Do You Feel That "The War On Drugs" Is A Waste Of Time And Effort?

[LoneKiller]

Hi Everyone.

I don't mean to sound negative, but sadly, I believe it is a waste of time and effort.


Thanks for viewing!

 

[Badjedidude]

If you think that the end-goal of a "war on drugs" is that there'd be NO DRUGS AT ALL... then yes, it's a waste of time.

But if you think the end-goal of a "war on drugs" is to reduce drug use and prosecute/deter drug sellers and producers as much as possible, then no, it's not a waste of time.

 

[Bones]

Yes

 

[SophiaGrace]

Decriminalize it for the users, criminalize it for the dealers/growers.

 

[IgnoredOne]

No, but it can be done better. We're brilliantly halfassing it.

 

[Skorian]

if you think the end-goal of a "war on drugs" is to reduce drug use and prosecute/deter drug sellers and producers as much as possible, then no, it's not a waste of time.

Agreed.

 

[TropicalStarfish]

The war on drugs is very sad and pains me to think about.

Some facts to ponder...

More people died in the "drug war" in Mexico last year alone than all the US soldier deaths in the middle east for the entire duration of the occupation. (this might also include enemy casualities as well, but I forget if that's confirmable.)

20+ people have been killed in America so far this year. The majority of these people were just trying to run away from the cops or got confused during a no knock raid. (that number doesn't count the hundreds of unreported gang related deaths that pile up every year in poverty stricken urban areas... as well as some suburbs as well)

More people overdose on alcohol every year than all other illegal drug overdoses combined, and the upsetting part is many of those over doses such as heroin over dose have preventable counter-measures such as the opiate antogonist marketed as naloxone, which is also a scheduled substance and illegal to possess. Many people fear reporting over doses because of the penalties they will pay for being caught using illegal drugs and many people lack access to life saving drugs like naloxone due to their scheduled status. People die... that just shouldn't be dying. These life saving remedies have been around for a long time as well.

And the obvious fact that banning any form of trade in a free market society creates a black market. Alcohol used to be illegal too, but at the time it was a much more socially acceptable vice.

I don't support full legalization because people need to be educated and have guidelines and limits on there usage. And I don't support decriminalization, although it helps keep non-violent offenders out of the prison system, it does not adress the world wide problem high powered violence driven drug cartels and wars and crime that come with an unregulated black market trade.

I do hope for some form of regulation in the future. The war on drugs is about as effective as the idea of no sex before marriage. And I suspect it will begin to crumble and be replaced with support pillars composed of education and enlightened legislation. Sure there are a few people who seriously attempt to commit to not having sex before marriage, but for the rest of us, education, condoms, birth control, and talking helps a whole lot more than turning a blind eye. The war on drugs is flashing red and blue lights, invading privacy rights, enforcing and fueling feuds and fights, detaining, imprisoning, knocking down doors, shooting people, killing people, breeding war lords, hemorrhaging currency into foreign markets, police corruption, and top it all off... When the war on drugs makes progress and puts a big dealer behind bars for many years, he/she's welcomed into a prison system where, guess what, you can buy illegal drugs.

 

[Fvantom]

the government needs to stop dictating what we can or cannot do with our own bodies, cannabis has been used for thousands of years, its proven to be a powerful medicine and a safe recreational drug, the only reason its illegal is that its other use, hemp, would put many industries out of business literally overnight.

for hard drugs on the other hand, I agree with keeping those off the streets, but think about this, part of the drug war involves lies about how "marijuana is terrible, its the worst drug out there" well when people realize that its not, theyre gonna think, what else are they lying about, and might question the danger of hard drugs.

 

[IgnoredOne]

"However, in July 2000, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, collaborating with the United Nations to eradicate heroin production in Afghanistan, declared that growing poppies was un-Islamic, resulting in one of the world's most successful anti-drug campaigns. As a result of this ban, opium poppy cultivation was reduced by 91% from the previous year's estimate of 82,172 hectares."

It is entirely possible to win. We just don't seem to have the fortitude to go through with what is necessary.

 

[Fvantom]

"However, in July 2000, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, collaborating with the United Nations to eradicate heroin production in Afghanistan, declared that growing poppies was un-Islamic, resulting in one of the world's most successful anti-drug campaigns. As a result of this ban, opium poppy cultivation was reduced by 91% from the previous year's estimate of 82,172 hectares."

It is entirely possible to win. We just don't seem to have the fortitude to go through with what is necessary.

thats because in this country were going after the wrong targets, theyre targeting cannabis when they should be focused on taking down meth labs

 

[IgnoredOne]

thats because in this country were going after the wrong targets, theyre targeting cannabis when they should be focused on taking down meth labs

You can destroy anything if you apply sufficient ruthlessness to it and accept the ramnifications of its enforcement. Cannabis, too, can be eliminated if we simply aim to wipe out the entire plant from existence - something that is within our grasp with genetic engineering these days.

 

[Skorian]

thats because in this country were going after the wrong targets, theyre targeting cannabis when they should be focused on taking down meth labs

You can destroy anything if you apply sufficient ruthlessness to it and accept the ramnifications of its enforcement. Cannabis, too, can be eliminated if we simply aim to wipe out the entire plant from existence - something that is within our grasp with genetic engineering these days.

