem is weighing up the balance between the social financial and health costs of legalising use against that of its prohibition. It is difficult to do and is an emotive issue.
WildCat said:
ThePassenger said:
It would also be a nice money spinner due to tax, both on sales and on production. You also get less burden on the NHS; ok...
You would still get a BURDEN on the NHS same as high boozing create a massive burden on the NHS.
Holland und Switzerland und couple of German Fed States have "needle parks" whereby these people can get their fixes und use in safety. It has NOT reduced drug related crime ... petty theft.. mugging .. burglary as more craves want more craves .. und the thugs will still supply
(Und by the way.. my parents und family still live over there .. und you have to live with it - which ist a lot different than some sandal wearing hippy spoutin' on about how wonderful life ist over there because of these "needle parks" (which sound all nice und cosys.. like a "recreation theme park" .// which ist in way .. but not as much fun as these people do not feel anything other than doped up und dependent on some substance to extent it all they think about
) Und the other problem .. Brits are per the Noel Coward song.. "Mad Dogs und Englishmen" .. do not know when to know when they had enough sun, booze or even drugs either.
Und the only speedy matters of merit require a clear und unfuddled mind. I do not want to share the roads with some one who ist feeling a different sort of speed than the one which matter on the roads out there
The Passenger said:
jacking up on massive quantities of opiates and another stuff isn't wonderful; but by regulating it and making the stuff pharma grade you eliminate powered glass and other 'nice' things.
Yes .. but these idiots are talking of free prescriptions .. when they will not pay a couple of quid to help combat Alzheimers und others trusts have a lottery over various remedies too.
By the way.. we use opiates within sedatives/anaesthetics und so on. Ist not a bottomless pit .. und perhaps if only available of prescription which they would have to PAY for to stop mad use.. then I cannot see many GPs agreeing to supply because "the kids want to try it."
Thus like in Switzerland und Holland .. it stay on black market controlled by drug dealers.
.. but if legalised.. how would you stop the dealers und the pushers.. und these kids would still be committing crimes to fund their habits und addiction just the same. so it would not The Passenger said:
You'll still get drug related crime same as alcohol related isn't going to go away but it would probably improve the current situation.
improve things on that basis
(I have a thing about drugs.. I got myself a little too dependent on pain killers after that incident und it was not easy to wean myself off these .. even though I knew exactly what effect it was having on the temple which house my brains!
You are missing the point. The needle parks provided needles and a 'non prosecution zone'. They never legalised the SUPPLY of drugs. Opium derivatives and most other illegal recreational drugs cost pennies to produce. Unlike alcohol, heroin users are not interested in fighting or driving cars. In any event the same rules would apply to drug users as it does to drinkers. I would suggest that drug consumption would significantly tail off if legalised, because its very illegality makes it attractive to some youngsters.
kenp said:
WildCat said:
ThePassenger said:
It would also be a nice money spinner due to tax, both on sales and on production. You also get less burden on the NHS; ok...
You would still get a BURDEN on the NHS same as high boozing create a massive burden on the NHS.
Holland und Switzerland und couple of German Fed States have "needle parks" whereby these people can get their fixes und use in safety. It has NOT reduced drug related crime ... petty theft.. mugging .. burglary as more craves want more craves .. und the thugs will still supply
(Und by the way.. my parents und family still live over there .. und you have to live with it - which ist a lot different than some sandal wearing hippy spoutin' on about how wonderful life ist over there because of these "needle parks" (which sound all nice und cosys.. like a "recreation theme park" .// which ist in way .. but not as much fun as these people do not feel anything other than doped up und dependent on some substance to extent it all they think about
) Und the other problem .. Brits are per the Noel Coward song.. "Mad Dogs und Englishmen" .. do not know when to know when they had enough sun, booze or even drugs either.
Und the only speedy matters of merit require a clear und unfuddled mind. I do not want to share the roads with some one who ist feeling a different sort of speed than the one which matter on the roads out there
The Passenger said:
jacking up on massive quantities of opiates and another stuff isn't wonderful; but by regulating it and making the stuff pharma grade you eliminate powered glass and other 'nice' things.
Yes .. but these idiots are talking of free prescriptions .. when they will not pay a couple of quid to help combat Alzheimers und others trusts have a lottery over various remedies too.
