How to Kill the Meth Monster

nytimes.com ^ | ROB BOVETT | ROB BOVETT

[tdscpa]

Pain in my ass, too. Probably not a problem for people who live next door to a store that sells it at a reasonable price.

I have to drive 55 miles to buy it. Every two months I drive the 110 mile round trip, and visit four different drug stores, and (illegally) buy 15 tablets from each, so I have enough for two months.

I suppose soon they will improve their enforcement of the stupid law, so I have to drive that 110 miles every 15 days, just to buy the Claritin I need to be able to breathe.

[coloradan]

I asked a question, I didn’t say it was wonderful. Is it acceptable to ask questions in your world?

The drug warriors wanted a war, and it looks like one is starting to break out in Mexico and our southern border. It might well be that meth actually does, by itself, cause all the harms seen in the before/after pictures. But one has to weigh that cost with the cost of all the murders and violence and collateral damage to the Constitution in this country, as a result of the drug war.

The fact that drugs are illegal means the criminal element, including the terrorists in the Middle East, have an avenue to enrich themselves filling a niche for demand that the drug warriors are powerless to stop, unless you want to imagine things far more drastic than are already occurring. They can’t even keep drugs out of maximum-security prisons; I don’t know what you imagine would be appropriate steps to take outside of them.

Speaking of pure hell.

[Cedar]

I’m all for strong punishments like countries overseas. Threat of execution is a mighty good deterrent, though I know even that doesn’t stop the completely insane who will still chance it.

There is war on the border, and unfortunately, our government ignores it. But it could be dealt with and stopped. What about another shock and awe?

There are ways to deal with the problem besides legalizing drug usage. People like to use alcohol being legalized as a comparison for getting rid of problems. But there’s a huge difference between people taking a couple of drinks and people taking two hits of acid.

Easy legal access to meth, heroin, acid...? Can’t imagine the condition this country would turn into.

[dr_who]

Can’t say I’ve thought about it.

[FourPeas]

I have a prescription for an allergy medication that contains pseudoephedrine and it's still a royal pain in the rear to get the prescription filled. I live in a county known for having a lot of meth labs. Just as with gun control laws, the only people obeying the law and jumping through all the hoops are the law abiding citizens. I'm being punished because of the behaviour of other people who make bad life choices. This shouldn't be The American Way.