Ya, ruthlessness like the Taliban. Do we want the US to be like Afghanistan?

At what cost? What is the point of the drug war? To end drug use? Or to better man kind? At what point do things become counter productive?

How does it better humanity to go to excessive lengths? Punishing those who have hurt no one is a problem.

Do you think drugs can actually be wiped out? I think the problem would just come back. It would cost a fortune money wise and in terms of human well being.

 

[sentiententity]

thats because in this country were going after the wrong targets, theyre targeting cannabis when they should be focused on taking down meth labs

You can destroy anything if you apply sufficient ruthlessness to it and accept the ramnifications of its enforcement. Cannabis, too, can be eliminated if we simply aim to wipe out the entire plant from existence - something that is within our grasp with genetic engineering these days.

But why eliminate cannabis? And how would a world with ruthless governments be better than a world with useful herbal medicine?

Anyways, when it comes to cannabis, it's more of a culture war than something based on science or practical reasoning. Some of the old anti-pot propaganda is quite racist.

Prohibition is going as swimmingly this time around. Enriching violent drug lords, imprisoning tons of people unnecessarily (with our tax money), etc.

Who knows, maybe the great recession will help bring an end to this prohibition as the great depression did the first time around.

Ah I'm rambling. Need my morning coffee...

 

[IgnoredOne]

Prohibition had useful results and quite possibly decreased alcohol usage overall; it has certainly added a stigma to alcoholism that was not present before. Nothing has no result.

And I despise drugs and drug users. Any ruthlessness is acceptable for so necessary an end.

Anyone who knows my history knows why. And no, this is not somewhere where I have a rational discussion on this on. It is, however, an excellent way to earn my enduring hate by trying to have one with me.

 

[Chasm]

cannabis hysteria/negativity
ty Dupont
(only sum will undrstnd this)

 

[Sci-Fi]

But if you think the end-goal of a "war on drugs" is to reduce drug use and prosecute/deter drug sellers and producers as much as possible, then no, it's not a waste of time.

This.

 

[Minus]

"However, in July 2000, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, collaborating with the United Nations to eradicate heroin production in Afghanistan, declared that growing poppies was un-Islamic, resulting in one of the world's most successful anti-drug campaigns. As a result of this ban, opium poppy cultivation was reduced by 91% from the previous year's estimate of 82,172 hectares."

It looks like it didn't take.

After paying household and farming expenses, the farmer said, he had hardly broken even, especially after everyone else took their share, the labourers who helped with the harvest and the mullah who, in rural Afghanistan, is supported collectively by the congregation.

Then there was the Taleban to pay. They take a tax, known as ushr, 10% of the harvest from farmers living in areas under their control.

It is a major revenue stream for the insurgency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7489871.stm



Afghan opium production 'rises by 61%' compared with 2010

Experts say the Taliban's involvement in the drugs trade ranges from direct involvement - such as providing farmers with seed, fertiliser and cash advances for their crop - to distribution and protection.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15254788

 

[IgnoredOne]

It looks like it didn't take.

After paying household and farming expenses, the farmer said, he had hardly broken even, especially after everyone else took their share, the labourers who helped with the harvest and the mullah who, in rural Afghanistan, is supported collectively by the congregation.

Then there was the Taleban to pay. They take a tax, known as ushr, 10% of the harvest from farmers living in areas under their control.

It is a major revenue stream for the insurgency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7489871.stm



Afghan opium production 'rises by 61%' compared with 2010

Experts say the Taliban's involvement in the drugs trade ranges from direct involvement - such as providing farmers with seed, fertiliser and cash advances for their crop - to distribution and protection.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15254788

Of course it wouldn't have taken - it would only be successful while a driven central government kept making people stone family members for violating its directions. Shame is more powerful than death, and when both come together, it indeed serves effectively to discourage.

The moment that such concerns were both removed and pragmaticism determined otherwise, you could hardly expect any form of idealism to survive.

Its still surprisingly successful as such campaigns go and indictive that if there is a will to do whatever that is necessary, there is a way. Its a heartening thought.

 

[Fvantom]

Prohibition had useful results and quite possibly decreased alcohol usage overall; it has certainly added a stigma to alcoholism that was not present before. Nothing has no result.

And I despise drugs and drug users. Any ruthlessness is acceptable for so necessary an end.

Anyone who knows my history knows why. And no, this is not somewhere where I have a rational discussion on this on. It is, however, an excellent way to earn my enduring hate by trying to have one with me.

thats something you need to get over. I dont know your history but Ive known people who have problems with drugs, if youre only talking about cannabis, you seriously need to get over that, real drugs are bad I wont argue with that, but the drug war has DESTROYED innocent lives over NOTHING! Theres people getting killed in Mexico because of all this.

If you support the drug war, you support every life lost in cartel wars, you support every young life that has been shattered by the corrupt legal system, and you support the idea that the government can simply tell people what they can or cant do in the privacy of their own homes "just because"

(again Im talking about Cannabis, but other drugs, while bad, need to be regulated in some way shape or form, because those are the drugs that make the black market all the more dangerous)

 

[Ak5]

Legalize it all, people who come to the ER due to overdosing get left for dead.

Pro-drug people get their drugs.
Anti-drug people see the pro-drug people's tombstones.

Win-win.