By the way.. we use opiates within sedatives/anaesthetics und so on. Ist not a bottomless pit .. und perhaps if only available of prescription which they would have to PAY for to stop mad use.. then I cannot see many GPs agreeing to supply because "the kids want to try it."
Thus like in Switzerland und Holland .. it stay on black market controlled by drug dealers.
.. but if legalised.. how would you stop the dealers und the pushers.. und these kids would still be committing crimes to fund their habits und addiction just the same. so it would not The Passenger said:
You'll still get drug related crime same as alcohol related isn't going to go away but it would probably improve the current situation.
improve things on that basis
(I have a thing about drugs.. I got myself a little too dependent on pain killers after that incident und it was not easy to wean myself off these .. even though I knew exactly what effect it was having on the temple which house my brains!
You are missing the point. The needle parks provided needles and a 'non prosecution zone'. They never legalised the SUPPLY of drugs.
Switzerland dished out free prescriptions at first. We then realised what it was actually costing und all decisions in our country like this are usually voted by referendum. Swiss folk voted in favour of these parks to start with. We had a huge crime problem in Zurich.. und Lausanne where many of these parks are located. Swiss "legalised" via prescription of pure heroin und methadone to those who wanted whatever. We then found that we did not get just those registered addicts.. people were just coming from outside the country to get a free fix. These parks are not as the Liverpool one which merely supplied needles or current NHS policy to supply clean needles anyway. (Mad Doc does have a distribution within his field as he try to fight HIV caused by dirty und shared needles)
But now .. Swiss voted kantonal referenda (which usually get incorporated in Constitution) in that these addicts should have to pay for their drugs on prescription ...und this ist the case there now. Switzerland ist surprisingly liberal.. more so than Holland. It does not have those cafes though.
But this has not stopped the crime either. Once they have had all they are entitled to on prescription.. they go to get it on the street.. return to the needle parks to use.. und then doctors end up having to fight to save lives .. but then they sometimes OD on the stuff prescribed too.
kenp said:
Opium derivatives and most other illegal recreational drugs cost pennies to produce.
Und pennies make pounds .. when you are talking of the numbers who would be using or want to use this stuff.. if NHS or taxpayer were to provide them.
kenp said:
Unlike alcohol, heroin users are not interested in fighting or driving cars. In any event the same rules would apply to drug users as it does to drinkers. I would suggest that drug consumption would significantly tail off if legalised, because its very illegality makes it attractive to some youngsters.
You ever come across these people in state of craving for their next fix?
The downgrading of cannabis has had the effect of making this drug "attractive as now perceived as not dangerous" - except that what ist on sale ist not the same as smoked by certain famous names of the past und present - und certainly not as puffed by the Rastas
Alcohol ist still legal as are tobacco cigarettes ,.. und these are still very attractive to youngsters... because of the perceived "pleasures". Und fact that if it "legal" - then not very "dangerous" then
Drug dependency ist no way to live a life. A fine wine or beer or finest spirit drink .. OK .. but these are very safe if drunk in moderation .. und a teeny amount with food does not cause addiction... whereas a small amount of heroin each day..lead to tolerance.. dependency und then raging addiction. I know what those strong pain killers did to me once..
It was not pleasant experience to wean myself off them either... am "feline with claws" after all Edited by WildCat on Sunday 8th April 12:25
Prof Beard said:
At one time in the UK, heroin addicts could register as such with doctors and be prescribed clean heroin. There were a fair number of addicts whose habits went unnoticed and who held down proper jobs (and didn't die young). The number of heroin addicts was very low compared to places which proscribed its use absolutely like the US and there was little heroin related crime. Then a decision was made (under pressure from the US) to halt this practice and go down the methadone "weaning" route. The rest is history...
But they would still have had to have paid for the prescription. Liberal looonies want this to be supplied for free on an already strapped for cash NHS.
If on prescription only.. no GP in right mind would prescribe to little Johnny wanting to try it out. So little Johnny will end up going to the pusher .. und then register perhaps for his prescribed fix .. but still return to his dealer for the stuff which give him a real kick
or top up supplies Ist what happen in Zurich und Lausanne after all.
despite it being on a prescription to try to put the dealers out of business. Professor Beard said:
There is no doubt that banning drugs creates an associated crime industry - the US proved that with prohibition of alcohol. The problem is weighing up the balance between the social financial and health costs of legalising use against that of its prohibition. It is difficult to do and is an emotive issue.
