On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 6:30 PM, Nick Arnett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> I think that heroin addicts should use drugs responsibly. I think >> anybody does. Let's give the addicts a plentiful suppy of heroin and >> hope they behave!
> Many people would agree with this, even though I suspect you meant it to be > sarcasm. I have a friend who is a municipal court who definitely would > agree, after seeing the time and expense that arises from the > criminalization of drugs. He, like many, expects that de-criminalization > would bring prices down, eliminate a great deal of related crime and empty > our prisons considerably, saving government huge amounts of money. Actually, I am opposed to laws that deny people from putting any substance they want into their body (or buying or selling substances). I was sarcastic about the GIVE them heroin part. Beyond issues of personal liberty (which are enough in themselves), I agree with your friend that other benefits would probably accrue. My only concern would be the extent to which people drugged out of their right minds might endanger others. That would be one of the rare cases where I think government interference may be warranted, probably some sort of licensing to buy or consume certain substances...although I wouldn't be opposed to no licensing either. It would be interesting to see it left up to states or even municipalities. Let them all try their own methods and people can choose where they want to live. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
