Pd, you keep pushing the notion that if drugs and prostitution were legal, we’d see less of it. I just don’t see that as realistic. You put forth the proposition that if government repeals anti-drug laws, users would “come out of the closet”, so to speak, for treatment, as if the only thing between an addict and recovery is the law. I believe that, too often, the only thing that facilitates recovery for an addict IS the law.

Again, I believe most non-violent users belong in rehabilitation, not prison, but unfortunately often times it takes court-mandated rehab for positive change to occur. If society didn’t have that power, we’d take a giant step backwards in our anti-drug efforts. Drug addicts that WANT to change (and just need a firm but helping hand) really aren’t the issue here. I’m referring to the truly “hard cases” – those that need to be sent to rehab to confront their problems.Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom before you’re able to begin lifting yourself up. If drugs were legalized, there would be no way to reach those individuals, putting themselves and those around them at great risk.

On another note, I too enjoy sex, pd. Whether or not somebody enjoys sex isn’t the issue regarding prostitution. Again, very few (if any) men or women planned a career in the sex trade. People selling their bodies as a means of survival or method of payment for a habit isn’t exactly something that should be facilitated (or profited upon) by the government. On another note, by your comment on the age of consent, I take it that you would indeed draw age limits for legalized drug use and prostitution? Even so, you’re fine with the notion of a 16 year-old prostitute walking the streets?

Pd, I agree that government cannot legislate morality. However, that doesn’t mean it must facilitate destructive personal behavior. I wouldn’t want to live under a government that only shows concern for a young addict or prostitute when they’re late in filing their taxes.