quote:

Originally posted by Q5echo ok, but i only see numbers reflecting a decline, albeit slight, in 13-15 yr olds and 16-18 yr. olds. the 60% increase in total addicts is among all ages. i can give you similar numbers among grade schoolers here in America and we've done squat to de-criminalize anything that article isn't telling the whole story

I think that money saved from prosecuting people for possession and then holding them in a box for several years would be far better spent not only providing "free" substance rehabilitation programs [as per the article] but also completely reforming the D.A.R.E. program or something to the effect. The massive cultural stigma on substance abuse isn't completely unwarranted, but it also has the annoying factor of casting illusions and half-truths about drugs, not to mention unnecessary fears. Yes, it's completely realistic to consider that some substances are truly harmful to people and I am also leery about fully decriminalising things like meth and heroin, but a thorough, nationally-supported drug education program for all levels of school would do a lot of good if implemented right (yeah, I know...). People should know the ins and outs of what they are putting in their bodies, what to expect, what's a fucking myth, and most importantly, what sorts of devastating harm certain chemicals can rack upon your body if used/abused.

What's NOT ok - and hasn't been for quite some time - is having a fucking COP, of all people, come into your 5th grade class once a week to tell you all sorts of tales about the dangers of teenage marijuana use (and that's all). Fuck. People, as a whole, are not "mature", but you cannot expect an iota of maturity from a populace you systematically mislead and then punish.

quote:

Originally posted by secked I think that money saved from prosecuting people for possession and then holding them in a box for several years would be far better spent not only providing "free" substance rehabilitation programs [as per the article] but also completely reforming the D.A.R.E. program or something to the effect. The massive cultural stigma on substance abuse isn't completely unwarranted, but it also has the annoying factor of casting illusions and half-truths about drugs, not to mention unnecessary fears. Yes, it's completely realistic to consider that some substances are truly harmful to people and I am also leery about fully decriminalising things like meth and heroin, but a thorough, nationally-supported drug education program for all levels of school would do a lot of good if implemented right (yeah, I know...). People should know the ins and outs of what they are putting in their bodies, what to expect, what's a fucking myth, and most importantly, what sorts of devastating harm certain chemicals can rack upon your body if used/abused.

first off, i'm all for dramatic de-criminalization of weed at all levels of government but that quickly becomes a federalist issue and i'm not going to waste my energy here making that case.

that said, everyone here keeps focusing on the econonomic outcomes of prosecuting or not prosecuting a "war on drugs", and thats great and all, but no one wants to address the human impact of de-criminalizing narcotics. ignore it at your peril, i say.

Seeking treatment for drug addiction is a very positive thing.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Shibby Seeking treatment for drug addiction is a very positive thing.

i totally agree...for the individual. but we're not talking about the individual.

quote:

Originally posted by Q5echo first off, i'm all for dramatic de-criminalization of weed at all levels of government but that quickly becomes a federalist issue and i'm not going to waste my energy here making that case. that said, everyone here keeps focusing on the econonomic outcomes of prosecuting or not prosecuting a "war on drugs", and thats great and all, but no one wants to address the human impact of de-criminalizing narcotics. ignore it at your peril, i say.

Your fear is nearly palpable.

quote:

Originally posted by secked Your fear is nearly palpable.

your insight is nearly relevant

Ah yes, fear is only relevant when other people react with it.

quote:

Originally posted by secked Ah yes, fear is only relevant when other people react with it.

listen Jim Cunningham, don't you have a kiddie porn dungeon to rebuild or something?

Yea, but I have at least 2 decades before the comet gets here.

It's ok to cry, cue-five. I just wanted you to know that.

quote:

Originally posted by Q5echo that said, everyone here keeps focusing on the econonomic outcomes of prosecuting or not prosecuting a "war on drugs", and thats great and all, but no one wants to address the human impact of de-criminalizing narcotics. ignore it at your peril, i say.

Thousands of people who are labeled as 'criminals' will instead be able to remain free to do as they damn well please, while happily killing themselves with harmful drugs, but not bothering anyone else?

___________________
Captain Planet is gey.
Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Heart???
These forces are supposed to combine to create Captain Planet?
Bullshit.
Those forces combine to create a soaking, boiling mudstorm on Valentine's Day.

When I last checked, it wasn't a crime to destroy yourself. You got thousands if not millions of them doing just that with alcohol, cigarettes, and prescription drugs. I find it hypocritical that the government can say, "Well these drugs are okay to take (Vicodin, Adderall, Oxycontin), but you can't do these ones, that's for your own safety!"