NationStates Jolt Archive

Category: Recreational Drug Use
Decision: Outlaw
Proposed by: Cape Cod Hanes Port

Description: 1. Restore sentencing discretion to trial judges in all drug cases.

2. Make reform retroactive so that current inmates incarcerated under the drug laws can petition the courts for review of their sentences.

3. Expand the funding for alternatives to incarceration, including drug treatment, job training and education so that judges have an appropriate place to send the offenders they decide should not be imprisoned.

4. Significantly reduce sentence lengths for drug offenses.


The law makes it a misdemeanor to loiter in a public place under conditions that police believe constitute "requisite intent" to engage in a drug or prostitution offense. The text of the law lists ten actions police and judges can look for to determine if a person has such requisite intent to engage in drug trafficking. A defendant may be considered having the requisite intent if he or she:


Acts as a "look-out."


Transfers small objects or packages for currency in a furtive fashion.


Tries to conceal himself for herself or any object that reasonably could be involved in an unlawful drug-related activity.


Uses signals or language indicative of summoning purchasers of illegal drugs.


Repeatedly beckons to, stops, attempts to stop, or engages in conversations with passersby, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle, indicative of summoning purchasers of illegal drugs.


Repeatedly passes to or receives from passersby, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle, money or small objects.


Is under the influence of a controlled substance or possesses narcotic or drug paraphernalia ... including, but not limited to, roach clips, cigarette papers, and rollers designed or marketed for use in smoking a controlled substance.


Has been convicted ... within five years ... of any violation involving the use, possession, or sale of any controlled substance ...


Is currently subject to any order prohibiting his or her presence in any high drug activity geographic area.


Has engaged, within six months prior to the date of arrest under this section, in any behavior described in this subdivision ... [or] in any other behavior indicative of illegal drug-related activity.


Yes, this is a tough law, but it's tough on the drug dealers - which is desperately needed. Indeed, rather than targeting innocent activity, the aim of this law is to protect it, and once again allow for the enjoyment of our public spaces by law-abiding citizens, whether they want to walk down the street, play on their street, or stand on the sidewalk. Today, too few do so because the drug dealers have taken over these spaces. My hope is that this law will make our streets safe yet again for our youth and everyone else. It was crafted carefully to do this,

What's with all the people wanting the UN to get involved in domestic criminal law lately? :rolleyes:

What's with all the people wanting the UN to get involved in domestic criminal law lately? :rolleyes:Have to agree with the previous comments from the sheik.

Too much of a specific interference in national legislation. We must vote against.


Christelle Zyryanov,
Ambassador to the United Nations,
PDSRA

Were this resolution to come 'round and be approved, I can only imagine the pandamonium that would erupt in countries who do not find your particular brand of morality to be valid. Targeting an act that, in some countries, is not illegal and treating otherwise law-abiding citizens as if they were the target of a national investigation is an invasion of said person's rights.

Bt this law, a man selling trinkets on the sidewalk may be considered to fall under "requisite intent," waylayed, and arrested. A street performer who routinely attempts to stop people and entertain them would be detained. A student selling lemonade will find himself in need of a lawyer.

Would you look at that? I made it through an argument against a proposal without pointing out that its a clear violation of a nation's right to choose what is legal and illegal within its domain!

Err. Dammit.

Sithya publicly hangs drug dealers from trees and flogs drug users. We're not interested in having our drugs interdiction policy dictated by the UN.

We will vote against.

*OFFICIAL MESSAGE*

Badly written and this should fall under NatSov and is not a UN Matter. The Empire will not vote for this. Have a nice day.

Uses signals or language indicative of summoning purchasers of illegal drugs.So we can consider citizens waiting for a bus to be summoning someone to buy drugs if they simply swat at a Zeldonian Natt. Have you ever visited out nation in May when they mate?
Repeatedly passes to or receives from passersby, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle, money or small objects.So now we must watch our toll booth workers..


Is under the influence of a controlled substance or possesses narcotic or drug paraphernalia ... including, but not limited to, roach clips, cigarette papers, and rollers designed or marketed for use in smoking a controlled substance.Dang school teachers always knew they were on something all them roach clips in their desk. And many of our Royal Judges who keep cigarette paper and pipes in their desk as well a some awfull funny smelling tobacco. Also not sure all those police officers that have needles in their lockers are taking legal medications for depression and stress, know they aren't diabet and on police force.

Yes, this is a tough law, but it's tough on the drug dealersNo tough is yell "'Police stand to be searched'" at then and see if they run then shoot them when they do run' - as law abiding citizens have no cause to run and if they are foolish enough to be searched and we find something on them then they need to be in prison and will be going there.

Each nation is able to handle it's own arrests of criminals and neds no directions from the UN on this. Many have been dealing with criminals far longer than the UN has been dealing with what color and scent the paper in the restroom in the UN building will be.


Sithya publicly hangs drug dealers from trees and flogs drug users. We're not interested in having our drugs interdiction policy dictated by the UN.
We will vote against.If you need ropes and whips contact our Minister of Trade as we produce a good well designed whip and make strong ropes. Also our Minister of Forest can provide you with seeds of trees that we find are suitable for hanging anything from.

