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If it's true that "most of the data in the US indicates no correlation between enforcement and addiction rates" then that just means a somewhat different group
by DennisP 8y ago
If it's true that "most of the data in the US indicates no correlation between enforcement and addiction rates" then that just means a somewhat different group of people is doing it, while still being about the same number of people.
- Misdicorl 8y agoThis doesn't follow at all. Enforcement may not deter addiction, but illegality does in some subset of the population.
- DennisP 8y agoI'll grant "some subset" but does it change overall addiction rates? It's entirely possible that it increases addiction in other subsets, e.g. by making treatment less available. And if you claim it does reduce overall rates, can you provide a source? Portugal's drug addiction rates have plummeted since they decriminalized: https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/04/18/524380027/in-portugal-drug-use-is-treated-as-a-medical-issue-not-a-crime https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/04/18/524380027/...
- Misdicorl 8y agoYes agreed. Though I think it's not a panacea. There was an article/interview that I can't find discussing the lack of available services for those with addiction in a Scandinavian country post decriminalisation. I don't remember it all that well but the jist was that now that drugs were legal, it was a personal problem rather than a societal one; the 'treat it as a medical condition' aspect of the broader argument never actually materialized with services for those in need