Drug Legalization, Criminalization, and Harm Reduction

[mat1583]

Here's an interesting article about the legalization of drugs and how prohibition has done nothing but increase the abuse of drugs and crime associated with illegal drugs.

http://www.cato.org/testimony/ct-dbz061699.html

The article is a little long, but I recommend you read the whole thing. I will go ahead and post a few interesting quotes from the article. Discuss and enjoy :)

"Ours is a federal republic. The federal government has only the powers granted to it in the Constitution. And the United States has a tradition of individual liberty, vigorous civil society, and limited government: just because a problem is identified does not mean that the government ought to undertake to solve it, and just because a problem occurs in more than one state does not mean that it is a proper subject for federal policy.

Perhaps no area more clearly demonstrates the bad consequences of not following such rules than drug prohibition. The long federal experiment in prohibition of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs has given us unprecedented crime and corruption combined with a manifest failure to stop the use of drugs or reduce their availability to children. "

"Congress should recognize the failure of prohibition and end the federal government's war on drugs. First and foremost, the federal drug laws are constitutionally dubious. As previously noted, the federal government can only exercise the powers that have been delegated to it. The Tenth Amendment reserves all other powers to the states or to the people. However misguided the alcohol prohibitionists turned out to be, they deserve credit for honoring our constitutional system by seeking a constitutional amendment that would explicitly authorize a national policy on the sale of alcohol. Congress never asked the American people for additional constitutional powers to declare a war on drug consumers.

Second, drug prohibition creates high levels of crime. Addicts are forced to commit crimes to pay for a habit that would be easily affordable if it were legal. Police sources have estimated that as much as half the property crime in some major cities is committed by drug users. More dramatically, because drugs are illegal, participants in the drug trade cannot go to court to settle disputes, whether between buyer and seller or between rival sellers. When black-market contracts are breached, the result is often some form of violent sanction, which usually leads to retaliation and then open warfare in the streets. "

"The War on Drugs has lasted longer than Prohibition, longer than the War in Vietnam. But there is no light at the end of this tunnel. Prohibition has failed, again, and should be repealed, again."

-washboard

[Grank]

i think tobacco is a more dangerous drug than maryjewwanna... i can't think of anything else i might even consider legalizing.

[musicjaytee]

I believe that entirely. I think it was a CCR song that said "take a glass of water, make it against the law, see how good the water tastes, when you can't have any more".

I've been to Ireland, even had a drink there when I was 17. In the three days that we spent there (three weeks in Germany, Austria, France and Ireland), we ran into one tipsy guy. And yes, we were in a pub at night. Alcohol isn't anything big over there, so there really isn't much 'thrill' to it.

Think about what happened during....I forgot the stinkin' word....when they made all alcohol illegal. Bet a ton more people died of alcohol poisoning then.

[Grank]

prohibition...

i like the ccr reference by the way.

[mat1583]

prohibition...

i like the ccr reference by the way.

ditto :)

-washboard

[DareDevil]

I'm no professional there, but the Dutch say that the average drug consumption there dropped considerably after they had started their liberal drug policy. This doesn't necessarily mean that their approach is suitable for every country but every country should take a closer look at it, I think.

[musicjaytee]

I'm no professional there, but the Dutch say that the average drug consumption there dropped considerably after they had started their liberal drug policy. This doesn't necessarily mean that their approach is suitable for every country but every country should take a closer look at it, I think.
I agree. Legalization obviously wouldn't end the problem. As long as there are substances, someone will abuse them. However, there would be a noticable drop.

If there was no legal age for alcohol, there would still be alcoholics, but the 'power hour' would diminish significantly.

[kiwisongbird]

Dunno, when I was involved in that lifestyle I knew heaps of people who were too scared to smoke dope cos it was illegal and who said they would if it was not illegal... also since the drinking age has been lowered in New Zealand to 18, we now have 12 and 13 year old totally drunk in the streets.

[Evanescence]

My buddy almost died of a Heroine addiction and it wrecked his life...and mine, he stole from me and now we dont speak.

