NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm trying to figure out what my ideas on drug policy should be. Right now, I'm leaning to decriminalizing possession while increasing the punishment on drug dealers and traffickers, a la Amsterdam with many drugs. My position, though, would very well change if I had more idea on what the biological and sociological effects drugs have on humans would be presented to me. Links are especially appreciated. Thank you.

I'd suggest decriminalizing many drugs. (Note this is not the same as making them completely legal and free of restrictions like bubblegum. No advertising smack while the Teletubbies are on!) If an addict needs a fix and they can get it cheaply and legally then they won't be committing crimes to pay for their habit and organized crime won't be able to make money selling drugs. Keeping heroin illegal is pretty much giving money to drug dealers.

Some drugs make people violent and these may need to be more strictly controlled, but this should be on a case by case basis.

For rave drugs such as ectasy I am tempted to let people buy one pill a week. Sure there will be people who will save them and sell them, but it will stop drug dealers from making money and selling pills that may be contaminated or toxic.

The best bet for preventing health problems associated with recreational drug use may be to let drug companies know that if they make a recreation drug that doesn't have side effects they will be permitted to sell it and make a profit.

I think the most harmful thing is inconsistency in policy. You could go for full decriminalisation and deal with the consequences as a public health issue. Or you could go for full criminalisation, but you have to make sure the enforcement of the laws is so brutal and relentless that the knowledge that you know someone who uses drugs makes the average citizen fearful. Either way, your whole focus has to be on one strategy.

If you're going to walk the middle ground, as the West is doing, you are doomed to failure. You get the worst of both worlds - criminality without the resources to cope, and a public health issue without the resources to cope. It's like choosing to fight a war on two fronts. Stupid.

Ok so here is the deal i'm triying to pass something in the UN right now dealling with a close to your idea that you have posted. Instead of testing the effects of on humans we just make the leagal but have this law legal only in government controlled areas.

This way the economy will at an all time high no pun intended and the rest will come later.

I'm trying to figure out what my ideas on drug policy should be. Right now, I'm leaning to decriminalizing possession while increasing the punishment on drug dealers and traffickers, a la Amsterdam with many drugs. My position, though, would very well change if I had more idea on what the biological and sociological effects drugs have on humans would be presented to me. Links are especially appreciated. Thank you.
I've actually just done a presentation for my degree about this in my Bioethics class... Is there anywhere I could post a powerpoint presentation for you?

I've actually just done a presentation for my degree about this in my Bioethics class... Is there anywhere I could post a powerpoint presentation for you?

Ah, damn, I don't have a website or anything. Does anyone else have one they could host it on?

I'll try and host it on a site, but I dunno if it will work on my crappy geocities thing!

I think the currently available drugs should be kept because there is no way to effectively ban them on the same point no new drugs should be legalised because once you legalised them you can't change your mind another positive affect of this is that people who commit crimes to get there fix can be caught and rehabilitated.

In the mean time, try these:

When Heroin was Legal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4647018.stm)

Prohibition of cocaine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine#Prohibition)

History of Heroin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin#History)

Case for legalisation (http://www.legalisedrugs.co.uk/solution.html)

Some of these links are a bit biased, because I was on the Pro side of the debate, but hope they help! :fluffle:

My (biased FOR) powerpoint presentation on the legalisation of hard drugs in the UK (http://www.geocities.com/lemmyou/beverley.ppt)

Hope it works! (It will possibly take HOURS to load!)

My (biased FOR) powerpoint presentation on the legalisation of hard drugs in the UK (http://www.geocities.com/lemmyou/beverley.ppt)

Hope it works! (It will possibly take HOURS to load!)

You make some pretty good points in your presentation. I hope you made a good grade on it. :)

You make some pretty good points in your presentation. I hope you made a good grade on it. :)
Why thank you, we got honours :) I rock my socks.