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...Without question, drug use will skyrocket. ...

But what I am interested in is the negative externalities associated with increased drug use. Without question, drug use will skyrocket. How is that a "solution"?

Will you start snorting coke, shooting heroin or smoking meth Rob, just because it's legal?

I know I wouldn't...

I agree with Bill Buckley on this question, viz., "I came to the conclusion that the so-called war against drugs was not working, that it would not work absent a change in the structure of the civil rights to which we are accustomed and to which we cling as a valuable part of our patrimony. And that therefore if that war against drugs is not working, we should look into what effects the war has, a canvass of the casualties consequent on its failure to work."

"I have not spoken of the cost to our society of the astonishing legal weapons available now to policemen and prosecutors; of the penalty of forfeiture of one's home and property for violation of laws which, though designed to advance the war against drugs, could legally be used -- I am told by learned counsel -- as penalties for the neglect of one's pets. I leave it at this, that it is outrageous to live in a society whose laws tolerate sending young people to life in prison because they grew, or distributed, a dozen ounces of marijuana. I would hope that the good offices of your vital profession would mobilize at least to protest such excesses of wartime zeal, the legal equivalent of a My Lai massacre. And perhaps proceed to recommend the legalization of the sale of most drugs, except to minors."

I work in the court system. I see first hand the personal carnage that methamphetamine wreaks in the lives of people who use it. At least four things happen: their health goes to [bleep] (which means I have to pay for their decision to abuse drugs); their kids turn to [bleep] (which means I have to pick-up the tab for them too); they turn to property crimes to feed their habit (which means they steal my property and I have to pay for police protection and jails in consequence of their behavior) and finally, they can't work, which means I have to buy their groceries and pay their rent.

So if drug use goes way up (which it will with legalization, don't kid yourself) then these negative externalities will also skyrocket.

How is that situation a "solution"?

Rob---You are so wrong it's not even funny. The fact that you work and derive your income from the "court system" is enough impetus for you to continue with your war on drugs. Without the failed war many jobs like yours would dry up.

I understand your position better now. It's not supported by your care of freedom or your love for your neighbor but rather it's founded in the need for self-preservation. In this case $$ money $$.

Drug use regarding the hard and deadly drugs will not go up. If anything, it will go down. Lots of people start drugs BECAUSE it's illegal and provides a thrill. Take that away and I believe in the long run fewer will get involved. Most everybody knows the issues that come with meth, crack, and heroin. None of those issues encourage use, but some get caught up just because they went in for the thrill of doing something illegal. Probably started with pot and found their life ruined when they got involved with the real [bleep].

You can never have a worse society with more freedom, but that would also require that entitlements be severely curtailed as they are contra-freedom and responsibility not only encouraged but mandated.

I work in the court system. I see first hand the personal carnage that methamphetamine wreaks in the lives of people who use it. At least four things happen: their health goes to [bleep] (which means I have to pay for their decision to abuse drugs); their kids turn to [bleep] (which means I have to pick-up the tab for them too); they turn to property crimes to feed their habit (which means they steal my property and I have to pay for police protection and jails in consequence of their behavior) and finally, they can't work, which means I have to buy their groceries and pay their rent.

So if drug use goes way up (which it will with legalization, don't kid yourself) then these negative externalities will also skyrocket.

How is that situation a "solution"?

As Buckley said 1) the War On Drugs is, according to all measures, an abject failure, and 2) there have been highly undesirable consequences to our society which have been observed since the start of the War On Drugs, which he gave a few good examples of. That's enough for me right there. Logically, there's no need in my opinion to proceed further than that in order to convince any reasonable, liberty loving, American to see the wisdom of drug legalization for adults.

In our county and (surrounding counties) there are massive social service structures in place who are quite busy taking custody of children who are horribly abused and neglected because their parents are meth heads. Our jails are quite well populated with men who beat their wives (and their kids) while high on meth. The case load for these service and police agencies is going to go way up in certain respects with legalization. How is that a solution? Just askin.

Horseschitt. Those with a propensity to use drugs will. Those who don't wont. Just like alcohol and alcoholics.

The only thing legalization will do is undermine the black-market profits that the dealers and suppliers are exploiting now.

When was the last time you heard of liquor merchants having a shootout or organizing into criminal organizations?

BTW, since we are exhibiting our bona fides, I too work in the legal industry on the street where it all takes place.

...The only thing legalization will do is undermine the black-market profits...

You do realize that the video is almost a year old, right? As I recall, it cased a minor uproar, and the reverends sharpton and jackson went back to making money off of racism.

Rob---I did re-read your posts and I don't want this debate to go south because I think you're a good guy but on this issue I KNOW you are completely wrong.

Your war on drugs has been a failure and you admit that it has been.




How could that be Rob? It's illegal and your "war on drugs" is the solution.

BTW---The jails are full and the court system is overwhelmed BECAUSE of the war on drugs. I don't think that legalizing all drugs will make those folks predisposed to drug use stop nor do I believe that non drug users will begin shooting heroin. What I do know is that those in jail for possession wouldn't be clogging the system for victim less crimes.

...and reduce crime and furlough a bunch of LE.

Not just LEO but attorneys, counselors, jailers and other gov't tit sucking leaches.