The last group of leaders from Adollian drug cartels paid the price severely. Let's just say that they are gender undefined now, and our doctors... re-arranged them... literally.

Frankly, I don't need the UN attempting to control the drug flow in my country. This resolution would simply instate a uniform punishment for drug crimes, which would take away from the sovereignity of Adollias. Some nation's deem it necessary simply to jail their drug dealers, while Adollias feels more fit to brutally torture and execute them, and both are within the rights of our nation's without this law.

Most drugs, while culturally discouraged, are legal in Teufelanbetung. We don't have large problems with drug related offenses.

This proposal sounds more like a national issue than international. Not all of our nations have issues with drugs, therefore this is a case-by-case basis issue.

Because of the aforementioned reasons, The Dominion of Teufelanbetung must respectfully oppose this draft proposal.

Azazel Diener
Leader of Teufelanbetung
Join the Region of Logic and Cooperation today! (http://www.nationstates.net/56576/page=display_region)

We do not agree with this proposal and would like to point out that our empire not only has few laws regarding the sale and purchase of drugs, we also have an absence of crime.

This is a poor proposal that would call for the UN to define what drugs are illegal so that this law might be inforced. It infringes too far on the rights of our empire. Perhaps you should address this issues with the legislation of your nation and keep local politics out of the global body.

OOC: I love this thread. :)

One, the "crack" down on drug dealers. That's just great.

Two, I would look completely and utterly redundant in posting something about national sovereignty. It's great when that happens.

Frenchania will not support this. It infringes on the sovereignty of individual nations to direct their own drug policies. It is our feeling that the administration of criminal laws is the province of nations, not international governing bodies.

People who play woodwind instruments often carry cigarette papers, as a quick way of sealing gaps or leaks. Are you suggesting that we should be watching our symphony orchestras?

People who play woodwind instruments often carry cigarette papers, as a quick way of sealing gaps or leaks. Are you suggesting that we should be watching our symphony orchestras?

OOC: As a saxophonist myself, I was tempted to bring this up, but I was afraid I'd get hammered for excessive nitpicking. Thanks, Darsomir. ;)

So now we must watch our toll booth workers..


and people collecting for charities...

The control of the production and supply of illicit drugs has been of international concern since the beginning of the twentieth century. In the first half of the century a series of international agreements and treaties were signed mainly to control the opium trade. Then, in an attempt to consolidate and unify the international response,

Drugs and pharmaceuticals have become a major and pervasive social concern both because of their life-giving benefits and, in many cases their debilitating abuse. It is cru cial that we take measures to minimize these abuses and at the same time, seek to insure that our citizens can rely upon the efficacy, and purity of their medications. The extraordinary availability of technology, the speed and ease of global commerce and the ingenuity of the criminal mind have resulted in the massive diversion and illicit manufacture of drugs of abuse and have also begun to undermine the integrity of vital medicines by the trafficking in bogus, counterfeit products which may cause the death or injury of innocent, unsuspecting persons.

The demand created by addicts and drug abusers is obviously of quite a different nature than that of legitimate consumers for the medicines they require. Yet there is a certain similarity which in both cases may result in stimulating the traffic in counterfeit pharmaceuticals. Although most people commonly think of the illicit drug traffic in terms of such drugs as heroin, marihuana or illicit cocaine, in fact, many important legitimate drugs are also powerful narcotics, stimulants or depressants that are frequently sought by drug abusers.


Just like other consumers, drug abusers and addicts have learned the various brand names and appearance of the drug products they are seeking. Consequently, drug traffickers employ every criminal means they can to obtain these legitimate products to sell to their customers at tremendously inflated prices. But because of controls, it often happens that these products cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity from legitimate sources and drug traffickers undertake to counterfeit their own dosage forms to meet the demand.

I know of no finer example of the capabilities of international criminal groups to corrupt global commerce than the massive illicit traffic in counterfeit Methaqualone tablets known as ‘Quaaludes’ Suddenly, it had become a drug which was producing as many deaths and injuries as either heroin or cocaine.

I am perhaps especially sensitive to this, having so often experienced the frustrations of laboring to organize international enforcement cooperation in the absence of clear and specific legal authority. This proved to be an excruciating problem in dealing with the example I gave of Methaqualone which, although the subject of an extraordinary illicit traffic was not under legal control in most of the countries that were feeding it. The first attitude is always the same; "We don’t have an obligation, we don’t have the authority, and we don’t have the time."

The counterfeiting of pharmaceuticals is a thoroughly international problem. Production and distribution seldom occurs within a single country and often involves global commerce. Yet there is no specific multilateral treaty imposing obligations to criminalize, report, or cooperate in the suppression of this traffic, nor any international staff to collect, analyze and disseminate information. This contrasts sharply with our work in the area of drugs or abuse.

International shipments are not searched or verified in free trade zones,

There is a lack of dedicated enforcement personnel and resources,

There is no systematic data base and no requirement for one,

There is no specific treaty or set of uniform international obligations,

There is no dedicated staff to monitor compliance, and

There is no functioning, systematic international law enforcement effort.


The level of criminal activity can be expected to increase rapidly with the globalization of commerce and the emphases on speeding this commerce through Customs barriers. Moreover, the increasing variety, effectiveness and elegance of pharmaceutical remedies will also increase these financial incentives.

