Illegal Drugs and the associated costs

[Glenn9643]

The "Marijuana" post brought a thought up that I've been considering for a while.
I've never been a "user" other than alcohol and tobacco, and that's enough (perhaps more than) for me.
Did you ever consider what percentage of prison/jail inmates are doing their time directly or indirectly because of illegal drug use or sale? How much does it cost to house them and take care of them?
Did you ever consider how much of our crime is related to illegal drug use or sale?
Did you ever think about the ever-increasing number of law enforcement personnel that are required due directly or indirectly to illegal drugs?
That's a tremendous amount of our money that could be well utilized in other areas if it was available.
I'm not knowledgeable in this area by any means, but it seems to me that these people selling would have to do something else if the drugs were readily available at a low cost from a pharmacy or other government regulated outlet. Those who want the drugs are going to get them one way or another. If they were available cheaply they wouldn't have to rob the gas station or knock someone in the head to get their fix. If this were properly thought out and implemented some of the expenditures going to fight the crime and house the inmate populations could be spent on treatment and counseling programs for the users.
My thoughts are that if done right this could really improve our society.

 

[daedong]

Marijuana is decriminalised in my state (South Australia). There is now talk form the opposition government that if they were to get back in power they would make it a criminal offence again because of the costs association with mental health.

 

[Dargo]

I seem to be one of the few in my generation who never tried marijuana. I have always been allergic to smoke, so the idea never actually crossed my mind. However, I do know several people who at least did partake in the wacky weed. Other than seeming to have a huge appetite, they generally seemed to be quite mellow. They seemed to be so mellow that I couldn't see them going out to commit a crime. That would involve too much activity for them.

With that being the case, it seems odd for me that the government allows the sale of cigarettes which simply are a delivery vehicle for a different drug, nicotine. It seems odd that the government allows the use of smoking certain weeds, but not others. Afterall, alcohol is legal and I've seen people much more out of control on alcohol than on pot.

 

[dzalphakilo]

They seemed to be so mellow that I couldn't see them going out to commit a crime.

When's the last time you saw two "stoners" getting into a "brawl"?

 

[bczoom]

When's the last time you saw two "stoners" getting into a "brawl"?

When there was only one snack between the 2 of them to cure their munchies

 

[dzalphakilo]

Not to get off the subject, but pertaining to societys veiws on what should be illegal and not, here in my county, alcohol sales are illegal (AKA a dry county). The county is made up of a majority of farmers, but, the wine industry starting to take off locally (theres an "award winning" vinyard a couple of miles down the street from me). The "debate" in the county now is if those vinyards should be able to allow wine tasting on their property. What makes this sort of funny is that the tabacco farming is on a "downswing", and the wine industry is "taking off" and even bringing tourist to the county.

What's sort of ironic is that there is also a "heated debate" on making tabacco products illegal to use on school property. Yes, people can still smoke or chew on school property if you're of legal age. Some people want to make it illegal, but it probably won't happen.