Shouldn't we stop treating nonviolent drug use as a criminal issue and started treating it as a medical one?

Question

Let's face it, the "war on drugs" is a failure. We've spent untold billions in the drug interdiction effort, and drugs still permeate our society.

Isn't it time we adopted a rehabilitative approach, rather than a criminal one?

Here are some benefits:
1) Less prison space would be taken up by nonviolent offenders and therefore more space would be available to incarcerate dangerous violent felons.

2) The money spent on interdiction efforts could be either saved or if necessary, channeled into rehabilitation programs.

If we went the full drug decriminalization route, there would be some additional benefits:

1) Money that is now illegal and untaxable would be taxable.

2) There would be far less drug-related violence, as when you remove the profit motive you remove the incentive to kill others for profit.

3) Far fewer people would die of overdoses from adulterated drugs, because the drug purity would be regulated.

So why aren't we doing the sensible thing?

Answer 1

Legalize it. Tax the hell out of it.

Works for Tobacco. And last I heard, secondhand crack smoke hasn't killed anyone.

Do it for prostitution while you're at it. Works fine for Nevada. Tax revenue, the women are tested and clean and the men don't bring diseases home. Because it's not like you'll ever stop that either.

And a woman can choose to abort her fetus (arguably a fully realized human being depending on who you ask) but she can't rent out her body in a safe, controlled environment for mutual pleasure and gain? Please.

Answer 2

I think we should use the money we spend helping countries that hate us, like Lebanon, and build prisons in the desert specifically for drug users. And make drug dealing a crime punishable by death. Here is what is wrong with your theory. Making drugs legal would not help anything. The addicts still would not have the money to buy them and would still steal or kill to get the money. And what kind of message are we sending our kids? Yeah yeah, I know alcohol is a drug too but a whole lot less deadly than crack. The sensible thing to do is to enforce the damn laws and make people pay for breaking it. I live in a place where meth is everywhere and a huge problem. It leads to a very large % of the crimes committed here. Why? Because the dealers and users are let off with a slap on the @ss and probation. Making it legal would make it easier to get and we sure as hell do not need anymore meth heads running around.

Answer 3

of course. but the fact of the matter is the system is corrupt. people of the fda are former drug corp employees. the people that make the drug laws stiff are part of policing groups / associations. the last people that want it legalized are the drug mafias - especially the mexican drug cartels. all this corruption would come crashing down by making it legal to buy marijuana (the most popular street drug and arguably the least harmless) off the shelf... but I don't think we need a whole branch of therapist so to speak after legalization, but rather just tax it and have it part of the regular economy as liquor is. the only thing that shouldn't change is imparement laws - dui ect. Alot of statistics on MADD's site are very valid but adults have a right to put what they want into their own body. The drug houses and gangs would disappear if they legalized.

Answer 4

Legalizing dangerous drugs will with out a doubt increase their use. It's a simple fact. Believe it or not there are a large number of people who obey the law just because it's the law.

Far MORE people would die of overdoses simply because there would be an overwhelming increase of users.

Answer 5

California adopted the "Drug Court" where you get rehabilitation rather than prison time for drug offenses.

All indicators show that it is working very well and slowly reducing the prison population.

Hopefully other US states will smarten up sooner before later.

Answer 6

Criminal Record Search Database : http://SearchVerifyInfos.com/Official

Answer 7

Whos choice was it to self induce the condition? who is ultimatly responsible for the repeated and illegal act? when it bites them in the rear who whines it wasnt my fault yuor honor> I prefer some of the mid east cures for addiction and drug use/ sales etc...over petty fines and mimimal jail sentances...
thats as funny as people who get fat by the choice overeating then trying to collect welfare and free med svcs because they are umm disabled now? Be responsible for your own acts or face the consequences simple...

Answer 8

I've never believed in "victimless crimes." Drugs could be easily regualted and legalized. Same with gambling and prostitution. But show me a politician with the guts to do that.

Answer 9

I think we should treat it as a "who cares" issue unless the druggie harms someone else. Personal freedom, personal responsibility. I say if you smoke crack you are choosing to kill yourself. No one should be obligated to have their money spent to cure you of your "medical" problem.

Answer 10

Yes! This has been a major issue with me. We seem more intent on jailing people than we are educating them.