The potential damage from this criminal activity is enormous and includes:

Injury to patients whose maladies go untreated because of reliance upon substandard or entirely bogus counterfeit preparations,

Injury to patients who unwittingly consume counterfeit preparations containing poisonous ingredients,

Damage to the entire public health system by undermining public confidence in medications and the pharmaceutical delivery system,

Damage to the pharmaceutical industry in terms of lawful revenues and public confidence, and

Provision of additional financial support for crime, violence and corruption.

due to a "new" heroin and prescription narcotics. The "new" heroin, I learned, was much purer, more potent, and relatively inexpensive; therefore, it was affordable, readily available, much more dangerous, and could be "snorted" instead of being injected intravenously. In addition, we learned about Oxycontin and other prescription narcotics being used as a supplement or substitute for heroin; they too could be "snorted" and had given rise to an "industry" characterized by drug-related burglaries, "stealing and dealing", and "doctor shopping" to obtain prescriptions which were marketable by themselves. Particularly alarming were reports of overdose deaths occurring in individuals in their mid-20's, and addiction to both heroin and prescription narcotics being recognized in teenagers.

including our pharmacy and one of our two medical clinics, experienced break-ins and attempted or successful burglaries that fit the picture of drug-related crimes. numerous arrests for possession of illicit drugs and or drug trafficking were made, Most alarming, however, was the increased frequency with which members of the community found drug paraphernalia such as syringes and needles behind buildings, near "dumpsters", in the street, and on their private property. Despite reporting such occurrences and other "suspicious activities" to our local police, citizens became increasingly frustrated because they saw little change and the situation seemed to be getting worse. Thus, explanations that a five man police force is not equipped to do surveillance or drug-related investigative work, and that my nation only had three Drug Enforcement Agents covering the four cites in our area were of little comfort.


This proposal to strengthen investigative law enforcement in our geographic area should be viewed as the first step in what we hope will be a powerful community The purpose of such prevention strategies is to protect our children while they are growing up so that "...they will be safe, healthy, respected, and ready to succeed in school and beyond." Clearly, drug-related morbidity and mortality -- previously thought to be problems encountered only in urban areas.


We need programs that support education, treatment, law enforcement, and prevention efforts to combat alcohol abuse, illicit opiate abuse, and prescription drug abuse must be increased; United Nations legislation creating a national prescription drug monitoring system should be considered; But I have also learned about the many positive ways that communities have fought back, targeting the meth cooks and dealers, trying to get addicts into treatment, and working to educate young people about the risks of meth abuse.

Meth is one of the most powerful and dangerous drugs available, and one of the easiest to make. It can be “cooked” using common household or agricultural chemicals and simple cold medicines, following recipes easily available on the Internet. The drug is highly addictive and has multiple side effects, including psychotic behavior, physical deterioration, and brain damage. Death by overdose is a significant risk.


The amount of meth that is created at these smaller labs is relatively small, yet the impact the labs have on the community is staggering, due to the environmental damage and health risks that they create. The Criminal Effect of Meth on Communities” and “The Impact of Meth on Children: Out of Home Placement” surveyed hundreds of counties nationwide on the effects of meth. The surveys provide further evidence of how the meth epidemic is quickly spreading across the nation, from rural to suburban and urban areas.

the information on meth related arrests and meth cases overall was staggering. 67% reported increases in meth related arrests. My Reigon reported particularly disturbing results, with 76% reporting such increases. Over half of the agencies surveyed stated that at least 1 in 5 jail inmates are serving methamphetamine related sentences The surveys also demonstrate that children are increasingly becoming the primary victims of meth abuse. The surveys found that 40% of child welfare agencies reported an increase in “out of home placements because of meth in the past year.” This abuse unfortunately includes physical and mental trauma, and even sexual abuse. 69% of county social service agencies have indicated that they have had to provide additional, specialized training for their welfare system workers and have had to develop new and special protocols for workers to address the special needs of the children affected by methamphetamine. Community health and human services, as well as child welfare services such as foster-care, are being overwhelmed as a result of meth.


Officials at every level of government – United Nations state and local – must take effective, coordinated action to address the meth epidemic. I really dont care what anyone think about this proposal i have to say this is a really great proposal because it targets Drug lords and it makes our streets safe. other than trying to make this proposal sounds so harsh and to tough on ordinary people dont even trying to use that as a cop out to protect the drug lords who might support your positon in power and you are trying to make this proposal looks like its not right for your nation. well if your nation dont have a problem with drugs well dont vote for it better yet dont even put your 2 cents in this matter. because there are many nations who have a massive problem with drug related crimes and there are many nations who wants to do more when it comes to drug crimes..

This is one of the funniest and most one sided threads I have ever read.

I'll try to be nice and keep it short. While I'm sure many would agree that the intent behind this proposal is laudable, it is very obvious that there are also a great many who believe that this goes too far. Simplifying the proposal would alleviate some of the tensions created. For example, instead of listing all of the different factors that must be watched for, simply mandate an 'increased legal awareness of the signs' or somesuch. As there will be regional, national, and even local differences in the parlance, paraphrenalia, drug of choice, signals, and customer base, attempting to specify exactly what sort of activities to watch for is a rather prohibitive task, and one that will create unnecessary difficulties in areas where some of the mandated signs to watch for are irrelevant.

