Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Is America Ready to Decriminalize Meth and Heroin?
National Review ^ | February 11, 2020 | David Harsanyi

Posted on 02/11/2020 7:49:42 PM PST by karpov

In 1969, the height of the Sixties’ cultural revolution, Pew found that only 12 percent of Americans supported the legalization of pot. Fifty years later, 67 percent of voters support it. Virtually every candidate on the Democratic presidential slate backs some form of marijuana legalization. Even the Trump administration has left states to manage their own business on the matter. This year, at least one candidate supports going further and decriminalizing all drugs.

On Sunday, Fox News’ Chris Wallace pushed Iowa caucus winner Pete Buttigieg to explain his support for the “decriminalization” of all narcotics.

First, he asked Buttigieg whether laws act as a deterrent to those willing trying “meth and heroin” for the first time. Buttigieg dissembled, and never answered the question. One supposes, “this is America, Chris, and if someone wants to freebase it’s none of my business,” is still tad bit too libertarian for the average American voter.

...

Yet when Wallace pushed Buttigieg to clarify what decriminalization might entail, he couldn’t provide any specifics, declaring that we shouldn’t worry about the “legal niceties” but rather about the failures of the drug war.

Well, the difference between a felony, a misdemeanor, or no punishment at all isn’t a legal nicety, it’s the distinction between criminalization and decriminalization, as anyone with a criminal record will tell you.

Specifics are going to be important. Most Americans have had at last some interaction with pot, which, though it might make us useless or stupid, won’t kill us. When you start talking about meth and heroin, average Americans probably start picturing drug supermarkets on Main Street, kids shooting up behind 7/11s, and resultant criminality.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: agency; buttigieg; dea; drugenforcement; drugs; drugsonline; heroin; medicalheroin; medicalmeth; meth; prisonisntworking; supplyanddemand; wod
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-76 next last
Is America ready to go "hard libertarian"? Let people use heroin, but if they destroy their bodies and minds, they are free to starve and freeze outside, with only private charity to possibly help them. I don't think so.

If we decriminalize hard drugs, I bet we'll end up paying more for food stamps, Social Security disability, and other welfare programs to support more addicts. So I oppose decriminalizing.

1 posted on 02/11/2020 7:49:42 PM PST by karpov
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: karpov

War on drugs. We surrender!


2 posted on 02/11/2020 7:52:10 PM PST by DownInFlames (Galsd)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

America wants cheap legal and all drugs and virtually no police. We also want a min wage that’ll cost $50t over 10 years for a lousy $500 a month.

But by FAR most Americans want and demand legal drugs.


3 posted on 02/11/2020 7:52:18 PM PST by Monty22002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

That would be the end.


4 posted on 02/11/2020 7:52:22 PM PST by immadashell (Save Innocent Lives - ban gun free zones)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

Translation: Is America ready for Buttplug?


5 posted on 02/11/2020 7:53:13 PM PST by Fungi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

If we are going for lawlessness, then remove all laws. But that’s not what they are doing. They are promoting evil and crushing good.


6 posted on 02/11/2020 7:56:32 PM PST by Dogbert41 (Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

Fentanyl?


7 posted on 02/11/2020 8:00:30 PM PST by Pearls Before Swine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

We see the results from the “other” libtards in San Fran and LA. Neither of them are worth listening to


8 posted on 02/11/2020 8:03:33 PM PST by Bommer (I am a MAGA-Deplorian! It is the way! It is the only way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

I don’t mind idiots destroying their own lives with drugs, but too often they destroy the lives of their children, too.


9 posted on 02/11/2020 8:06:27 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (If gun ownership by private citizens scares DemocRats, the 2nd Amendment is doing its job.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov
It would devastate families. They would be helpless to stop loved ones from destroying their lives before their eyes.

I have a cousin whose son used heroin. He looked like zombie but luckily he stopped using (though I suspect he could easily begin using any moment now that he believes he has it under control).

On the other hand, there would be a sell-culling of the weak who can't resist temptation. Hopefully people would learn to make the right choice and avoid drugs after seeing what unrestricted use can do.

10 posted on 02/11/2020 8:07:15 PM PST by yesthatjallen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

What? Will I still get arrested for acid?

Seriously, this is criminal. Both of those drugs are devastating.


11 posted on 02/11/2020 8:08:16 PM PST by Yogafist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

Self Cleaning Oven.

I’m good with it.

I see nothing in my copy of the constitution wherein the federal government is given any authority over what I put in my body, only by implication the authority to punish me if I harm others as a result.


12 posted on 02/11/2020 8:11:22 PM PST by RedStateRocker (Nuke Mecca. Deport all illegals. Abolish the DEA, IRS and ATF,.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

Give out free 2 week supply of heroine at the welfare office. Every 2nd Wednesday, the dependent class mysteriously shrinks.


13 posted on 02/11/2020 8:20:14 PM PST by Mr. Blond
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Blond

How many of you would like to try ecstasy(under medical supervision). Illegal everywhere in the world.


14 posted on 02/11/2020 8:24:07 PM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

How about legalizing drugs in old folks homes?


15 posted on 02/11/2020 8:25:28 PM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: karpov

I’d say keep it criminal but change sentencing for users (not dealers) with a strong treatment-instead-of-jail option. Addiction is unique in that it’s both a disease and a crime (at least in its effects on society). I think the law should recognize that. Give addicts a chance at treatment. If they don’t make it, then leave them to their fate, and put them in jail for the non-drug crimes (trespass, vandalism, petty theft, etc.) that addicts inevitably commit. We should reinstitute the vagrancy laws. If you’re living on the street with no visible means of support then you need to either shape up, go to treatment, or go to jail. We need to thread the needle on this - not saying there’s an easy solution.


16 posted on 02/11/2020 8:28:06 PM PST by Thilly Thailor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov
Go the way of Zurich?

The Swiss Heroin Experiment


17 posted on 02/11/2020 8:35:47 PM PST by Daffynition (*Mega Dittoes and Mega Prayers* & :))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

China is just itching for revenge for the Opium Dens, they’ve never forgotten.


18 posted on 02/11/2020 8:38:00 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Thilly Thailor

Here’s an easy solution: anyone caught smuggling opioids into the US is executed. They are bringing death into our country. That’s a capital crime.


19 posted on 02/11/2020 8:38:02 PM PST by Torahman (Remember the Maccabees)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Dogbert41

I just don’t know where to run to.......


20 posted on 02/11/2020 8:38:17 PM PST by cherry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-76 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson