With reference to Chris Briggs comments; Well of course its good to hear from someone working on the coalface so to speak and I respect your views and insights, but depressing to hear the same old tired clichés coming out.
>Legalising > the drugs would just open it up to more folk. More people > would then become addicted. have you spoken to colleagues in Switzerland? - possibly the most rightwing reactionary country in Western Europe. Their policy of legalising the use of heroin and providing it safe secure medical environments has dramatically reduced its use. Spain & Portugal have both decriminalised cannabis and shown no increase in use afaik, In the UK I believe provisional figures showed a slight decrease in the UK after it was classified as Class C and until the Daily Mail got Dr Nutt kicked out and got it reclassified, probably the next biggest disaster they have bought upon public heath since their campaign against combined MMR vaccine. As a middle class middle-aged white Anglo-Saxon with direct access to naturally grown cannabis it's effectively decriminalised for me, yet I smoke a lot less than I did in my 20's and while I accept some long term medical damage due to its use, like with a alcohol, caffeine, fried food etc I as an adult believe the benefits outweigh a life lived with no chemical enhancements or pleasures. Just to reiterate important points to consider; 1. Addicts are a medical issue NOT a legal one. 2. Thieves and gangsters should be dealt with by the legal system, removing the vast number of users (not addicts) from the system would only be beneficial - wouldn't you rather deal with someone who has caused damage to our society either thru drug drink, envy etc rather than someone who can't or won't give up Heroin or someone who likes a little puff of weed. 3. the vast majority of users dont become addicts, they just choose to poison themselves with different drugs than the ones you may prefer - why won't you let them do what they want if it doesnt affect anyone else? 4. the example of Mephedrone is a case in point - nothing has been achieved by the banning of a relatively harmless and benign drug, except to increase the cache and price and push even more business the way of drug dealers. finally Chris this problem has been around as long as society - you seem to be espousing the same old tactics, - they haven't worked anywhere and made the situation worse. I have 2 teenage kids and apart from driving, drink and drugs are probably the next biggest threat to them and we need to find a solution. Our drug wars are decimating so many societies and countries. - I'm suggesting some new thinking, it wont be easy, there will be some losers and some downsides, but I honestly believe that we'll all benefit in the long run. _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist and the hardest time in a sailor's day is to watch the sun as it sails away