It is also very arguable as to whether this matter is even worthy of UN attention. It can be agreed that, in many areas, drug trafficking is an international issue. However, there are nations in which many drugs are permitted (either decriminalized or legalized) for social, religious, or whatever other reason. They would be in opposition to this no matter how it is rewritten. There are also some of us who simply do not wish to have the UN adding extra legislation to our books that we have already dealt with on our own. As an example, here in Kivisto, drugs are illegal. You would think that we would have problems with trafficking and the like and yet...

Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force.

It really isn't that difficult a problem to deal with. If you do not wish to see your people suffering under the scourge of what you declare to be illegal, put your police force to work. Train them well. Equip them. They will get the job done.

ok my friend says many nations uses drugs as medicine and it is permitted. ok i will respect nations who allows there population to take crack cocaine as medicine. i respect nations who allows there population to use meth or dope or even extasy as a late night pill relaxer. But i would like to send a message to every nation leader who is fed up with all kinds of drugs killing off there population. and like i said yesturday some members here dont agree with this measure and if you go to the proposals sections there are some proposals that are up for a vote right now that targets drugs and crime. and many delagates feel the same way that i do. and that is why now is the time to get real serious when it comes to INTERNATIONALLLLLLLLLL DRUG TRAFFICKING... but i love to make folks laugh. but my friend this is not a LOL Matter. because instead of trying to sit back and laugh you need to worry about the little kids in your nation who might be getting turned out to drugs or who knows like you said many nations take drugs as meds well it maybe kids in your nation who might think coke or dope is 10 cents cady from the candy store.. stop playin with people lives and start getting serious..

Come now, you're all being too harsh. You know, if we were to take the time to sift through this, tidy up certain points and refine others, I'm sure it could be a pile of crap.

Come now, you're all being too harsh. You know, if we were to take the time to sift through this, tidy up certain points and refine others, I'm sure this could be a pile of crap.


Eco, you make me smile sometimes....

Somehow, that frightens me.

stop playin with people lives and start getting serious

Once again, as implementing this would offend a great many nations who have decided to let their nations people have access to these substances, it would need excessive reworking to make it feasible. Until such a time as everyone is ready for such a sweeping blanket reform to international law, I suggest that nations that wish to keep themselves free of this issue do as we in Kivisto did. Beef up the police. Grant them the rights, the equipment, the training and the personnel that they need to squash the dealers flat. It worked for us. It can work for you. Try it. You might like it. What have you got to lose?

First of all, I think most people will appreciate the sincerity and effort behind this draft. I know I do.

However, there is a great deal of difficulty in bringing this sort of legislation over the broad range of members within the UN. You've seen the opposition to it here - it needs no further explaination.

There is some scope for drugs legislation on the export and import of drugs internationally - perhaps some sort of resolution calling for the international community to co-operate in asset tracking of legal imports and exports, and co-operation in the illegal import and export of drugs. Indeed, this could be extended to other areas, reducing smuggling on an international level.

Thats just an idea, and I've given it very little thought on details, but I think if you were to go in that direction you would be more likely to receive an international consensus, and thus a workable resolution.

My nation’s democratic system of government is founded upon free and open debate. My nation holds no beliefs or icons above challenge and examination. We all must be willing to lay the facts and our analysis on the table of public scrutiny, and make the case for what we believe.

However, in the marketplace of ideas, just as in other marketplaces, there are people willing to use deceptive claims, half truths and flawed logic to hawk ill-considered beliefs. Nowhere is this problem more clear than with respect to the drug legalization movement.


Proponents of legalization know that the policy choices they advocate are unacceptable to the public. Because of this, many advocates of this approach have resorted to concealing their real intentions and seeking to sell the public legalization by normalizing drugs through a process designed to erode societal disapproval.


The legalization of hemp as an agricultural product because of the potential for increasing marijuana growth and use. While legitimate hardworking farmers may want to grow the crop to support their families, many of the other proponents of hemp legalization have not been as honest about their goals. If legalizing hemp is solely about developing a new crop and not about eroding marijuana restrictions, why does this individual only support hemp deregulation if it is linked to the legalization of marijuana?


Personally, when I talk about legalization, I mean three things: the first is to make drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin legal . . . .
Under the legalization plan I propose here, the belief that illegal drug use cannot be controlled and, instead, that government should focus on reducing drug-related harms, such as overdoses -- the underlying goal of legalization is still present. policies: allowing doctors to prescribe heroin for addicts; employing drug analysis units at large dance parties, known as raves, to test the quality of drugs; and “decriminalizing” possession and retail sale of cannabis and, in some cases, possession of “hard drugs.




Legalization, whether it goes by the name harm reduction or some other trumped up moniker, is still legalization. For those who at heart believe in legalization, harm reduction[ is too often a linguistic ploy to confuse the public, cover their intentions and thereby quell legitimate public inquiry and debate. Changing the name of the plan doesn’t constitute a new solution or alter the nature of the problem.

But quote on Quote like some members of the united nations say Overthrow the Government!

