7 ms·

The problem with decriminalization is that there's no way to legally buy the substances, so organized crime is still involved, and consumers still can't tell wh

The problem with decriminalization is that there's no way to legally buy the substances, so organized crime is still involved, and consumers still can't tell whether the substances they buy and use are safe. Legalization would solve both those problems.

sudosysgen 4y ago
Décriminalisation means users can legally get their drugs tested and know they are safe because the infrastructure to do that is now generally legal. It's not clear to me we want, for example, heroin to be freely available. So it seems like a good least worst option.
version_five 4y ago
Those problems exist under the current system too. Decriminalization is still a step forward because it undoes much of what makes prohibition bad, such as it moves use out into the open where it becomes less harmful. And it stops police from having a tool they can use to harass the people who they want to harass, and hopefully some day focus on real crimes
atemerev 4y ago
In Switzerland, you can visit the specialized centers for drug users, buy pharmaceutical-quality substances, and consume there directly (no outside consumption is allowed). This works, because the interior of the center is very uncool, boring, and it is filled with leaflets on getting help on quitting drugs. This system is amazing, and I can only wonder why it is not implemented everywhere (Switzerland and Portugal are working examples).
Tiktaalik 4y ago
Creating a safe supply of drugs that can be prescribed by doctors is def a topic of conversation in BC politics as the ultimate solution to this problem. I would like to think that this decriminalization change is a necessary precursor to this and that we will be moving swiftly to get Doctors on board around prescribing people the drugs they need to get them off the toxic street drugs. I mean presumably Doctors would decline to write a prescription for a drug that is illegal to hold.
Vladimof 4y ago
At least they won't fill the jails with users...

sudosysgen 4y ago

Décriminalisation means users can legally get their drugs tested and know they are safe because the infrastructure to do that is now generally legal. It's not clear to me we want, for example, heroin to be freely available. So it seems like a good least worst option.

version_five 4y ago

Those problems exist under the current system too. Decriminalization is still a step forward because it undoes much of what makes prohibition bad, such as it moves use out into the open where it becomes less harmful. And it stops police from having a tool they can use to harass the people who they want to harass, and hopefully some day focus on real crimes

atemerev 4y ago

In Switzerland, you can visit the specialized centers for drug users, buy pharmaceutical-quality substances, and consume there directly (no outside consumption is allowed). This works, because the interior of the center is very uncool, boring, and it is filled with leaflets on getting help on quitting drugs. This system is amazing, and I can only wonder why it is not implemented everywhere (Switzerland and Portugal are working examples).

Tiktaalik 4y ago

Creating a safe supply of drugs that can be prescribed by doctors is def a topic of conversation in BC politics as the ultimate solution to this problem. I would like to think that this decriminalization change is a necessary precursor to this and that we will be moving swiftly to get Doctors on board around prescribing people the drugs they need to get them off the toxic street drugs. I mean presumably Doctors would decline to write a prescription for a drug that is illegal to hold.

Vladimof 4y ago

At least they won't fill the jails with users...