We have booze on sale legally .. we even have the booze cruises for "own use".. but lot buy to sell on und not for own use und thus illegal
We either place on prescription .. or allow to be sold on "licenced to do so premises but at punitive tax".. which still allow the black markers und the dealers to push und undercut..und carry on regardless
Kids will still see the drugs as "glam und giving harmless pleasures" if legalised .. just as they do with drink und tobacco... with drink being OK so long as not binged on.. und treated as any other foodstuff in moderation und enjoyed properly - if this ist so.. it's ability to fuddle the brain for a while ist more limited .. und any squiffiness remain ephemeral und not long term on that basis. (Alcoholism ist very different .. und damage ist forever .. und why someone who fall off the wagon will re-trigger the addiction und craving even worse than before)
.. und tobacco being very much more serious in long term effect of overall well being
. Tobacco or rather the added nicotine to the product .. does cause craving und addiction - especially if the person decide to persevere after coughing up the first couple of trying to smoke .. und then starts to inhale deeply
. but where this differs .. ist in the actual very immediate effect on the brain und personality. The Class A drugs have an immediate - long term und lasting effect.. und can radically alter a personality...
They also quicker to become addicted to .. und no one person can say they can "control their habit" any more than the alcoholic can control his cravings. (Usually take longer for drinker to become alcoholic .. but with nightly binge drinking going on in the home.. we now have a worrying state of affairs in UK - but the difference ist that alcohol in moderation ist non-addictive whereas the craving for these drugs ist much more immediate) The reason the war on drugs has failed, is the same reason that the war on almost every other type of crime has failed, and that's sentencing policy in this country.
The police know who the drug dealers are in their area, and they're routinely caught.
However, decades of penal reform groups indoctrinating the public, politicians and anyone else who'll listen, into the idea that prison doesn't work, or is nothing more than a school for criminals, means we now have a government whos no 1 priority, in the area of criminal justice, is keeping people out of prison, or if they must go to prison keeping sentences as short as possible. At to this the obsession with rehabilitation, rather than punishing criminals in a manner that fits their crime, and it's not hard to see where it's gone wrong.
Drug dealing is a vile crime that blights entire communities, and brings misery, ill health and death to thousands of people every year, yet those who engage in it have little to fear from the authorities.
Maybe a way to solve it would be starting tommorow, anyone convicted of possesion with intent to supply controlled drugs, goes to prison for twenty years, no exceptions, no excuses, no parole, no early release. This would be a starting point and would go up on a sliding scale depending on the quantity and class of drug in your possesion.
People will say this is unfair as it will only net small time street dealers and not the main players, but once the small time dealers are caught, or realise the risks aren't worth it, then the only option for the main players will be to take to the streets themselves, which will leave them far more vulnerable.
Also anyone convicted of drug dealing has all their assets siezed, everything down to every last knife and fork in their cutlery drawer, and they don't get anything back until they can provide conclusive proof that it was not funded, or partly funded by their drug dealing activities.
This, IMO, is a far more effective solution than just rolling over and allowing those who have profited for years through the misery of others to continue doing so, except legally.
Having said all that, neither my suggestions or the OPs are ever likely to be implemented, and things will probably just roll along as they are for years to come.
The police know who the drug dealers are in their area, and they're routinely caught.
However, decades of penal reform groups indoctrinating the public, politicians and anyone else who'll listen, into the idea that prison doesn't work, or is nothing more than a school for criminals, means we now have a government whos no 1 priority, in the area of criminal justice, is keeping people out of prison, or if they must go to prison keeping sentences as short as possible. At to this the obsession with rehabilitation, rather than punishing criminals in a manner that fits their crime, and it's not hard to see where it's gone wrong.
Drug dealing is a vile crime that blights entire communities, and brings misery, ill health and death to thousands of people every year, yet those who engage in it have little to fear from the authorities.
Maybe a way to solve it would be starting tommorow, anyone convicted of possesion with intent to supply controlled drugs, goes to prison for twenty years, no exceptions, no excuses, no parole, no early release. This would be a starting point and would go up on a sliding scale depending on the quantity and class of drug in your possesion.
People will say this is unfair as it will only net small time street dealers and not the main players, but once the small time dealers are caught, or realise the risks aren't worth it, then the only option for the main players will be to take to the streets themselves, which will leave them far more vulnerable.
