Should drugs be illegal

[humvee2800]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XUWnxc6-GA

Brings up some valid points pertaining to drugs, namely questionning why they are illegal.

People do them to explore different feelings and frames of mind, with some causing harmful effects, but it remains to be shown, why are they illegal.

[Manco]

My personal opinion is that everything that doesn't hurt others should be legal.

Most drugs would ideally become legal then, though the harder varieties like cocaine and heroine of course have vast consequences for people beyond the user themselves and should remain illegal.

[The Count(er)]

Depends on the drug, if the drug is only effecting the person taking it then I don't really care, it's when it starts to harm others who are uninvolved that I start to have an issue. Things like second hand smoke, done a real number on my lungs and I haven't smoked once in my life.

[roy34543]

My personal opinion is that everything that doesn't hurt others should be legal.

Most drugs would ideally become legal then, though the harder varieties like cocaine and heroine of course have vast consequences for people beyond the user themselves and should remain illegal.

Isnt that pretty naive though? I mean if one guy takes drugs theres a lot of peer pressure for other people to take drugs and it influences them .
(just playing devils advocate here, i also think drugs should be legalized, but not quite because it doesnt harm others, its naive to think it doesnt)

[Manco]

Isnt that pretty naive though? I mean if one guy takes drugs theres a lot of peer pressure for other people to take drugs and it influences them .
(just playing devils advocate here, i also think drugs should be legalized, but not quite because it doesnt harm others, its naive to think it doesnt)

Marijuana, LSD,... don't hurt anyone besides you if used in moderation. Same like smoking.
Of course I don't advocate driving under influence or anything, as that would be potentially hurting others, same like alcohol.

I don't see peer pressure as a reason to ban stuff either, as it is still ultimately their own choice and it's not my problem if someone's character is too weak to resist it or that they have lousy friends. Hence I shouldn't be banned from using drugs because others can be pressured into using them.

[Dayman]

I don't care what you do behind closed doors unless you're hurting someone. Drugs included.

[humvee2800]

well the idea is they ban drugs to protect people from them, but who are they protecting ?

the people they throw in jail for the rest of their life for having some drugs they wanted to have fun with , or the people selling it to them? do either of them deserve life in prison.

[Dayman]

You know how much money border guards and such get paid to let drugs through?

I don't doubt in my mind that that money finds its way up to lawmakers who try to keep certain drugs illegal since the black market is much more lucrative.

[Tigrul]

You know... there are two topics already, and they have a poll each. One is on whether light drugs should be legalized and the other on whether hard drugs should be legalized. You could have continued those topics.
And, of course, you can add a poll to this topic.

I for one am a liberal, so I say legalize!

[spanish_emperor]

I have yet to make up my mind but i am starting to prefer the legalization of drugs. I believe the consumers are normally addicts and therefore having these drugs banned will only result in these consumers buying them illegally. However, if they were legal the state could provide them the drugs for a cheaper price which wouldn't result in wasting all his money on those which are illegal and therefore still have money to buy the necessities. The drugs delivered could also be of reliable quality and not some cheap drug covered in deodorant to make it feel heavier and of a larger quantity or mixed with microscopic smashed glass pieces. The state could also keep an eye on the addict (prevent him from becoming a criminal), help him to extinguish his addiction and lead him/her to recovery. It would also reduce the illegal drug trade which has severe consequences such as corruption and increase in gang related violence.
Making drugs legal would put the illegal drug traders out of business. The price of illegal drugs are always high because of the cost of bribing, hiding, importing, etc. However, if local companies made drugs cheaper which could only be sold under the supervision of the state the illegal traders would be unable to compete.

And claiming that drugs should be banned because children give in to peer pressure isn't an adequate reason. That is more of a moral reason and the fault lies in the parents and the child's friends or in other words, a lack of education.

[Denny Crane!]

So if everyone wants at least the light ones legalised (the overwhelming majority according to nationwide polls in most countries) how is it that ''democracies'' keep jailing people despite like in the UK half the heads of government having done them.