The comparison of prohibition, Alcohol and these types of drugs is ludicrous. These drugs are 1000 times more addictive and destructive. Drunks seldom go on stealing spree's out of their mind. I've sen the insanity of hard drugs and its BAD. I've seen the effects of Alcoholism....my father is arecovering Alcoholic....28 yrs sober....and it pales in comparison.

Pot would be the only thing I'd look at MAYBE legalizing. Everything else is simply the devils playground and the destruction of this country.

Funny how many people were outraged when terrorists hit on 9/11, but yet were too dumb to relaize the Coke, Heroin, XTC or Meth they buy every week help fund it.

Its different when the worm has turned.....

[mat1583]

Dunno, when I was involved in that lifestyle I knew heaps of people who were too scared to smoke dope cos it was illegal and who said they would if it was not illegal... also since the drinking age has been lowered in New Zealand to 18, we now have 12 and 13 year old totally drunk in the streets.

Well there will always be the group of people that won't do something because they fear the punishment for being caught doing something illegal...but then there will also be the group who really don't give a rat's batooty and will do it anyway, and by unsafe means. Once again, just take a look at the prohibition of alcohol. The same is going on now with drugs, yet when society is not willing to admit that there is no difference...or even when they do, they don't want to make a difference by repealling the laws regarding drug use.

-washboard

[DareDevil]

The Netherlands


In order to appreciate the Dutch approach to drug policy, certain characteristics of Dutch society must be kept in mind. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated, urbanized countries in the world. It has a population of 15.5 million, occupying an area of no more than 41,526 km2. The Dutch firmly believe in the freedom of the individual, with the government playing no more than a background role in religious or moral issues. A cherished feature of Dutch society is the free and open discussion of such issues. A high value is attached to the well-being of society as a whole, as witness the extensive social security system and the fact that everyone has access to health care and education.

During the 1970’s a violent heroin market led the Dutch government to establish a drug policy working group which came to be known as the Baan Commission. Its recommendations largely determined the course of the Netherlands’ drug policy. The core features of the Dutch system as established by the Baan Commission are rooted in the concept of harm reduction, i.e., the minimization of the risks and hazards of drug use rather than the suppression of all drugs. Dutch drug policy gives priority to health care and prevention while, simultaneously, directing aggressive enforcement measures against organized crime.

A wide range of harm reduction interventions are in use in the Netherlands. Methadone maintenance is available on demand. In 1998, a number of Dutch cities started experimenting with prescribing heroin, in combination with methadone, on medical grounds. Approximately 750 addicts are involved in the comparison of treatment with methadone and treatment with methadone and heroin. The experiment is still ongoing and a comprehensive evaluation has yet to be published. To prevent HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C, syringe exchange programs were developed in the 1980s; today, 130 programs are operating in 60 Dutch cities and towns.

With respect to the supply side of the drug market, Dutch drug policy reflects the international repressive norm. On the demand side of the equation, however, a unique approach is evident. The Dutch policy recognizes that drug use may often just be a youthful indiscretion, but emphasizes compassion and treatment for those who develop drug use problems. Using this pragmatic approach, the government sets clear priorities based on the perceived risks of particular drugs. Public health is the overriding concern. Key elements of Dutch drug policy include:

- the central aim is the prevention or alleviation of social and individual risks caused by drug use;
- there must be a rational relation between those risks and policy measures;
- a differentiation of policy measures must also take into account the risks of legal recreational and medical drugs;
- repressive measures against drug trafficking (other than trafficking of cannabis) are a priority; and
- the inadequacy of criminal law with respect to other aspects (i.e., apart from trafficking) of the drug problem is recognized.

A key aspect of Dutch drug policy is the notion of market separation. By classifying drugs according to the risks posed and then pursuing policies that serve to isolate each market, it is felt that users of soft drugs are less likely to come into contact with users of hard drugs. Thus, the theory goes, users of soft drugs are less likely to try hard drugs. Possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use has been decriminalized in the Netherlands. The sale of cannabis is technically an offence under the Opium Act, but prosecutorial guidelines provide that proceedings will only be instituted in certain situations. An operator or owner of a coffee shop (which is not permitted to sell alcohol) will avoid prosecution if he/she meets the following criteria:

- no more than 5 grams per person may be sold in any one transaction;
- no hard drugs may be sold;
- drugs may not be advertised;
- the coffee shop must not cause any nuisance;
- no drugs can be sold to minors (under age 18), nor may minors enter the premises; and
- the municipality has not ordered the establishment closed.

