If we continue along the path we are on now trying to keep drugs illegal, here’s the path we are on:

Continuing increase in violent crime because of the easy availability of guns, the enormous amounts of money generated by the sale and distribution of drugs and the very low probability of being caught. Violence related to rival organizations fighting to control and expand turf.

Drug users who don’t have the means to purchase the drugs they need and who then turn to other things like robbery and prostitution to support themselves. When they’re caught, they are prosecuted like hardened criminals. When they get out of jail, they have a record meaning they are less employable and less able to find a decent job and more susceptible to returning to crime.

More tax money spent on prison-building and the prison industry rather than on things like social services, which everyone claims to want more of to address this proble.

More money spent to hire more cops to enforce laws that don’t in reality have much deterrent effect.

All this in a vain attempt to enforce what are laws rooted in our historic temperance movements. It makes no sense whatsoever.

I would much rather see anyone who’s addicted to drugs be able to support their habit easily and cheaply. I know there are many people who are addicts but also functioning adults. OTOH, some people can’t function and those are who society should target and concentrate on helping.

The only true way to address the availability of drugs and ultimately reduce their use is to take the money out of the trade. The only way to do is to bring it above board by making drugs legal, regulated, controlled and taxed. Alcohol and cigarettes, btw, are controlled substances.

FTR, this was not my initial position about drugs. I have done an about face over the years to what I know believe.

pd