Grow your own stone! It’s easy! It’s fun! Everybody’s doing it!

Growing marijuana: a fun hobby the whole family can enjoy


What do drug “legalizers” truly seek? They want drugs made legal -- even though this would dramatically increase drug use rates. They want drugs made widely available, in chewing gums and sodas, over the Internet and at the corner store -- even though this would be tantamount to putting drugs in the hands of children. They want our society to no longer frown on drug use -- even though each year drug use contributes to 50,000 deaths and costs our society $110 billion in social costs. And, they want the government to play the role of facilitator, handing out drugs like heroin and LSD.


Let me emphasize, there is nothing wrong with advocating for change in public policy. From civil rights to universal suffrage, much of what makes our nations great has been the result of courageous reform efforts. Our nation benefits from the airing of dissent. However, we all have a responsibility to be honest in debate about our motives. We all have an obligation to be open with the our people about the risks inherent in what we advocate. To date, advocates of legalization have not been so forthcoming.

One of the best measures of the public’s rejection of drugs is the number of -- fifty-million -- who have used drugs during their younger years, but now reject them. Even among individuals who themselves tried drugs, 73 percent believe that parents should forbid children from ever using any drug at any time. The public’s opinion about illegal drugs is clear: they want no part of them. people dont want their children, friends or family members doing drugs. They don’t want drugs in their workplace. They don’t want to live in fear that their pilot or bus driver is on drugs. And, they support efforts, ranging from education to treatment to law enforcement, to combat drug use.

Prior to the enactment of these laws, narcotics were legal and widely available across the nations. In fact, narcotics use and its impacts were commonplace in nations society. Cocaine was found not only in early Coca-Cola but also in wine, cigarettes, liqueur-like alcohols, hypodermic needles, ointments, and sprays. Cocaine was falsely marketed as a cure for hay fever, sinusitis and even opium and alcohol abuse. Opium abuse was also widespread. One year before Bayer introduced aspirin to the market, the company also began marketing heroin as a “nonaddictive,” no prescription necessary, over-the-counter cure-all.


Most importantly the legalization of drugs in the nations would lead to a disproportionate increase in drug use among young people. In addition to the impact of expanded availability, legalization would have a devastating effect on how our children see drug use. Youth drug use is driven by attitudes. When young people perceive drugs as risky and socially unacceptable youth drug use drops. Conversely, when children perceive less risk and greater acceptability in using drugs, their use increases. If nothing else, legalization would send a strong message that taking drugs is a safe and socially accepted behavior that is to be tolerated among our peers, loved ones and children. Such a normalization would play a major role in softening youth attitudes and, ultimately, increasing drug use.


The significant increases in youth drug use that would accompany legalization are particularly troubling because their effects would be felt over the course of a generation or longer. Without help, addictions last a lifetime. Every additional young person we allow to become addicted to drugs will impose tremendous human and fiscal burdens on our society. Legalization would be a usurious debt upon our society’s future -- the costs of such an approach would mount exponentially with each new addict, and over each new day.


Innocent children suffer the most from drug abuse. In No Safe Havens,
If drugs were made legal, among the growing ranks of the addicted will be scores of people with children. Given the clear linkage between rates of addiction and child abuse and neglect, more drug use will cause tens of thousands of additional children to suffer from abuse and neglect as parents turn away from their children to chase their habit.


If drugs were made legal, use -- including on-the-job drug use -- will increase. Growing numbers of drug users operating heavy equipment, driving tractor-trailers, and operating buses, would inevitably lead to greater numbers of workplace injuries. While the impaired drug user is most at risk from their own actions, countless innocent people -- co-workers and ordinary citizens -- would also face added dangers. Additionally, apart from the human costs, significantly increased numbers of on-the-job drug-related accidents would cost the American economy countless millions -- ranging from rising insurance costs, to personal injury settlements, to losses through decreased productivity.


Critics argue that the harm to our society from drugs, such as the costs of crime, could be reduced if drugs were legalized. The logic is flawed. By increasing the availability of drugs, legalization would dramatically increase the harm to innocent people. With more drugs and drug use in our society, there would be more drug-related child abuse, more drugged driving fatalities, and more drug-related workplace accidents. None of these harms are caused by law or law enforcement but by illegal drugs.



Even with respect to the crime-related impact of drugs, drug-related crimes are driven far more by addiction than by the illegality of drugs. Law enforcement doesn’t cause people to steal to support their habits; they steal because they need money to fuel an addiction -- a drug habit that often precludes them from earning an honest living. Even if drugs were legal, people would still steal and prostitute themselves to pay for addictive drugs and support their addicted lifestyles. Dealers don’t deal to children because the law makes it illegal; dealers deal to kids to build their market by hooking them on a life-long habit at an early age, when drugs can be marketed as cool and appealing to young people who have not matured enough to consider the real risks. Make no mistake: legalizing drugs won’t stop pushers from selling heroin and other drugs to kids. Legalization will, however, increase drug availability and normalize drug-taking behavior, which will increase the rates of youth drug abuse.



The criminal justice system is not the root cause of drug-related crime. It is the producers, traffickers, pushers, gangs and enforcers who are to blame, as are all the people who use drugs and never think about the web of criminality and suffering their drug money supports.