Separating the markets by allowing people to purchase soft drugs in a setting where they are not exposed to the criminal subculture surrounding hard drugs is intended to create a social barrier that prevents people experimenting with drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, drugs deemed an “unacceptable risk.” Decriminalization of the possession of soft drugs for personal use and the toleration of sales in controlled circumstances has not resulted in a worryingly high level of consumption among young people. The extent and nature of the use of soft drugs does not differ from the pattern in other Western countries. As for hard drugs, the number of addicts in the Netherlands is low compared with the rest of Europe and considerably lower than that in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Dutch rates of drug use (http://www.csdp.org/ads/dutch2.htm) are lower than U.S. rates in every category.



http://www.drugpolicy.org/global/drugpolicyby/westerneurop/thenetherlan/

[Evanescence]

The Netherlands


In order to appreciate the Dutch approach to drug policy, certain characteristics of Dutch society must be kept in mind. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated, urbanized countries in the world. It has a population of 15.5 million, occupying an area of no more than 41,526 km2. The Dutch firmly believe in the freedom of the individual, with the government playing no more than a background role in religious or moral issues. A cherished feature of Dutch society is the free and open discussion of such issues. A high value is attached to the well-being of society as a whole, as witness the extensive social security system and the fact that everyone has access to health care and education.

During the 1970’s a violent heroin market led the Dutch government to establish a drug policy working group which came to be known as the Baan Commission. Its recommendations largely determined the course of the Netherlands’ drug policy. The core features of the Dutch system as established by the Baan Commission are rooted in the concept of harm reduction, i.e., the minimization of the risks and hazards of drug use rather than the suppression of all drugs. Dutch drug policy gives priority to health care and prevention while, simultaneously, directing aggressive enforcement measures against organized crime.

A wide range of harm reduction interventions are in use in the Netherlands. Methadone maintenance is available on demand. In 1998, a number of Dutch cities started experimenting with prescribing heroin, in combination with methadone, on medical grounds. Approximately 750 addicts are involved in the comparison of treatment with methadone and treatment with methadone and heroin. The experiment is still ongoing and a comprehensive evaluation has yet to be published. To prevent HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C, syringe exchange programs were developed in the 1980s; today, 130 programs are operating in 60 Dutch cities and towns.

With respect to the supply side of the drug market, Dutch drug policy reflects the international repressive norm. On the demand side of the equation, however, a unique approach is evident. The Dutch policy recognizes that drug use may often just be a youthful indiscretion, but emphasizes compassion and treatment for those who develop drug use problems. Using this pragmatic approach, the government sets clear priorities based on the perceived risks of particular drugs. Public health is the overriding concern. Key elements of Dutch drug policy include:

- the central aim is the prevention or alleviation of social and individual risks caused by drug use;
- there must be a rational relation between those risks and policy measures;
- a differentiation of policy measures must also take into account the risks of legal recreational and medical drugs;
- repressive measures against drug trafficking (other than trafficking of cannabis) are a priority; and
- the inadequacy of criminal law with respect to other aspects (i.e., apart from trafficking) of the drug problem is recognized.

A key aspect of Dutch drug policy is the notion of market separation. By classifying drugs according to the risks posed and then pursuing policies that serve to isolate each market, it is felt that users of soft drugs are less likely to come into contact with users of hard drugs. Thus, the theory goes, users of soft drugs are less likely to try hard drugs. Possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use has been decriminalized in the Netherlands. The sale of cannabis is technically an offence under the Opium Act, but prosecutorial guidelines provide that proceedings will only be instituted in certain situations. An operator or owner of a coffee shop (which is not permitted to sell alcohol) will avoid prosecution if he/she meets the following criteria:

- no more than 5 grams per person may be sold in any one transaction;
- no hard drugs may be sold;
- drugs may not be advertised;
- the coffee shop must not cause any nuisance;
- no drugs can be sold to minors (under age 18), nor may minors enter the premises; and
- the municipality has not ordered the establishment closed.

