| Topic: | Re:Time for a re-think on drugs law ? | |
| Posted by: | Alastair Banton | |
| Date/Time: | 01/10/13 11:39:00 |
| ‘there will still be an element of criminal that will sell either stronger and/or less pure stuff.’ Yes, but there would surely be less of this and less demand under the regime I’m advocating which would be an improvement. ‘On top of this, criminals will also find other illegal stuff to do.’ Maybe, but to undermine a major source of their current income can only have a beneficial effect. ‘I think we should use the NHS to help those who are ill, not those who inflict illness on themselves.’ And I’m sure the Daily Mail would agree with you, but this does open a can of worms regarding obesity and smoking for example. And similar arguments were used about AIDS. And it’s not just about the addict themselves, but the effects on society as a whole. Call me a flabby liberal if you like, but I think we should err on the side of helping. The general aim is to reduce harm - to society and individuals. ‘just because drugs are available legally does not mean to say that addicts will stop committing crime to finance their drug habit’ But they surely would. By being under medical supervision and not having to pay for their fix, they would be much better able to hold down a job and live a normal life. Everybody would win. As for the cost to the NHS, as I mentioned before, interventions like providing addicts with clean needles and pure heroin has been shown to be cost effective. |