[justlurking]

The solution to the problem is not legalizing drugs. Its more than just an economic problem. Drugs are addictive. They destroy the individual and organized society politically, economically and socially. The distribution of power becomes skewed, the distribution of wealth becomes unrelated to effort, and the culture becomes debauched.

This is almost exactly the same argument made for (alcohol) Prohibition. It was a bad idea then, it's a bad idea now.

That's what actually happens when drugs like these are legalized. I mean we manage, just barely, to function with alcohol as a legalized substance.Opiates added to the mix, for example, of recreational possibilities without medical prescription would be around 90% addictive for most individuals, and about 20% addictive after their first trial.

I'm not pretending that mood-altering drugs are benign. But, the cost of drug prohibition is far higher than drug legalization. We have paid a heavy price in the loss of civil liberties, the militarization of police forces, and daily warfare on the border and in our cities among gangs engaging in "competition".

So I wonder why we lack the hutzpa to face the facts? The legalization remedy is too myopic, and like meddling with one aspect of nature, there are many unforeseen destructive consequences. What happened in China with opium proves that.

You point to China, I point to the US only 80 years ago. I think the latter is a more contemporary (and relevant) example.

[Candor7]

Nah! Alcohol and Opiates are commpletely different. Thats why no body is buying the argument these days.

The China model rules for the whole world.

You push legalization of drugs in Mexico, you end up dead.Same in Afghanistan. Ofcourse thise who believe it possible do not seem to have the courage to convince the sources of supply? Go figure.