Why is it legal to attempt to commit suicide, but not legal to use drugs?

Question

i see perfectly clearly why its illegal to sell drugs, but why is it illegal to use them, i mean if its legal to try and kill yourself, than why isnt it legal to use drugs, cuz youre pretty much doin the same thing, but only with a lot slower results, and sometimes not that much slower at all

hmmm i guess you learn somethin new everyday : ) thanx

Answer 1

Attempted suicide is NOT considered a crime in the U.S. Some states did list it on the books up until 1963 as a felony, but historically no penalties have ever been imposed for it. The state can take custody of anybody who is deemed mentally unfit to take care of himself regardless of whether or not he has done anything illegal. As for illegal drugs, many conservative types dubiously argue that they automatically make you a danger to others, and that the users should also go to jail because they financially support the drug dealers who cause much of the violence in our streets. Personally, I think that's mostly a load of horse-hockey and if they just legalized the stuff then all the street-level drug dealers and the foreign drug cartels would simply be put out of business.

Answer 2

Technically, attempting suicide is illegal. Most judges will sentence you to a minimum of 10 days in a mental institution. However, I am inclined to agree with you on your other point. What with all of the other "legal" drugs there are out here (nicotine, alcohol, prescription meds), why shouldn't marijuana be legalized? If someone wants to snort cocaine til their brains leak from their nose, why the hell not? The truth is, no one really knows. Some say the government refuses to legalize marijuana because they can't tax it (they tax everything else). As far as the other drugs go, it damned sure ain't because the government cares about us.

Answer 3

I don't think attempted suicide is legal in most states. You will at eh least end up in a mental institution for awhile.

Answer 4

Sorry, however it is ILLEGAL to attempt suicide. Normally a judge will commit the person to treatment.

Answer 5

Just because something is not punishable under the law, doesn't mean the law likes it.

The law doesn't like suicide -- and does everything it can to discourage it. But punishing suicide is pointless, and punishing attempted suicide is usually counter-productive.

Answer 6

It's illegal to attempt suicide. Most jurisdictions wont punish you for it but will order you to some sort of treatment.

Answer 7

I didn't know suicide was legal. Anyway, it is certainly legal to kill yourself by smoking tobacco, but not by other drugs.