Separating the markets by allowing people to purchase soft drugs in a setting where they are not exposed to the criminal subculture surrounding hard drugs is intended to create a social barrier that prevents people experimenting with drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, drugs deemed an “unacceptable risk.” Decriminalization of the possession of soft drugs for personal use and the toleration of sales in controlled circumstances has not resulted in a worryingly high level of consumption among young people. The extent and nature of the use of soft drugs does not differ from the pattern in other Western countries. As for hard drugs, the number of addicts in the Netherlands is low compared with the rest of Europe and considerably lower than that in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Dutch rates of drug use (http://www.csdp.org/ads/dutch2.htm) are lower than U.S. rates in every category.



http://www.drugpolicy.org/global/drugpolicyby/westerneurop/thenetherlan/

Not Apples to Apples....:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[kiwisongbird]

If you smoke marijuana you become more open to trying harder drugs - I guess the element of these being more difficult to obtain would help a little, but I found that by smoking dope I just knew more people who took the harder stuff...

I don't know if any of you have been to Holland for any amount of time, but I think perhaps these things look better on paper than in reality!!

[Grank]

If you smoke marijuana you become more open to trying harder drugs - I guess the element of these being more difficult to obtain would help a little, but I found that by smoking dope I just knew more people who took the harder stuff...

I don't know if any of you have been to Holland for any amount of time, but I think perhaps these things look better on paper than in reality!!
um... how does weed lead to other drugs? i know many people who smoke only weed and wouldn't do anything else. i guess if yo're a kid and you start smoke'n to be a rebel and then you realize there are other thigns you can get and be even more of a rebel. other than that... i disagree.

[kiwisongbird]

Maybe for me it was more that because of it I knew people who sold and/or used other stuff - so it becomes more available.

The addictive aspect is not good either - you get that with cigarettes and alcohol as well as harder drugs... if you have an addictive personality (which you don't know about until you begin ingesting an addictive substance) then the danger is that you'll get bored with one high and put out the feelers to try another one.

[mat1583]

Maybe for me it was more that because of it I knew people who sold and/or used other stuff - so it becomes more available.


The other aspect is that you're already doing something illegal...so if you're going to do something illegal, why just mess with the weak stuff & get tossed in jail for it. Might as well go all out and get the strong stuff.

The point though, isn't that people might start using the more addictive or more harmful drugs...but that the prohibition of drugs has lead to not only an increase in the amount of 'illegal' and harmful drugs, but also and increase in crime associated with drug dealing (murder, theft, etc.) The prohibition and the drug war has hurt more than it has helped, and it's about time for something to be done!

-washboard

[Pouye]

The other aspect is that you're already doing something illegal...so if you're going to do something illegal, why just mess with the weak stuff & get tossed in jail for it. Might as well go all out and get the strong stuff.

The point though, isn't that people might start using the more addictive or more harmful drugs...but that the prohibition of drugs has lead to not only an increase in the amount of 'illegal' and harmful drugs, but also and increase in crime associated with drug dealing (murder, theft, etc.) The prohibition and the drug war has hurt more than it has helped, and it's about time for something to be done!

-washboard

The "something" isn't to do what you have suggested, that's for sure.

Here is a good article that, if a person takes the time to read it, might understand the reasons that I think European drug policies are just as much as a failure as the "war on drugs".

http://www.city-journal.org/html/7_2_a1.html

Rock

[mat1583]

The "something" isn't to do what you have suggested, that's for sure.

Here is a good article that, if a person takes the time to read it, might understand the reasons that I think European drug policies are just as much as a failure as the "war on drugs".

http://www.city-journal.org/html/7_2_a1.html

Rock

Just wanted to let you know I haven't ignored your post. Our internet has been down the past 4 days at our apt, therefore the only time I get a chance to be on the internet is at work...and well...I try to get at least a little work done here ;). Have no fear, I will read it when I get a chance!

-washboard

[WeaselInYerFoot]

Sorry if I change the subject, but the first paragraph of your quote (Washboard) reminded me of a 3 part documentary that will soon be comming out. Shiek it out! (http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/americafreedomtofascism/trailer/)