Also anyone convicted of drug dealing has all their assets siezed, everything down to every last knife and fork in their cutlery drawer, and they don't get anything back until they can provide conclusive proof that it was not funded, or partly funded by their drug dealing activities.
This, IMO, is a far more effective solution than just rolling over and allowing those who have profited for years through the misery of others to continue doing so, except legally.
Having said all that, neither my suggestions or the OPs are ever likely to be implemented, and things will probably just roll along as they are for years to come.
M5Dave said:
The reason the war on drugs has failed, is the same reason that the war on almost every other type of crime has failed, and that's sentencing policy in this country.
The police know who the drug dealers are in their area, and they're routinely caught.
However, decades of penal reform groups indoctrinating the public, politicians and anyone else who'll listen, into the idea that prison doesn't work, or is nothing more than a school for criminals, means we now have a government whos no 1 priority, in the area of criminal justice, is keeping people out of prison, or if they must go to prison keeping sentences as short as possible. At to this the obsession with rehabilitation, rather than punishing criminals in a manner that fits their crime, and it's not hard to see where it's gone wrong.
Drug dealing is a vile crime that blights entire communities, and brings misery, ill health and death to thousands of people every year, yet those who engage in it have little to fear from the authorities.
Maybe a way to solve it would be starting tommorow, anyone convicted of possesion with intent to supply controlled drugs, goes to prison for twenty years, no exceptions, no excuses, no parole, no early release. This would be a starting point and would go up on a sliding scale depending on the quantity and class of drug in your possesion.
People will say this is unfair as it will only net small time street dealers and not the main players, but once the small time dealers are caught, or realise the risks aren't worth it, then the only option for the main players will be to take to the streets themselves, which will leave them far more vulnerable.
Also anyone convicted of drug dealing has all their assets siezed, everything down to every last knife and fork in their cutlery drawer, and they don't get anything back until they can provide conclusive proof that it was not funded, or partly funded by their drug dealing activities.
This, IMO, is a far more effective solution than just rolling over and allowing those who have profited for years through the misery of others to continue doing so, except legally.
Having said all that, neither my suggestions or the OPs are ever likely to be implemented, and things will probably just roll along as they are for years to come.
The police know who the drug dealers are in their area, and they're routinely caught.
However, decades of penal reform groups indoctrinating the public, politicians and anyone else who'll listen, into the idea that prison doesn't work, or is nothing more than a school for criminals, means we now have a government whos no 1 priority, in the area of criminal justice, is keeping people out of prison, or if they must go to prison keeping sentences as short as possible. At to this the obsession with rehabilitation, rather than punishing criminals in a manner that fits their crime, and it's not hard to see where it's gone wrong.
Drug dealing is a vile crime that blights entire communities, and brings misery, ill health and death to thousands of people every year, yet those who engage in it have little to fear from the authorities.
Maybe a way to solve it would be starting tommorow, anyone convicted of possesion with intent to supply controlled drugs, goes to prison for twenty years, no exceptions, no excuses, no parole, no early release. This would be a starting point and would go up on a sliding scale depending on the quantity and class of drug in your possesion.
People will say this is unfair as it will only net small time street dealers and not the main players, but once the small time dealers are caught, or realise the risks aren't worth it, then the only option for the main players will be to take to the streets themselves, which will leave them far more vulnerable.
Also anyone convicted of drug dealing has all their assets siezed, everything down to every last knife and fork in their cutlery drawer, and they don't get anything back until they can provide conclusive proof that it was not funded, or partly funded by their drug dealing activities.
This, IMO, is a far more effective solution than just rolling over and allowing those who have profited for years through the misery of others to continue doing so, except legally.
Having said all that, neither my suggestions or the OPs are ever likely to be implemented, and things will probably just roll along as they are for years to come.
I suspect you're right. We could also eliminate almost all crime by introducing the death penalty for any kind of offence.
The blight caused by drugs is pretty much caused by their illegality, which means that the top dealers will be scum. And frankly even if it were the case that making them legal would change nothing, one has a fundamental right to control what is going in to one's body - I shouldn't be protected from myself without a damn good reason, and protecting the weak willed ain't it.
imbecile said:
M5Dave said:
The reason the war on drugs has failed, is the same reason that the war on almost every other type of crime has failed, and that's sentencing policy in this country.
The police know who the drug dealers are in their area, and they're routinely caught.
However, decades of penal reform groups indoctrinating the public, politicians and anyone else who'll listen, into the idea that prison doesn't work, or is nothing more than a school for criminals, means we now have a government whos no 1 priority, in the area of criminal justice, is keeping people out of prison, or if they must go to prison keeping sentences as short as possible. At to this the obsession with rehabilitation, rather than punishing criminals in a manner that fits their crime, and it's not hard to see where it's gone wrong.
Drug dealing is a vile crime that blights entire communities, and brings misery, ill health and death to thousands of people every year, yet those who engage in it have little to fear from the authorities.
Maybe a way to solve it would be starting tommorow, anyone convicted of possesion with intent to supply controlled drugs, goes to prison for twenty years, no exceptions, no excuses, no parole, no early release. This would be a starting point and would go up on a sliding scale depending on the quantity and class of drug in your possesion.
People will say this is unfair as it will only net small time street dealers and not the main players, but once the small time dealers are caught, or realise the risks aren't worth it, then the only option for the main players will be to take to the streets themselves, which will leave them far more vulnerable.
Also anyone convicted of drug dealing has all their assets siezed, everything down to every last knife and fork in their cutlery drawer, and they don't get anything back until they can provide conclusive proof that it was not funded, or partly funded by their drug dealing activities.
This, IMO, is a far more effective solution than just rolling over and allowing those who have profited for years through the misery of others to continue doing so, except legally.
Having said all that, neither my suggestions or the OPs are ever likely to be implemented, and things will probably just roll along as they are for years to come.
The police know who the drug dealers are in their area, and they're routinely caught.
However, decades of penal reform groups indoctrinating the public, politicians and anyone else who'll listen, into the idea that prison doesn't work, or is nothing more than a school for criminals, means we now have a government whos no 1 priority, in the area of criminal justice, is keeping people out of prison, or if they must go to prison keeping sentences as short as possible. At to this the obsession with rehabilitation, rather than punishing criminals in a manner that fits their crime, and it's not hard to see where it's gone wrong.
Drug dealing is a vile crime that blights entire communities, and brings misery, ill health and death to thousands of people every year, yet those who engage in it have little to fear from the authorities.
Maybe a way to solve it would be starting tommorow, anyone convicted of possesion with intent to supply controlled drugs, goes to prison for twenty years, no exceptions, no excuses, no parole, no early release. This would be a starting point and would go up on a sliding scale depending on the quantity and class of drug in your possesion.
People will say this is unfair as it will only net small time street dealers and not the main players, but once the small time dealers are caught, or realise the risks aren't worth it, then the only option for the main players will be to take to the streets themselves, which will leave them far more vulnerable.
Also anyone convicted of drug dealing has all their assets siezed, everything down to every last knife and fork in their cutlery drawer, and they don't get anything back until they can provide conclusive proof that it was not funded, or partly funded by their drug dealing activities.
This, IMO, is a far more effective solution than just rolling over and allowing those who have profited for years through the misery of others to continue doing so, except legally.
Having said all that, neither my suggestions or the OPs are ever likely to be implemented, and things will probably just roll along as they are for years to come.
I suspect you're right. We could also eliminate almost all crime by introducing the death penalty for any kind of offence.
The blight caused by drugs is pretty much caused by their illegality, which means that the top dealers will be scum. And frankly even if it were the case that making them legal would change nothing, one has a fundamental right to control what is going in to one's body - I shouldn't be protected from myself without a damn good reason, and protecting the weak willed ain't it.
I'm not suggesting eliminating crime by introducing the death penalty for every offence, but equally the answer to eliminating crime is not just to make everything legal.
Drug dealing is a serious criminal offence, perpetrated by violent and ruthless individuals, who will most likely be involved in much wider criminal activity. The way to stand up to them, and show them they're behaviour won't be tolerated is to hand down harsh and uncompromising prison sentences.
A slightly more controversial approach, and not one that could be publicised, spread a batch of dodgy heroin throughout the network either absurdly strong, or laced with poison, killing off the addicts and reducing drug related crime by a large margin more or less overnight. It would also serve as a valuable deterrent to future generations not to get involved.
I know I will get flamed to hell and back for this suggestion but it would work.
I know I will get flamed to hell and back for this suggestion but it would work.
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