A former Seattle police chief argues for an end to the war on drugs. He porposes an alternative model with "no apologies" to libertarians for taxation and regulation;
The demand for illicit drugs is as strong as the nation's thirst for bootleg booze during Prohibition. It's a demand that simply will not dwindle or dry up. Whether to find God, heighten sexual arousal, relieve physical pain, drown one's sorrows or simply feel good, people throughout the millenniums have turned to mood- and mind-altering substances.
They're not about to stop, no matter what their government says or does. It's time to accept drug use as a right of adult Americans, treat drug abuse as a public health problem and end the madness of an unwinnable war.
When a child is born
50 minutes ago
2 comments:
"They're not about to stop, no matter what their government says or does. It's time to accept drug use as a right of adult Americans, treat drug abuse as a public health problem and end the madness of an unwinnable war."
My kinda realist.
Plus, I haven't chatted to God for a long while.
I am inclined to agree. We simply cannot win as the demand is too strong. So legalise it, control it, tax it like alcohol and tobacco, and treat it as a public health issue.
This will have the effect of taking a lot of the profit out of crime, undercutting the gangs, and the tax paid will help fund education and treatment.
Personally, I only 'use' alcohol and caffine. But I accept that there are some people who 'use' cannabis and maintain a relatively healthy, functioning life. Tobacco and alcohol 'users' pay a heavy tax to help fund their health treatments. Surely other drug users should do the same.
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