| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Time for a re-think on drugs law ? | |
| Posted by: | John Hickman | |
| Date/Time: | 01/10/13 10:41:00 |
| On the surface this seems an idea worth debating. Some entries on this thread talk about cost cutting in terms of police time and helping addicts via the NHS. If this proposal should happen (very unlikely) decriminalised drugs will be controlled as to strength and purity to minimise the downsides of the drug. Whilst both of these are arguably a good thing, there will still be an element of criminal that will sell either stronger and/or less pure stuff. The police will get need to involved here. On top of this, criminals will also find other illegal stuff to do. I don't see police time being reduced. Nor do I see the numbers of police as being reducible or the police budget. As to the NHS, if I believe the papers (why wouldn't I??) it is already underfunded and does not have sufficient people. How does giving it more to do help? (Please don't use the alcohol/tobacco argument. We do that because of history. I think we should use the NHS to help those who are ill, not those who inflict illness on themselves. If you want to discuss sports injuries and/or injuries caused by drivers to themselves in a car accident, please do but, arguable, there should be insurance for these sorts of injury). Also just because drugs are available legally does not mean to say that addicts will stop committing crime to finance their drug habit. The NHS will still have to charge for drugs as they have to be bought and the NHS has to ensure they are sufficiently pure and of the correct strength. |