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>>Prohibition has been shown - repeatedly - not to work Unfortunately, those promoting the drug enforcement agenda do not care whether it works. In fact, they
by Donzo 12y ago
>>Prohibition has been shown - repeatedly - not to work
Unfortunately, those promoting the drug enforcement agenda do not care whether it works. In fact, they are probably most familiar with the fact that it doesn't "work" in the sense of healing social ills.
The way it does "work," however, is by giving purpose to large and politically powerful organizations and structures, such as the prison industrial complex.
The fact of the matter is that without a war on drugs, effectively a war against a subset of a nation's own citizens, there would be little justification for large standing police forces in small towns. They need these laws to give them something to do, as solving actual crimes with victims is difficult. So, by some accounts, the war on drugs is "working" just fine.
- krylon 12y agoSigh Sad but true.
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoDrug wars are nothing new. Its almost cyclic - drugs considered harmless, followed by overuse and destroyed lives, followed by harsh campaigns suppressing their use, followed by laws and 'wars'. When a generation gets appalled at the inconsistencies in prosecution of what are now 'victimless' crimes, rinse and repeat. In the 1700's and 1800's these cycles were repeated; today we're where we are. But now there are really effective drugs that are both less corrosive to general health, and simultaneously shockingly addictive and dysfunctional. We've upped the ante by 100X. So where do we go from here? Suggestions? And 'repeat the cycle' is not going to really solve anything.
- Nursie 12y agoAllow modern science to develop drugs of recreation that minimise the downsides. We have a far greater understanding of pharmacology and Neuroscience now than ever before. It would have to be done carefully - a pure market-based solution would likely optimise for addictivity so other constraints may need to be imposed. But for an example, have a look at some of Prof. David Nutt's propositions about creating a less harmful alcohol substitute. At the moment any research into making a 'better' recreational drug is highly controversial. Particularly where harm reduction is concerned - many on the 'anti' side consider it a moral issue and reducing harm goes directly against their sense of justice and punishment of those that transgress.
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoI remember that syphilis was considered a just reward of the promiscuous. There was much resistance to the idea of a cure. AIDS was considered by some to be the judgement of God. Some things never change.
- josefresco 12y ago"giving purpose to large and politically powerful organizations and structures, such as the prison industrial complex" Draconian sentencing and overreaction to drug use by the population led to the creation of the prison industrial complex (not the other way around). I don't believe it's fair to place the blame solely on the "industry" or business of drug law enforcement, incarceration, treatment and rehabilitation as they are simply following the money/opportunity created by legislators. I feel if we effectively change the laws (which will be hard as the lobbying is intense), the industry built around it will suffer and hopefully be reduced considerably breaking the cycle. However, if we shift the "drug problem" from a law enforcement/criminal issue to a health issue, there will be a completely new industry created around rehab/treatment, even larger than exists today. Some will argue this is a good thing, but only if those that are profiting are operating responsibly.