Legalise drugs or not ... vote

OK, read the thread about dope. Similar subject maybe a tad more radical but here we go. IMO we should legalise the stuff. All of it (pills, dope, hash, heroin, crack, extasy etc) and now. You should be able to buy it in Tesco, ASDA or any corner shop for that matter. You can buy drugs now if you want to anyway so why not do it this way? IMO there would not be more users than now. Far from it. We would stop the drug dealers getting rich and crime would drop dramatically too (I am sure high % is drug related at the moment so junkies need cach to get their fix). All the money in goverment pocket could pay for adverts and drugs education. Police would have more time to deal with real problems and not chasing drug dealers. This is contra-productive anyway as you lock one up and another one is selling before you take the first one away. I understand that it is a radical step and many would hate it and oppose strongly, but surelly there is a logic in this? Am I right?

Please note I do not agree with drugs taking, but I believe in freedom of action and I honestly believe all country would benefit from this.

Originally Posted by Dave The Rave

Please note I do not agree with drugs taking, but I believe in freedom of action and I honestly believe all country would benefit from this.

No thats a really dumb idea. If heroin is legal, then a lot of people will get the message that it is ok and take it. Weed might well be fine for a bit, but heroin will totally screw you up very quickly. Not everyone is clever enough to live in the society you envisage.

To be honest, if cocaine was for sale in Tesco I'd probably try some myself, and I am pretty anti-drugs.

[timwilky]

Codswallop. We have enough problems in this country with those that want to destroy their lives/bodies, without making it easier for them.

Ask anyone who has worked an A&E dept and sees the same faces every week.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Codswallop. We have enough problems in this country with those that want to destroy their lives/bodies, without making it easier for them.

Ask anyone who has worked an A&E dept and sees the same faces every week.

Tim this is all the point. I worked for Turning Point not that long ago (massive substance missuse org.) People who deal with the drugs everyday think this would actually help. I do not believe for a second that people would start taking it because you can buy it. If you want it now you can. That is all the point. It is "almost" as easy as walking into Tesco to get some, but you finance crime with your dosh instead of diverting the money to fight the real problem. Once a smack head you have a little chance to stop but now every one was, is or will be a drug adict.

[G]

I voted no on the basis that i dont think it would make a blind bit of difference.

Thinking it would sort out crime and the economy is very optmistic, not in this lifetime though.

Drugs aren't that easy to come by..

If people are in the 'scene', then yeah, people will have an easier time getting it but in reality, drugs don't blight every single person's door and most wouldn't have ready access to the product. Most long term addicts are targeted because of their weak nature by unscrupulous dealers and constantly leaned upon because they know they will always say 'yes'

By sticking it on the shelf not only are you making it easy for the people that have easy access but your also introducing a whole new market..(ie: the ones that don't know much about it..)

Stupid idea IMO.

i vote yes

i think it makes short and long term econiomic sence and long term social sence.

It will never happen mind, as people are afraid of change. People fear the fabric of society will erode and there will be hundreds of thousands of druggys rampaging the steets. Really not going to happen. Drugs are everywhere already, just behind closed doors, so if legalised and brought into the open, there would be an APPARENT increase in users.

Originally Posted by Welsh_Wizard

Drugs aren't that easy to come by most wouldn't have ready access to the product

I have lived in 3 different counties, in about 5 different cities in the UK (yeah ive had a displaced up bringing) and you know what, drugs are everywhere! In the rich areas, in the poor areas, everywhere. If you really want to do drugs, it would only take one or two small conversations to find out who knows about what in any area, I honestly kid you not.