“I ask all these questions because it’s important to flesh out exactly what the libertarian means when he attacks the “war on drugs,” what he means by that term and what he thinks the solution is. Always an interesting journey. “
Drugs are dangerous. Drugs are bad. But the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. We’ve created what I think are dangerous paramilitary organizations that now don’t want anything different except to give them yet more money and more power and more arms. What we need is education, treatment and other types of penalties. Our present “justice” system isn’t working. Our present prison system is producing more problems yet. Can’t we at least discuss a different approach?
One of the problems with the current system is a soft criminal "justice" system on repeat offenders. This is the liberals' baby, and it is rendering most law enforcement ineffective. I know, because I was once a cop, and people I'd arrest for drug offenses were often out on the street within weeks, if not days.
Overwhelmingly, these people don't want treatment. When they do agree to it, it's to put on the air of improving themselves while they are under scrutiny; when they get out from under watchful eyes, they go right back, often worse. The answer is to lock many of these repeat offenders up and all but throw away the key. But criminal-loving liberal judges just throw a wrench in the system of real punishment and justice, until the dealer/user commits a murder, rape or burglary to fuel his habit.