Goal 1: Educate and enable nations
youth to reject illegal drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco.

Goal 2: Increase the safety of nations
citizens by substantially reducing drug-related crime and violence.

Goal 3: Reduce health and social costs to the public of illegal drug use.

Goal 4: Shield
nations air land, and sea frontiers from the drug threat.

Goal 5: Break foreign and domestic drug sources of supply.



Goal 5: Break foreign and domestic drug sources of supply.



We cannot arrest our way out of our nation’s drug problem. We need to break the cycle of addiction, crime, and prison through treatment and other diversion programs. Breaking the Cycle” program is also producing promising results.two thousand offenders successfully completed this program as a condition of their release. To date, their rearrest rate is about 1 percent Breaking the cycle -- through diversion programs and treatment -- is not soft on drugs, it is smart on defeating drugs and crime.

Bring on the copyright proposal: might stop him plagiarising (http://www.drugsense.org/me/talk.htm).

We cannot arrest our way out of our nation’s drug problem. We need to break the cycle of addiction, crime, and prison through treatment and other diversion programs

A very optimistic view about treatment and diversion. Nothing wrong with that. A pessimistic view about law enforcement. That I don't understand. Kivisto does not have a drug problem specifically because of the all pervasive police force. Arrests aren't even at issue. The people know that they will be caught and held accountable for their actions.

There is some scope for drugs legislation on the export and import of drugs internationally - perhaps some sort of resolution calling for the international community to co-operate in asset tracking of legal imports and exports, and co-operation in the illegal import and export of drugs. Indeed, this could be extended to other areas, reducing smuggling on an international level.

That is a spectacular idea, and much more likely to garner support.

if you make (drugs) legal you just might not have (drug) dealers.

I would like to end this debate and turn everything over to the Un leadership and the delagates, i would hope and urge all delagates to come together and begin to operate in a bipartisan fashion and vote to keep our nations free and safe from drugs... mr moderators i have nonthing further to say.

dabbling in private life again are we?

There is some scope for drugs legislation on the export and import of drugs internationally - perhaps some sort of resolution calling for the international community to co-operate in asset tracking of legal imports and exports, and co-operation in the illegal import and export of drugs. Indeed, this could be extended to other areas, reducing smuggling on an international level.

Thats just an idea, and I've given it very little thought on details, but I think if you were to go in that direction you would be more likely to receive an international consensus, and thus a workable resolution.

Somebody tried a poposal along those lines a few months ago, but I don't remember who that was. My main problem with their version was that it considered sacramental use of drugs -- including alcohol -- to be 'recreational', which many of St Edmund's Christians and Yoodooists took as an insult to the seriousness of their religious beliefs...

That is a spectacular idea, and much more likely to garner support.Thanks, I'll have to spend a while pondering how something like this could be implemented and work on a draft.Somebody tried a poposal along those lines a few months ago, but I don't remember who that was. My main problem with their version was that it considered sacramental use of drugs -- including alcohol -- to be 'recreational', which many of St Edmund's Christians and Yoodooists took as an insult to the seriousness of their religious beliefs...I'll be careful to avoid making such judgements in any draft.

International shipments are not searched or verified in free trade zones,What free trade zones if it is imported to my nation it's searched.

There is a lack of dedicated enforcement personnel and resources,Maybe you have this problem but we don't as if a person fails to show they can do their duty we move them to another and put in somebody who can. Believe me that you would rather choose where you work if you can than let somebody else do it.

There is no systematic data base and no requirement for one,Again maybe in your nation but some here already have more than you can imagine stored on all sorts of things.

There is no specific treaty or set of uniform international obligations,So tell us where and when we get together to talk about problems between our nation and yours and we will change this. As we already have such with other nations both in the UN and not in it.

There is no dedicated staff to monitor compliance, andAgain same as we did with the lower lever worker; if those who monitor them are the problem we move them and put somebody else in their place who will do their duty. It's not the duty of the UN to bring individual citizens in line as they deal only with individual nations who then bring the citizens in line.

There is no functioning, systematic international law enforcement effort.And since the UN can't have a police force don't see this happening.

Provision of additional financial support for crime, violence and corruption.Are you suggesting we set up a fund to pay more into these or what? As it sure reads that way.

One of the best measures of the public’s rejection of drugs is the number of -- fifty-million -- who have used drugs during their younger years, but now reject them. Even among individuals who themselves tried drugs, 73 percent believe that parents should forbid children from ever using any drug at any time. The public’s opinion about illegal drugs is clear: they want no part of them. people dont want their children, friends or family members doing drugs. They don’t want drugs in their workplace. They don’t want to live in fear that their pilot or bus driver is on drugs. And, they support efforts, ranging from education to treatment to law enforcement, to combat drug use.

I'm sure few of us would disagree with the fact that drugs are bad for health and the security of others, but restricting the circumstances under which they may be used, in order to protect the well-being of the public is not the same as prohibition. There is nothing wrong with legalisation, so long as adaquate safeguards are put in. If anything, the revenue you accrue can be directed towards anti-drug efforts and to guarantee the quality of drugs, thus avoiding death or ill health due to poor quality stock.

