Time to talk about the war on drugs, the hidden epidemic.

[bob10]

Portugal's 15 years of decriminalised drug policy , they go after the dealers, but don't treat users as criminals. Goes against what I think, but the "WAR ON DRUGS" is not working. Is there a better way, I wonder?

Portugal: Fifteen years of decriminalised drug policy - News from Al Jazeera (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/10/portugal-fifteen-years-decriminalised-drug-policy-161015091127668.html)

[bob10]

What's the solution to the World's drug problem? Is there one? For the first time,in 20 years , the UN is holding a special session on drug policy.

What's the solution to the world's drug problem? - Al Jazeera English (http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2016/04/solution-world-drug-problem-160419192910455.html)

[bsperka]

The war on drugs has been running longer than any other modern conflict. Since the 1920s?

[bob10]

The war on drugs has been running longer than any other modern conflict. Since the 1920s?

In 1971 President Richard Nixon declared war on drugs. He proclaimed, "America's public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. In order to fight and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive". As with most things American, most of the Western World followed.

[Jesters Td5]

Just one question

How does one actually wage war on a noun?

To my counting there has been 4 wars on a noun and none have ever ended and none look like ending.

Just saying

Sent from my A51f using AULRO mobile app

[Ean Austral]

I read a book on the Columbian drug lords, and they had the view that a kilo of drugs was worth more than a kilo of gold and far cheaper and easier to make and get , so people making and selling drugs was never going to end.


I don't know the answers but when you think about it they are right in how they look at it, and people seem to be lining up to purchase what they push.


Then you have the situation where proberly the worse drug ever, Alcohol ,is legal and readily available and would at a guess cost society far more than any illegal drug ever will.




Cheers Ean

[trog]

Would there be a truce if the worlds governments could / would tax these drugs ?

[Milton477]

I often wonder what would be the result if all drugs were legalised.
Better, cheaper regulated product made by proper drug companies?
Tax paid to gov?
Less crime because drugs will be cheaper?
Police can re-direct resources elsewhere?
More/less users?
Unthinkable idea?

[EastFreo]

Having seen first-hand my younger brother descend from weed to various pills and now meth I am not sure what the answer is. However, I have seen the impact it has had on our family with his kid now in my parent's care, my mother having had to take out a restraining order as she has been threatened with death numerous times and much much more.

Once upon a time I probably supported a softer approach. Not now.

[bsperka]

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/researchers-politicians-slam-war-drugs-failure/.
Drug prohibition is also considered part of the war. What would be the effects of stopping it? Less crime, less cops (or better use of their time), less people in jail ( esp USA), more taxes if legalised?

[bob10]

I honestly don't know the answer. I didn't realise how deeply entrenched it was in our society until our own family was touched by it. Our two eldest sons and almost all of their male cohort tried weed. Some moved on to harder drugs, some died, some committed suicide, most dropped out of society , these are all boys who came from stable middle class families. None came from broken families, didn't fit that stereotype. Those who moved on to heroin or similar, ended up on the street. No jobs, they turned to crime for money for drugs. Very few girls of their cohort did this. Puzzled, I quizzed those whom I knew well enough that they would talk to me, they started out because of peer pressure, and the rush from risk taking, doing something illegal, thumbing their nose at the system. Much the same as my generation started sneaking into pubs for that sneaky drink.

Most said they moved onto stronger stuff because they didn't want their mates to think they were wimps.Thankfully, most of these took a step back when they saw what they were getting into. Those that didn't, became full blown addicts, and took up selling the stuff to get more drugs. There seems to be no end of suppliers to help them do that.

Addicts lie, steal, beg , their personalities change, they become unrecognisable to their family & friends. What to do? Back in the day of my sons'cohort, they had no dedicated programs at school on the danger of drugs. Sure, people such as police would come in before " schoolies" [ another practice I disagree with, schoolies] and talk on the danger, but what hyped up year 12 student is going to listen?. Besides, by then it's too late. I believe the dangers of drugs should be part of the school curriculum, [ perhaps it is now, but I'm willing to bet it isn't] From year 7 onwards, children should be educated , shown videos of the destruction drugs brings to families, recovering addicts should be made to go to schools and let the kids know first hand what drugs can do to them. That should be part of their rehab.. I know first hand how difficult it is to turn young people away from drugs once they are into them. Watch your children closely, if their personalities change, they become different people, question them, watch who their friends are, no matter what remain a friend, don't push them away. Let them know they have a home to come to, if they need to get away from the drug scene. Apart from that, all that is left is prayer.