What if drugs were legalised?

[Danpascooch]

Well, I just started an assignment, and one of the options was What would happen if drugs were legalized. So, being me, I got distracted, and ended up on The Escapist. But while I'm here, I thought I might as well get some other opinions on this. So: What do you think would happen if drugs were legalized?

EDIT: And would you support it if they were?

Write a report about how it would be a good thing, people who want drugs just get them illegally anyway, but here are the pros

1.) It would make them cheaper
2.) it would take out the danger of using shady dealers
3.) it would generate tons of tax revenue
4.) it would cripple criminal organizations that use drug sales for funding.
5.) FDA regulation would make it less likely for them to be "laced" with something very dangerous

So yeah, LEGALIZE THAT SHIT!

 

[Kungfu_Teddybear]

Of course, this could easily lead to creating a huge new generation of crack heads and addicts, leading to everyone in the world looking like my Mega-Man avatar...

When I read that and looked at your Avatar I burst out laughing.

OT: I can't really think of any downsides apart from a sudden rise in drug addicts. I still wouldn't support them if the were legalised I don't even support smoking as it's harmful to the body. But whatever people can do what they want to their bodies.

 

[Doc Theta Sigma]

Listen to any audio or watch any video of Bill Hicks talking about drugs. If he doesn't make a valid argument to you about legalizing them, then you're never going to change your mind.

 

[Funkiest Monkey]

I don't mean to de-rail here, but can you think of the benefits if prostitution was legalised? Before you start calling me a pervert, hear me out. You see; in Botswana, they have legalised prostitution. The hookers aren't abused by pimps and can make a legitimate living from it, there are no shady pimps around, and the prostitutes are checked every month for STDs. Everything is much safer. (I wouldn't hire one though.)

The same message would pretty much transfer for drugs, but I believe only pot should be legalised. It has been proven to have less dangerous effects than alcohol, and is obtainable pretty much anywhere. It would also leave more space in prisons for real criminals. However, most Class B and A drugs (like Heroin or Cocaine) are very dangerous, and most smack-heads should be locked up.

 

[flank11]

It would be a positive thing if drugs were legal. I personally don't support harder drugs such as meth and heroine, but it would be safer if they were controlled.

People can argue and banter all they want on how the world will end since everyone will be instantly high, or on how the "societal costs will out weigh any monetary gains from taxation", but in the end, its all circumstantial bull...

One name destroys and mutes most if not all arguments against legalization: Portugal.

In 2001 Portugal made all drugs legal. AND THE FIRE COMENATH FROM THE SKY, AND CRACKIES SOLD THEIR KIDS FOR CRACK MONEY!!!!

Or, not....

Portugal was in the same boat that America is in now; high drug use in its population, lack of any control in the government and all controlled by black market, incredible incarceration rates which keep non violent offenders locked up, while killers, rapists, and thieves are set free, and a general lack of respect for law enforcement.

So they made it legal, all of them. The same claims America is making about the dangers of drugs and legalization were made over there. How seemingly legalizing drugs is opening the flood gates for everyone and their dog to be high forever and ever. How the children need to be protected, and the rest of that bullcrap.
What happened?

In the first year, pot use went up slightly. Now? There are record levels of self admittance to drug rehab centers for all of the harder drugs, HIV infections from dirty needle use have declined radically, the prison system has been let to breathe and the judiciary system is now attending to violent and harmful cases, ALL drug use levels have declined sharply, and to put that into perspective; in Portugal, less people tried pot for the first time last year then new users of cocaine in America. America has more new coke heads than Portugal has new stoners.

When both Government AND the criminals are on the same side of things, something must be wrong. Those involved in the drug market want harsher penalties, makes their product more expensive and lowers competition.

Oh, but we need to protect the children!! THINK OF TOMMY AND ANGIE!!

Well, ask any high school kid, and they'll tell you that its easier to get drugs than it is to get alcohol. Drugs, you call some guy up, give them money, and there we go. Hell, if you find a nice dealer, they might even deliver to your front door!

