Posted by Trixie on July 06, 1998 at 09:48:23:
In Reply to: Some things are worth fighting for. posted by cm on July 05, 1998 at 23:27:10:
You've misinterpreted one of my points. I am not saying that we should not fight the misuse of drugs at all. Compare this to nicotene, a harmful substance many more people are addicted to than are addicted to illegal drugs, with its attendent outrageous drain to our medical system. However, I do not believe cigarettes should be illegal at all. I believe that they should be taxed accordingly, to offset the medical costs of the results of smoking, I believe that education (clear, objective education, not simplistic slogans)should be widespread, I believe the advertising should be limited (maybe even more than it is), but NOT illegal. With drugs, I believe that education (clear, objective) should be widespread, advertising limited or non-existent, and rehab clinics free and accessible (funded by appropriate taxing of the substances that cause the addiction in the first place). Right now, we "fight" the war by putting pushers (largely black ones)in jail, by illegalizing the substance which causes the underground production to be so lucrative to gangs, which breed crimes in turn. And, has this worked????? In a word - NO. Why throw good money after bad? Why are we so afraid to change our tactics when the ones we're using so clearly do NOT work???