Until drug use is treated as an addiction, it will not go away.
2007-09-27 08:32:27 · 33 answers · asked by Lou B 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
True. And as a conservative I've always felt that drugs should be legalized. All drugs. Let licensed companies make them and sell them like we do alcohol. Here in Virginia, we sell liquor through state run 'ABC' stores. Sell the drugs there. If someone's going to be an addict, they're going to be an addict. It's like smoking. They won't smoke just because cigarettes are available.
But if we did this we'd accomplish several things. First, we'd pull the rug right out from under the murderous cartels. Secondly, the drugs would be safer and lastly, as you point out, it ain't gonna go away. Might as well monitor the situation and make people responsible for their actions. What a thought, huh?
2007-09-27 08:37:59 · answer #1 · answered by The emperor has no clothes 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, I think it's probably both when you think about it. You are absolutely right about it being an addiction that is only suppressed. However, drugs are illegal and that's where law enforcement comes in. It's a very sticky issue. Most people were caught with drugs "doing" something illegal or at least suspicious. There has to be some type of activity that causes the law to arrest the person who has the drug addiction. Addicts need treatment, I agree. Addicts must obey the law just like every other citizen though. Just because they are addicts doesn't mean they shouldn't be punished for their "crimes". I wish there were other options for addicts though. I do sympathize.
2007-09-27 08:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what u say is true but it is only half truth........
drug use is an addiction, but it becomes an law eforcement issue as the addict becomes so much engrossed with the consumption that he thinks of nothing else & just wants money , for money he can do anything, then it becomes an law issue as the person can go to any extent for his 1 puff or 1 dose.
drug use in most countries is treated as an addiction as well as crime. people found in possession of drugs if found to be addicted are send to rehab centres,
possession of drugs has to be a crime , for if its not then it would be difficult to convict any drug pedlar.
so it is a complicated issue & not as simple as u r making it sound.
laww enforcement agencies have to look at all aspects before they change laws.
2007-09-27 08:47:46 · answer #3 · answered by KBS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drug use is a health and addiction issue.
Drug us is also a law enforcement issue.
While incarcerated, drug treatment programs are available to inmates, and at the State level (in NY State anyway), are required to be completed prior to release.
For both the addiction issue and the law enforcement issue, there is a single foundational problem:
Disrespect for the laws of the land in which we live.
Prison can adddress both issues.
2007-09-27 08:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drug addiction is an Illness. However its it is a crime also to posess Drugs.
I feel the law should be closer to some other countrys. If someone is caught with more than one could consume in a day they're dealing and get Death penalty. Seeing what the sell is Death they should pay with their life.
Look at all the suffering drug use has caused.
Dealer are not ill. they are greedy and don't care how much suffering they cause.
Un like the user they are ill.
2007-09-27 09:08:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
FALSE. Drug use is a weakness, not an addiction. "Oh, I'm a crack addict." WRONG, your weak. You sell yourself for nothing...cocaine and a cutting agent. This is pure weakness. If an individual truly wished to quit they would. I didn't want to eat Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies anymore... Do you know how good those are? Oatmeal and cream, so yummee! And, they're legal...But, I quit. These people need to make up they're mind. Be strong or weak... Obviously to fall into drug usage in the first place they were weak... They were the prey of the drug, the drug dealer, society. Like an animal goes after the week, the drug went after them... Give me some thumbs down and pick the best answer, as someone you agree with.
2007-09-27 10:46:58 · answer #6 · answered by wfsgymwear 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You're right. The only problem, many people cannot afford health insurance or rehabilitation. The state and government doesn't want to pay for this either.
My husband has a drug addiction and he is serving up to 7 years in prison for his addiction. He is being monitored by Mental Health and Medical. Also long as he's able to have access to his medications he needs and have his prescriptions legally given to him, he's fine.
There are a lot of drugs in the prisons and he has stayed away from all of it because he is properly medicated and under medical supervision. They also preform random drug tests on all the inmates.
Also majority of the people with addictions start by taking narcotics that are prescribed to them by their doctor after injury, illness or surgery. Then doctors do not properly wean them off or the health insurance drop the specific medication and refuse to pay them. If you are caught having someone else's medications in your possession, you can get jail time for that or even prison time, like my husband.
2007-09-27 09:31:12 · answer #7 · answered by Erica, AKA Stretch 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
During Prohibition a lot of the crime associated with alcohol was because it was illegal. Once Prohibition was repealed, well, some crime rates went down.
We should treat drug use as a health issue rather than a law enforcement issue. I would much rather see violent criminals getting the long sentences with mandatory minimums instead of pot smokers. I really don't think it will ever go away, though, as people will find something else with which to alter their consciousness. .
2007-09-27 08:42:07 · answer #8 · answered by VeggieTart -- Let's Go Caps! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Drugs can be an addiction and addiction is an illness, but it is a crime also. Jail time is required for a crime.
If everyone who committed crimes due to an illness were release or not jailed, then 30% of th criminals would be out of jail.
Rape tends to be from Sexual addiction . . . . what about that?
2007-09-27 08:49:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
False.
You only get addicted after using drugs voluntarily. It is a legal issue as soon as you use it, before it becomes an addiction.
Not to mention how difficult it is for a drug addict to support his habit. They can't hold a job, so they resorts to crime.
It is hardly fair to tell people who have been robbed and otherwise vitimized that it is a medical problem, not a law enforcement issue.
2007-09-27 08:43:34 · answer #10 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