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I'd love to hear a reasoned discussion for and against the complete legalization of all drugs. My feeling is that if you're so stupid as to use them, you deserve what you get and society doesn't owe you one cent in rehab costs.
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I will give you the argument for.
First off, look at what happened during prohibition. The banning of alcohol created more crime and violence then did the drug itself. Decriminalizing drugs would make the streets MUCH safer. No longer would you have to deal with criminals and derelicts to get drugs.
You have to admit the crime rate would plummet, simply because the profit margin would vanish. The government could tax it, thus filling their filthy coffers ever further.
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You are absolutely right. The reason why we have so many problems with drugs today is because they have been criminalized. The first drug laws, particularly against marijuana were aimed at the Chinese and the Mexicans to try to keep them out of the country. Because drugs are illegal, people who do use drugs are forced to go to criminals to get drugs.
If drugs were legalized, they would be a million times safer. They could be regulated in some way by the government, like we have with alcohol.
On the other hand, I don't think I want to live in a society where PCP use is commonplace and cocaine can be purchased next to Tylenol.
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Where is personal responsibility in your argument? You don't want drugs to be available, however alcohol and cigarettes are readily available at any store. Alochol my friend is MUCH more dangerous then marijuana, and we all know the health concerns with cigs. Sure SOME people may try drugs as a result of legalization when the otherwise my not but that is their decision, and what I feel is their right.
So much of our tax dollars are spent on this "war on drugs" which has accomplished what? I don't use drugs, but with 15 minutes and a cell phone, I could practically get any drug I wanted to. Have the laws stopped me from getting drugs? NO. Have the laws made it more dangerous for me to do something I might do anyway? ABSOLUTELY.
Personal responsibility should be first and foremost in this argument. Most drug users are not addicts, more like occasional users. The drug addicts are a very very small minority of drug users.
The bottom line of my argument, is that my life is my life. You should have no right to tell me what I can do with my own body.
PEOPLE USE DRUGS REGARDLESS OF LAWS. We might as well make it safer for those who do.