Anyone who argues that by legalizing drugs we are effectively destroying society needs to open a book and read up.

 

[Plurralbles]

Uh... well, I definitely would change my career choice to doctor or dentist or addiction cure guy. the monies, you see, would be HUGE.

I believe under today's rules minor drug offenders are no threat to society and shouldn't be jailed. Offering or buying for minors is a garbage move and should be punishable by a fine of 50K and six month probation.

Meh. I would watch probably five more friends die of the stuff than already have. No big deal or anything.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Absolutely nothing. People who do want to do drugs don't give a shit about the law and those that don't want to do drugs don't want to do so because of their own decision and not because they give a shit about the law.

WRONG

It would make them cheaper, it would take out the danger of using shady dealers, it would generate tons of tax revenue, and it would cripple criminal organizations that use drug sales for funding.

But everything ELSE would remain the same.

I got caught off guard here. I should have mentioned that. I guess my mind pondered about how more people would start to use drugs rather than the effects this would have on criminal organizations.

 

[TheLaofKazi]

except they are highly addictive which causes crime. medical costs skyrocket because of health problems caused by them.

Drug related crimes decreases, Fucking insane crimes increase.

Just thinking about the deaths by car accidents of drunks gives me the shakes. Imagine the fucking crackheads and heroin addicts roaming around.

Sort of like they already do right now?

Nearly all the problems I've seen anti-drug legalization advocates talk about are already happening right now, some of which are being causes by drug prohibition itself.

People need to realize that drug use is not necessarily a criminal problem. It's a social and health one. Legalizing or decriminalizing and regulating drugs does not necessarily mean just "giving up" and letting people do whatever they please with drugs, many people support it as a different, more humane approach to the problem.

 

[Shpongled]

If drugs were legalized:
1. The government would start making money off of the taxes for it.
2. The FDA would start having standards for the drugs therefore making them safer.
3. The illegal market of it would decrease because you can get it LEGALLY and probably cheaper and refer back to number 2.

So. Crime decreases, recession decreases, addicts still get what they want while helping everyone else out.

except they are highly addictive which causes crime. medical costs skyrocket because of health problems caused by them.

Except many drugs aren't addictive and as in the case of Portugal, crime rates have been shown to decline. Higher medical costs are balanced out by increased tax revenue and reduced incarceration costs.

 

[Shpongled]

If drugs were legalized:
1. The government would start making money off of the taxes for it.
2. The FDA would start having standards for the drugs therefore making them safer.
3. The illegal market of it would decrease because you can get it LEGALLY and probably cheaper and refer back to number 2.

So. Crime decreases, recession decreases, addicts still get what they want while helping everyone else out.

except they are highly addictive which causes crime. medical costs skyrocket because of health problems caused by them.

Except many drugs aren't addictive and as in the case of Portugal, crime rates have been shown to decline. Higher medical costs are balanced out by increased tax revenue and reduced incarceration costs.

since when is europe ANYTHING like america? and you say many drugs are not addictive when everyone knows you can get addicted to anything. hell you can get addicted to soda.

Just because you can be addicted to something, doesn't mean that something is addictive. In regards to drug addiction, people generally refer to drugs such as heroin as addictive because the chemicals create a physical dependence within the body. Psychedelics are not considered addictive because they contain no chemicals which can or will cause a physical dependence within the body.

Using mental dependence as an argument for strict drug laws is flawed. Mental dependence is not inherent to the substance itself. As you mentioned, one can develop mental dependence to anything. Mushrooms or Mescaline are no more likely to induce addiction than any other stimulating, enjoyable or inspiring product or activity. Should we ban computer games because one can develop a mental dependence for them?

You're right, Portugal is not an ideal model for USA due to substantial differences in population, culture and society. However ignoring the profound evidence presented is silly, particularly when considering the fact that the current approach to drug enforcement by the US Agencies is laughably ineffective, and has thus far been unarguably detrimental to both the nation and itself, and world around it.