[Torquay]

You have things absolutely backwards! The problem is personal responsiblility and behavior not drug prohibition. Prohibition of narcotics and illicit drugs over many years is a consequence of bad behavior directy associated with said illicit drugs which increase societal crimes and bad behavior. In your form of logic all bad behavior and crime should be decriminalized, e.g murder, rape, etc? I know, I know... it is only hurting the individual partaking in the drugging of themselves, right? You would be horribly wrong!

The problem is personal responsiblility, or lack of period! You think crime is bad now? Legalize illicit drugs, and get ready for crime to increase exponentially! It is a moral and societal issue. Spend some time reading up on 19th century China societie's problems with opium. They dealt with it finally in a severe and effective way to save their culture. We do not need history repeating itself here in this regard.

[coloradan]

People shot up speakeasies during the Prohibition; that behavior has ceased now that alcohol is legal. People can brew their own wine and beer, or buy it at the store, there are no massive profits heading to criminal organizations now even though alcohol is legal (and your arguments were made in opposition to making it so). Furthermore, the Prohibition has created the BATFE, and the Kennedy clan has risen to political power, both of which we are still living with today. Prohibition is a cure worse than the disease, and the same is true with respect to drug prohibition.

Incidentally, your comments about “personal responsibility” ring hollow, if you want to make it a “federal responsibility” instead. Personal responsibility means people are responsible for their behavior, and will suffer if they choose poorly. It doesn’t mean sending in teams of thugs at 3AM, to shoot the family dog (at least) and maybe a whole lot more. That’s State responsibility.