3 ms·
This doesn't follow at all. Enforcement may not deter addiction, but illegality does in some subset of the population.
by Misdicorl 7y ago
This doesn't follow at all. Enforcement may not deter addiction, but illegality does in some subset of the population.
- DennisP 7y 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 7y 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