Prior to the enactment of these laws, narcotics were legal and widely available across the nations. In fact, narcotics use and its impacts were commonplace in nations society. Cocaine was found not only in early Coca-Cola but also in wine, cigarettes, liqueur-like alcohols, hypodermic needles, ointments, and sprays. Cocaine was falsely marketed as a cure for hay fever, sinusitis and even opium and alcohol abuse. Opium abuse was also widespread. One year before Bayer introduced aspirin to the market, the company also began marketing heroin as a “nonaddictive,” no prescription necessary, over-the-counter cure-all.

Which says more about corporate practice than the drugs themselves.


Most importantly the legalization of drugs in the nations would lead to a disproportionate increase in drug use among young people. In addition to the impact of expanded availability, legalization would have a devastating effect on how our children see drug use. Youth drug use is driven by attitudes. When young people perceive drugs as risky and socially unacceptable youth drug use drops. Conversely, when children perceive less risk and greater acceptability in using drugs, their use increases.

Erm, what? I think you'll find (or at least I found when I was at school) that the illegal, risky edge to drug use it what makes them attractive to young people in the first place. It makes them more exciting, more fitting with the rebellious nature of most teenagers. By contrast, legal drugs would become boring, mundane and teenagers would go elsewhere for kicks.

If nothing else, legalization would send a strong message that taking drugs is a safe and socially accepted behavior that is to be tolerated among our peers, loved ones and children. Such a normalization would play a major role in softening youth attitudes and, ultimately, increasing drug use.

Perhaps in the short term, but in the long term? No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_legalisation#The_Netherlands

When compared to other countries, Dutch drug consumption falls in the European average at six per cent regular use (twenty-one per cent at some point in life), and considerably lower than the Anglo-Saxon countries headed by the United States with an eight per cent recurring use (thirty-four at some point in life). Experts have come to the conclusion that the policies applied do not play a striking role in these statistics, though there is debate over this issue (CEDRO, 2004).


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_drugs

http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/nylawyer.htm


The significant increases in youth drug use that would accompany legalization are particularly troubling because their effects would be felt over the course of a generation or longer. Without help, addictions last a lifetime. Every additional young person we allow to become addicted to drugs will impose tremendous human and fiscal burdens on our society. Legalization would be a usurious debt upon our society’s future -- the costs of such an approach would mount exponentially with each new addict, and over each new day.

I think it's important we stress that legalisation does not necessarily mean approval, it can mean we recognise an individuals right to control their body and make decisions over their own health and lifestyle, so long as it does not unduly impinge on the rights of others.

If drugs were made legal, use -- including on-the-job drug use -- will increase. Growing numbers of drug users operating heavy equipment, driving tractor-trailers, and operating buses, would inevitably lead to greater numbers of workplace injuries. While the impaired drug user is most at risk from their own actions, countless innocent people -- co-workers and ordinary citizens -- would also face added dangers. Additionally, apart from the human costs, significantly increased numbers of on-the-job drug-related accidents would cost the American economy countless millions -- ranging from rising insurance costs, to personal injury settlements, to losses through decreased productivity.

So prohibit drugs use in high risk jobs, it's not that damaging. And given that plenty of other preventable factors like illness, emotional distress, etc, are just as potentially damaging, are you saying we should ban ill people from working? Or from having emotions?


Critics argue that the harm to our society from drugs, such as the costs of crime, could be reduced if drugs were legalized. The logic is flawed. By increasing the availability of drugs, legalization would dramatically increase the harm to innocent people. With more drugs and drug use in our society, there would be more drug-related child abuse, more drugged driving fatalities, and more drug-related workplace accidents. None of these harms are caused by law or law enforcement but by illegal drugs.

Starting to sound a bit like a broken record.

The criminal justice system is not the root cause of drug-related crime. It is the producers, traffickers, pushers, gangs and enforcers who are to blame, as are all the people who use drugs and never think about the web of criminality and suffering their drug money supports.

Which is a rather crude way of looking at the issue, I mean, just parroting the slogan that drugs are bad and drug dealers are the root of all evil ignores a lot of other compelling factors.

Goal 1: Educate and enable nations
youth to reject illegal drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco.

All in favour except alcohol. What's wrong with alcohol in reasonable amounts?

Goal 2: Increase the safety of nations
citizens by substantially reducing drug-related crime and violence.

By doing what?

Goal 3: Reduce health and social costs to the public of illegal drug use.

Ditto.

Goal 4: Shield
nations air land, and sea frontiers from the drug threat.

Difficult.

We cannot arrest our way out of our nation’s drug problem. We need to break the cycle of addiction, crime, and prison through treatment and other diversion programs. Breaking the Cycle” program is also producing promising results.two thousand offenders successfully completed this program as a condition of their release. To date, their rearrest rate is about 1 percent Breaking the cycle -- through diversion programs and treatment -- is not soft on drugs, it is smart on defeating drugs and crime.

This somewhat goes against your previous sentiments doesn't it?

May the blessings of our otters be upon you.

Leonard Otterby
Ambassador for the Republic of Compadria to the U.N.

