Shouldn't we tackle drugs from the demand end of the problem?

Question

Simple economics dictate that if a demand is there then suppliers will provide. Surely it makes sense to tackle demand by imposing harsh penalties for possession and use of illegal drugs thereby reducing demand. No more 'personal use' defences (try claiming a gun found in your car was for personal use only!) or letting junkies and pot-heads off with a caution.
It needs to become risky and humiliating to be caught using illegal drugs. Employers should fire staff convicted of posession as a matter of routine, instead of offering counselling etc. Punishment should include public naming and humiliation. No more methadone, etc - just cold turkey until they are clean. Until the fun is taken out of the use of drugs then demand will always create supply.
We still need to send suppliers down for a long time but those who use are equally guilty of perpetuating the trade. They have to be made accountable for their antisocial actions that impact on us all.

Re. spiritualmikee - 'those who already hurt enough' We all hurt at some time, but that isn't an excuse to use drugs. I'm tired of all the claptrap about treating junkies, potheads, etc. as victims. They chose to take that first sniff, smoke or whatever. Others of us had the strength of character not to. They are criminals, not victims.
taking drugs does not make you a victim, it makes you a junkie. I am only too aware of the processes of addiction, but I repeat, if you don't start you can't be addicted. Less whingeing and more strength of character are what is needed.
I also agree that there should be tighter controls on alcohol and tobacco.

I admit it, I am predjudiced - against all the junkie, dealers and their apologists who are destroying our society. I'm also predjudiced against murderers, rapists and thieves. Where is the problem with this?

Answer 1

Yes we should. The whole thing is like a pyramid with the big shots at the top. Currently we are trying to eliminate those at the top of the pyramid and they are being replaced as fast as we can remove them. Start chipping away at the bottom and it will collapse.
As for those who think drugs are harmless, I don't care what harm individuals do to themselves but I do care about the thefts, muggings and violence they carry out whilst under the influence and trying to raise money for their next fix.

Answer 2

Do you really think that will work? The demand will not go away just because the penalty is higher. As someone else has mentioned, people still murdered people when capital punishment was around so why will people stop taking or wanting drugs just because they might get caught/have a higher penalty. Prisons are overcrowded as it is and if ALL drug users began being sent to prison it would be ridiculous...I would say at a guess at least half the Country would be inside for something!

I think you have a rather narrow view on the situation, the way forward is legalisation and subsequent control of these illegal substances (although that will inevitably increase the prices, d'oh!).

Answer 3

All problems should be tackled in the round.

Make drugs legal and free, then a systematic campaign to make drugs totally socially unacceptable illegal for people to have consumed drugs in the wrokplace, if its in the system you can be fired no appeal or compensation banning from driving a car etc etc etc. But it is still legal....you just cant live like a normal person ( spend the hundreds of millions that we spend fighting drugs and the billions that we spend picking up after drug crime)

You will deter the fashionable followers by making it really uncool, and you will restrict the illegal infrastructure of the criminal gangs by making it too difficult to make money. ( if anyone then sets up an illegal supply chain big or small life imprisonment no parole - because there would be no reason or excuse left)

Answer 4

If your concern is mainly with antisocial actions then surely we should concentrate on banning alcohol which, after all, is the most abused and readily available drug of all. It kills more people directly or indirectly than anything else and clogs up the hospitals with piss heads taking care away from needy people. But your suggestions would simply push drug use further underground and may even make it more attractive to those who have a twisted sense of right. I agree some junkies are a complete waste of space and do not want to change, but the majority of tokers aren't doing anybody any harm, much less harm than drinkers which is social acceptable. And I don't, by the way. Used to, but not since the kids came along.

Answer 5

nice idea, but you're not going to reduce demand by making punishment more likely or more severe. The demand will still be there because of the very nature of the product (addictive) and the nature of the buyer (needy, socially inadequate, whatever). Addicts aren't going to use common sense and logic and decide that they won't bother buying any more cos they'll get into trouble - they'll just yearn for the drug even more and get it when they can.

Answer 6

It's stupid spending millions on the so-called war on drugs,it's unwinnable.The Government should legalise it,& tax it.That would take the dealers out of the equation.It would not lead to an increase in drug-taking,because any-one who wants drugs can get them now.The crime rate would drop dramatically if addicts could get their fix cheaply & safely at a local clinic.I have very little sympathy for druggies,their problems are self-inflicted,but they are a problem that needs to be resolved.

Answer 7

You make a good debate, however the resources we have now to chase the dealers and suppliers are strained to the limit. The numbers of users so greatly outnumbers the dealers that we would be forever behind. Our prison systems are alreaady over-crowded to a point we have to release drug lords to make room for the murderers and what have you. I say we take all teh little dopers and their supliers and affiliates, ride them up in a plane and tell them all they can fly. If they don't believe they can fly, push them out and prove it to them.

Answer 8

Actually, I sort of agree with you. It always amazes me that people will use drugs, knowing that people have smuggled them into the country inside their bodies! I remember the anti-fur brigades and how they made it unpopular. Well, what could be worse than poor women bringing drugs into this country and dying because of split condoms full of drugs? Leaving their children behind starving. I do think there is much more we could do with educating the public. Would yu stuff something up your nose knowing it came from someone's bum?

Answer 9

Zero tolerance, backed by seriously motivating consequences are all that are gonna make an impact. The slap 'em on the hand & let 'em go technique simply fosters a flourishing criminal career.

Answer 10

It seems to me that you know very little about addiction and even less about drugs. The tone of your question is a very angry one and perhaps if you could put away your predjudice, you could find a answer that is not based on hurting those who already hurt enough.