A note on the legalizing drugs issue

[cybercoma]

Just wondering, say all drugs were legalized...how many people would start doing coke, heroin, meth, etc...

[plusgood]

The idea of legalization casuing mass consumption is a very frightening thought. However, given that drugs are already readily availiable to those who want to do them, I'm of the opinion there wouldn't be an increase. There's already extensive education availiable about the ill effects of drugs, those who choose to ignore the information and who enjoy drug use will do it whether it is legal or not. If what I said is infact true then the shifting of funds from enforcement through the police and legal system to treatment and education might have a positive impact on lowering the levels of drugs use. With that said I still support criminalizing hard drugs because of the clear ill effect their use has on the greater society. Soft drugs like marijuana is a different issue.

[plusgood]

Sorry, I didn't see there was an already well developed debate just below.

[Black Dog]

Just wondering, say all drugs were legalized...how many people would start doing coke, heroin, meth, etc...

Probably no more than do now. Illicit narcotics are easy enough to get that if one has it in mind to get 'em, one can. An increase in supply does not necessarily lead to an increase in demand.

[FTA Lawyer]

Just wondering, say all drugs were legalized...how many people would start doing coke, heroin, meth, etc...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't do these drugs primarily because they are dangerous...less so because they are illegal.

BUT...I'm not so sure that when I was 18 (and invincible) it wasn't more because it was illegal.

Worse yet...I was probably 14 when I first got ill drinking alcohol...without my parent's knowledge of course. If cocaine were offered to me at that same party simply because it was readily acceptable for cocaine to be out at a party I can't say I would not have taken it.

I'm for legalizing marijuana, but nothing else for now.

FTA Lawyer