[humvee2800]

Mind you the image of a drug user being a crazed addict is also unfair.

weed is shown to be less addicting then cigarretes, acid is not known to be addictive, and even club drugs like E do not have withdrawal effects beyond a craving.

[roy34543]

I don't see peer pressure as a reason to ban stuff either, as it is still ultimately their own choice and it's not my problem if someone's character is too weak to resist it or that they have lousy friends. Hence I shouldn't be banned from using drugs because others can be pressured into using them.

Its not your problem. But it its a lot harder for the people who get pressured into using them.
and it is a factor eventually for you. If this kid gets stuck on marijuna they may not be focused at their education,or could resort to stealing to get more money for it and then they may not get a skilled job and wont contribute to the economy, which will eventually effect you. One kid isnt a big deal, but lets say 90% of students take it? a if just 5% Dont do as well as they could have because of it then it will eventually make a big impact on you. If your going to be bound by law to go to school then the law might as well make it easier to do well at it.
(again, Just playing devils advocate)

[Tankbuster]

I say legalise.

Its not your problem. But it its a lot harder for the people who get pressured into using them.
and it is a factor eventually for you. If this kid gets stuck on marijuna they may not be focused at their education,or could resort to stealing to get more money for it and then they may not get a skilled job and wont contribute to the economy, which will eventually effect you. One kid isnt a big deal, but lets say 90% of students take it? a if just 5% Dont do as well as they could have because of it then it will eventually make a big impact on you. If your going to be bound by law to go to school then the law might as well make it easier to do well at it.
(again, Just playing devils advocate)

90% of students already take it.
OK, maybe a slight exagerration, but according to some polls, two thirds of American students had already taken marijuana. You have to be a realist here: the people who want to get marijuana, already get their marijuana. The only thing we can decide, is whether or not we get drug dealing out of the criminal environment and start regulating a bit.

I thought we learned this lesson a long time ago? Prohibition doesn't work.

[humvee2800]

Its not your problem. But it its a lot harder for the people who get pressured into using them.
and it is a factor eventually for you. If this kid gets stuck on marijuna they may not be focused at their education,or could resort to stealing to get more money for it and then they may not get a skilled job and wont contribute to the economy, which will eventually effect you. One kid isnt a big deal, but lets say 90% of students take it? a if just 5% Dont do as well as they could have because of it then it will eventually make a big impact on you. If your going to be bound by law to go to school then the law might as well make it easier to do well at it.
(again, Just playing devils advocate)

except legality is mainly meant for those over 18, sure kids will still get it, but how does that change anything from the way it is now

[Helm]

Only illegal to sell users shouldn't be punished for it.

[Tankbuster]

Only illegal to sell users shouldn't be punished for it.

I've always found that to be a very weird position to take. If there's nothing wrong with using it, should'nt they be able to get it somewhere?

It reminds of the Chinese policy that while selling your children is illegal, buying children is not necessary illegal.

[Helm]

If you don't lead a horse to poisoned water it can't drink it.

[Imperator Romani]

Doesn't alcohol harm just that one person? Besides when that drunk person does something harmful that he wouldn't have done otherwise.

Doesn't drugs harm just that one person? Besides when that high person does something harmful that he wouldn't have done otherwise.

I think that if they were illegal, the world would be a better place. I could give up drinking, because it doesn't benefit my life. It doesn't benefit anyone's life. Neither does drugs.

But our rights say we can do whatever the hell we want to our bodies.

[Tigrul]

But our rights say we can do whatever the hell we want to our bodies.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see you write this.

I also don't appreciate drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. I've managed to quit tobacco smoking after a bit more than 4 years as a 1 pack per day smoker, and it was quite difficult, I was very happy to pull it off (I've now got a bit more than a year since my last cigarette, and I haven't even had one single smoke out of a cigarette so far ) I also do my best to drink very little, as I don't like losing my reason, at least not to alcohol.

However, I think, and I like that you seem to have the same idea, that the state shouldn't sniff around people's business this way. It's not the state's job to make sure that we don't smoke, drink and get drugged. Even if I don't appreciate these activities, I think the state should let people decide for themselves.