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Gun Violence Chicago

Maidenrules29 said:
Here's the evidence.

BOP Statistics: Inmate Offenses.

From the Bureau of Prisons. There are a high percentage of convicts in prison for "drug crimes", but it doesn't break that percentage down to distinguish between users, dealers, traffickers, etc. Besides, mere drug "users" usually don't get prison time, they get JAIL time, (which is somewhat of a difference) unless they are habitual offenders.
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Er pardon me but doesn't that show that easily the most common crimes are "drug offences"

Try again


Are you in favor of legalizing all commonly abused drugs or are there some that you would keep as "schedule 1"?
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Well I'm definitely in favor of decriminalizing drug use and I'm coming round to the view that all drugs should be legalized.
 
Rich2018 said:
Er pardon me but doesn't that show that easily the most common crimes are "drug offences"

Try again




Well I'm definitely in favor of decriminalizing drug use and I'm coming round to the view that all drugs should be legalized.
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Most common, yes. but as a whole still under 50% of the total population. Who needs to "try again" now? And those are all grouped under "offenses" Isn't it just the poor little "drug user" that you want to be lenient towards?
 
Maidenrules29 said:
Most common, yes. but as a whole still under 50% of the total population. Who needs to "try again" now? And those are all grouped under "offenses" Isn't it just the poor little "drug user" that you want to be lenient towards?
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LOL - if you've done the math and added them all up


Drug offences are still easily the most common reason why inmates are in jail - and I don't think anyone said over 50% of inmates are convicted for drug related crimes did they ?


So legalizing drugs would wipe a huge chunk off the corrections budget.

Try again.
 
Rich2018 said:
LOL - if you've done the math and added them all up


Drug offences are still easily the most common reason why inmates are in jail - and I don't think anyone said over 50% of inmates are convicted for drug related crimes did they ?


So legalizing drugs would wipe a huge chunk off the corrections budget.

Try again.
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I'm sorry rich but there's no way that the federal government or even individual states are going to legalize drugs like heroin or PCP. That would be akin to state sponsored murder. Marijuana was legalized because there are some therapeutic benefits to it and nobody dies from overdosing on it. Even if somehow those drugs did get legalized, there are also prescription drugs that people are always going to want to get on the black market. drugs like fentanyl and morphine and percocet will always have to be prescribed thus there will always be a black market for people who want to take those drugs who cannot get a prescription for them. I hope you are not advocating for a world where drugs like that can just be bought over the counter or at a dispensary like marijuana for anybody to indulge. you do understand how strong fentanyl is correct?
 
Maidenrules29 said:
I'm sorry rich but there's no way that the federal government or even individual states are going to legalize drugs like heroin or PCP. That would be akin to state sponsored murder.
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I thought that way too until I read about Portugal's experiment with de-criminalizing drug use
So addicts didn't fear the police if they admitted having drugs and sought help


What would be the "up" side to legalizing drugs ?

1. Massive savings in correctional facilities
2. Massive reduction in crime, with hugs $$$ savings in fighting a losing battle
3. Taxation $$$
4. Elimination of criminal gangs and the related violence
5. Massive reduction is cost of fighting war on drugs, disbandment of DEA
6. Treatment plans are easier and the stigma of being an addict is reduced. Addicts more willing to come forward etc

I think a conservative estimate in cost savings + taxation revenue would be of the order of 100's of billions $$$


So what is the "down" side ?

1. Increased drug use (this probably would happen but the Portuguese experience suggests not by much and it might just be the case of addicts coming foward that no-one knew of

That's it really


Other issues:

1 No-one has the right to say what you can ingest/inject into your body
The argument against this is OK, but drug addicts will make themselves unemployable and still use criminal means to get drugs
If people can abuse their bodies and we're OK with it, but what about their dependents ?

2. I've heard it argued that the War on Drugs has seen out 4th amendment rights absolutely trampled

All Drugs Should Be Legalized - YouTube


Bottom line: The War on Drugs is an unwinnable war, just like prohibition
Time to cede defeat and save hundreds of billions fighting a losing battle.
 
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