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Do You Think Drug Addicts Are Criminals?

Do You Think Drug Addicts Are Criminals?

  • Yes

    Votes: 13 26.5%

  • No

    Votes: 22 44.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 14 28.6%
  • Total voters
    49
If they're using illegal drugs, yes they are criminals.

Should the drugs be illegal though? That's a different issue altogether. And I'm of the mindset that they should all be legal. What I put in my body is my damn business.
 
Luna Tick said:
A person can become psychologically addicted to anything. However, the chemically addictive substances like heroin are by far the most addictive.
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Marijuana is not very addictive. Not like my Marlboro Reds, that's for damn sure!
 
rivrrat said:
If they're using illegal drugs, yes they are criminals.

Should the drugs be illegal though? That's a different issue altogether. And I'm of the mindset that they should all be legal. What I put in my body is my damn business.
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Except for maybe your employer. For critical occupations, such as airline pilots, policemen and firemen, taxi and bus drivers, medical professionals, and educators, I believe they should be able to do drug tests. Some occupations are too important to allow those professionals to be doped up on one substance or another. Basically, if your job means you're responsible for the life or well-being of another person, you're not allowed to do drugs. Like I said before, I don't mind drug use as long as they are responsible about it.
 
samsmart said:
Except for maybe your employer. For critical occupations, such as airline pilots, policemen and firemen, taxi and bus drivers, medical professionals, and educators, I believe they should be able to do drug tests. Some occupations are too important to allow those professionals to be doped up on one substance or another. Basically, if your job means you're responsible for the life or well-being of another person, you're not allowed to do drugs. Like I said before, I don't mind drug use as long as they are responsible about it.
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As long as I'm not stoned while I'm working, what I do in my off time (such as drinking) is not their business. And, until they have tests that can prove someone is under the effects of something at that point in time (like alcohol), I think drug testing for jobs is unfair to the employee. If they test me for pot, all it proves is that I've smoked it in the last month. It says nothing about whether or not I've been under the influence while working.
 
rivrrat said:
As long as I'm not stoned while I'm working, what I do in my off time (such as drinking) is not their business. And, until they have tests that can prove someone is under the effects of something at that point in time (like alcohol), I think drug testing for jobs is unfair to the employee. If they test me for pot, all it proves is that I've smoked it in the last month. It says nothing about whether or not I've been under the influence while working.
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Oops, I posted a Urine Test. I meant to post this Saliva Test: Oralert Saliva Multi Drug Test Kit (6 drugs)
 
rivrrat said:
That doesn't address the issue I'm speaking of though. I could test positive for any one of those right now, and all it means is that I used them in the last 30 days or so (depending on the drug) It doesn't say whether or not I'm actually under the influence of any one of those drugs at the time I took the test.
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I reposted a Saliva test. I think it only detects use in the last day or so.
 
rivrrat said:
As long as I'm not stoned while I'm working, what I do in my off time (such as drinking) is not their business. And, until they have tests that can prove someone is under the effects of something at that point in time (like alcohol), I think drug testing for jobs is unfair to the employee. If they test me for pot, all it proves is that I've smoked it in the last month. It says nothing about whether or not I've been under the influence while working.
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Except that the effects of some drugs can show up even while a person is at work, and some occupations, such as law enforcement, emergency services, medical personnel, and aviators have occupations too critical or too sensitive to allow them to use any drug they want. I'm not talking about alcohol so much as I'm talking about marijuana, heroin and cocaine.
 
samsmart said:
Except that the effects of some drugs can show up even while a person is at work, and some occupations, such as law enforcement, emergency services, medical personnel, and aviators have occupations too critical or too sensitive to allow them to use any drug they want. I'm not talking about alcohol so much as I'm talking about marijuana, heroin and cocaine.
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They can't just show up randomly. If I use coke Friday night after work, the effects are not going to be present Monday morning. Or even during the day Saturday.
 
reefedjib said:
I reposted a Saliva test. I think it only detects use in the last day or so.
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That would at least be better than the urine test. However, still not quite as accurate as a blood alcohol level test.
 
rivrrat said:
That would at least be better than the urine test. However, still not quite as accurate as a blood alcohol level test.
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No. It may improve, who knows. Perhaps they can isolate the concentration better for an active high, instead of a residual high, and indicate that.
 
By the letter of the law, drug addicts are criminals as they trade in, use, and sell a controlled substance.

As to the spirit, no I wouldnt say they were. People close to me have had struggles with drugs and after a while it becomes less of an "I want" as an "I need" where withdrawal produces violent physical symptoms and the brain chemistry starts forming a dependency.

Socially, I think it does us a disservice to treat addicts like criminals. The vast majority of drug abusers are people who do want to be clean, but it's hard to fight brain chemistry.
 
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