Erm, what? I think you'll find (or at least I found when I was at school) that the illegal, risky edge to drug use it what makes them attractive to young people in the first place. It makes them more exciting, more fitting with the rebellious nature of most teenagers. By contrast, legal drugs would become boring, mundane and teenagers would go elsewhere for kicks.

All in favour except alcohol. What's wrong with alcohol in reasonable amounts?

Alcohol has been around to long easy to get, boring, no risk with it.. and it's legal if you of age. Thus probably one reason teenagers turn to other drugs. Look at fact age early on was 18 to drink in US today it 21 so now we see more problems as more people can't do it so when it illegal counts go up because group can't gets larger.

As I found that at 16 didn't like drinking so didn't until later got into military and it then was expected so one drank at company parties or when was out in town. Other drugs were not so didn't get into them.. Thus beliefs on use of certain things also play factor and then something like a not liked war... Nam... also played a factor as drugs gave an escape from it all. Thus those caught would be those who have to face the issues of the times.....

Thus beliefs on use of certain things also play factor and then something like a not liked war... Nam... also played a factor as drugs gave an escape from it all. Thus those caught would be those who have to face the issues of the times.....It's true that drug policy became a referendum on the war in Vietnam and other social inequities. Along with the tremendous change in public attitudes went a surge in the use of illegal drugs, and with it a renewed debate over decriminalization and even legalization of drug use.

Elected by appealing to a “law and order” constituency, President Nixon saw the relaxation of intolerance for drug use as the first shot in a culture war. Nixon equated drug use with an attack on specific American traditions and the conservative world-view in general. He launched a vigorous campaign to turn the tide against the decriminalization and legalization forces, calling for a “War on Drugs” in the same manner that his predecessor Lyndon Johnson had called for a “War on Poverty.”

However, drug use and abuse is as old as mankind itself. Human beings have always had a desire to eat or drink substances that make them feel relaxed, stimulated, or euphoric. Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for thousands of years. Wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians; narcotics from 4000 B.C.; and medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737 BC in China.

However, drug use and abuse is as old as mankind itself.

Ditto murder, rape, racism... Would you therefore expect us to tolerate those, too? :rolleyes:

Ditto murder, rape, racism... Would you therefore expect us to tolerate those, too? :rolleyes:
I don't think that's a fair parallel. The consumption of, say, alcohol is not comparable to an inclination towards racist behaviour. You're referring to acts that directly impinge upon another's liberty and/or wellbeing. Hirota refers to an activity that is purely personal. Yes, responses to drug consumption can have unpleasant consequences but this isn't a given.

The humble citizens of Al Thera feel that the regulation and criminilization of what could be a drug or an herbal remedy up to the legislature of the perticular nations. We are not here to suggest that you allow these substances to be legal, we do, but we also teach our people how to be responsible with their drug use and we do not allow our people to work or attend school while under the infleunce.

Our citizens are afforded excellent civil rights and freedoms to choose their own paths as long as it does no harm to our other citizens. Our goverment has removed the worry of the populace and allowed them the decide what is best for them on a local level and our esteemed ruler decides what laws to apply to the nation as a whole to promote the health and happiness of her people.

Like our ruler, we believe that education and choice is what prevents our nation from becoming a nation of addicts. We invite any of the delegates to come to our nation and to spend some time in one of our Herbal Lounges. By not having "drugs" illegal, we can monitor, quality test, tax, and protect those that decide to choose the use these herbal alternatives to cancer causing cigarettes and liver destroying alcohol.

If drugs are a problem within your nations, then address that within your nation. Tighten your borders and protect your people, but don't asks us to do that for you when we don't see the harm in the things you call drugs.

Alcohol has been around to long easy to get, boring, no risk with it.. and it's legal if you of age. Thus probably one reason teenagers turn to other drugs.

OOC: Ironically, alcohol and nicotene are the two most dangerous and worst drugs for you. Worst than any "hard" drug available on the market. The only reason people OD on "hard" drugs is because they are availble in large, crude quantities. If governments legalized and regulated them, they probably wouldn't hold the same appeal or death rate.

ooc: Peruvians used to get a ball of coca leaves, chew so they meshed together, then add some lime juice and suck on it so they could climb over the mountains tirelessly without food.
For this reason we should legalise cocaine?

ooc: Peruvians used to get a ball of coca leaves, chew so they meshed together, then add some lime juice and suck on it so they could climb over the mountains tirelessly without food.
For this reason we should legalise cocaine?
Yep. We could then declare Bolivia to be a FairTrade source in a bid to screw over the paramilitary-backed Colombian suppliers.

ooc: Peruvians used to get a ball of coca leaves, chew so they meshed together, then add some lime juice and suck on it so they could climb over the mountains tirelessly without food.
For this reason we should legalise cocaine?

Cocaine, no.
Less "purified" Coca extract? It's amongst the ingredients in St Edmund's most popular fizzy drink...
;)

Is it green? I've always been curious.

Randomeans can chew on kwat or rubber tree leaves, but they usually just do it for the tourists ;)

Yep. We could then declare Bolivia to be a FairTrade source in a bid to screw over the paramilitary-backed Colombian suppliers.

Eco. You're killing me here. It wasn't that long ago that I opposed almost everything you said. Now you've got me in stitches again.... It's just gotta stop.