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This was tried in Great Britain and it was not a successful endeavor. IIRC Amsterdam also opened themselves up to it and had addicts 'getting off' in public parks. Pot is certainly less harmful or potentially troublesome than alcohol. Not so narcotics or other hard drugs. Legalizing or decriminalizing pot is the way to go but not the other stuff AFAIC.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
I would tend to agree that many drugs do not cause significant physical damage in their pure form; however, you must cede the point that the various delivery systems CAN damage the body.
For example, pure heroin may not damage the body if ingested orally (or smoked - though I'm not 100% sure you can smoke it) . But because of the nature of tolerance people tend to increase dosages to achieve the same high (don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about chasing the dragon and always trying to get higher - though that is a serious issue with many), they tend to look for more efficient delivery systems: injections. Regardless of what you're injecting - illicit substances such as heroin, or simply and IV tube - habitual usage of the same injection site will compromise your veins. That is a serious medical problem.
Similarly, continual usage of cocaine can damage the mucosal lining of your nasal passage, damage olfactory nerve endings that descend from the brain to the nose, and possibly result in a deviated septum.
Don't get me wrong: if someone else chooses to use a drug that's their choice. I am of the belief that as individuals or a society no one has the right to tell another what to do. I simply wish to make known that certain drugs do result in physical damage, regardless of how "safe" the pure psychoactive component may be.
Jim, you miss my point,The feds realize that addictions can never be cured, case in point is the creation of methadone clinics,substitute one narcotic for another in a clean controlled manner.
In my state,some major citys have created wet houses for alcoholics,a place for them to go and drink all the booze they want,gets them off the streets and the roads,a place to sleep it off.
Curing addictions will never happen in this country the way we are attempting to do it.
Is a total failure,perhaps it is time to try something differant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
It just does not work. Would you expect the Government to give them their drugs? If not, they would continue to commit crimes to fund their addiction. This is true of any addictive substance, drugs, alcohol or tobacco.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
My only real concern with legalizing pot would be in the uptick in the amount of White Castles being sold. I'm not sure if there are enough White Castle restaurants to supply the throngs of pot heads that would have the munchies.....
You might be in luck.. With one comes the other..Quote:
Originally Posted by tiddle
Touche' sir, touche'Quote:
Originally Posted by Wintchase
Only my opinion, so take it w/ a grain of salt folks. I agree and support federally and state funded "clean" programs trying to get people off of these narcotics. I see pain management patients all day long, and it's just become ridiculous the number of people on this crap that get bounced around until the DR. of sorts, can't legally prescribe them anything anymore and kick them to the curb; then they start hitting up ER's and doc in the boxes to get their fix. I have a few friends that went through rehab at one point, got clean, and are doing well, so I am willing to let my tax money go to that. However, the come here and get high for free, and we'll make sure you don't OD while you're here programs...I just can't get myself or my money behind that. If you're trying to get clean and become a productive member of our society, then by all means my tax dollars are here to help. If you just want my tax money to give you a free place to go get high, crash out, and not contribute to the greater good; then why should the money I bust my ass 40+ hours a week go to pay for your high, only for you to come back for more w/ your hand out again? "If help is what you need, I will lend you my hand...If all you want is a handout, it will remain a closed fist to you." Just sayin', may make me sound like a douche of sorts, but at some point people gotta take the reigns themselves.
Methadone clinics aren't free. Those people pay for their dose. At least that is the way it was years ago. They originated in the USA as a way to alleviate street crime. A junkie came to a clinic to get a 'maintenance dose' so that he wouldn't be ripping and running the streets to get that fix. One of my best friends was on a clinic for 15 years. He finally through Narcotics Anonymous , got clean and hasn't had mind or mood altering substances for over 20 years.
I've known others who were not so fortunate. In the '60s I had three friends killed in combat in Viet Nam. During the same time period I had a dozen friends or acquaintances die of drug overdoses or be murdered in drug deals gone wrong. It doesn't always work but the best way for many people to 'get clean' is to hit bottom. Making it easier for them is not a good option IME. For some the bottom will be 6 feet under but many will turn away from addiction if the shoe becomes tight enough.
If you legalize narcotics for those that chose to use them,create clinics for them to get the drug of choice,give them sterile tools to do the deed.
You tottely eliminate the overdoses and drug deals gone wrong IMHO
An AP article, carried in today's Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, mentioned the idea of Colorado and Washington becoming sites for "recreational marijuana tourism" (like Amsterdam). Well, that's certainly one way to have a less-expensive vacation AND keep one's dollars closer to home.Quote:
Originally Posted by AspiringPolymath