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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
jr602az

jr602az

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:) Hello everybody

Do you think that drug addicts are criminals & why?
 
jr602az said:
:) Hello everybody

Do you think that drug addicts are criminals & why?
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depends on the drug, if they're addicted to tobacco or alcohol, then they're not criminals, if they're addicted to heroin or cocaine, then they're criminals 'cause its illegal to posses said drugs
 
jr602az said:
:) Hello everybody

Do you think that drug addicts are criminals & why?
Click to expand...

Depends. If you are discussing the act of being a drug addict, no. If you are discussing the behaviors that a drug addict may do in order to get/use his/her drugs, quite possibly.
 
I wonder how long before Rush Limbaughs name crops up
 
I am under the assumption that these are addicts of illegal drugs. In that case, the law declares certain drugs to be illegal.

If you are asking me about my feelings on the matter. I think most drugs should probably stay illegal, however the less harmful ones like weed should be legalized.
 
If they are breaking the law they are criminals
 
I had to go with other on this.

It would clearly depend on the circumstance. Lets take alcohol for instance. Drinking it is legal but if you drink to much it can contribute to illegal acts.

The using of any drug (legal or not) if done responsibly is not the problem. The problem would arise if the use contributed to the committing of a crime, or infringing on someone else's rights to be secure.
 
I don't think drug use is inherently wrong, no. But by legal definition, illicit drug users are criminals. Reading a bit further into the question, though, I voted No. I assume you were asking whether or not we believe they should be automatically deemed a criminal.
 
It is not illegal to BE a drug addict, and this by itself should in no way be construed as being criminal.

It is illegal to PROCURE many drugs that are feeding these addictions, thus it forces an addict to deal in a criminal product and market.

Drug addicts are forced into their criminality to feed their addiction, which only exacerbates a situation that is already seemingly hopeless and inescapable.

Our approach to controlling our drug problems by making drugs criminal exacerbate a situation that is already extremely problematic.
 
spud_meister said:
depends on the drug, if they're addicted to tobacco or alcohol, then they're not criminals, if they're addicted to heroin or cocaine, then they're criminals 'cause its illegal to posses said drugs
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Same as the above.
 
Drug users are certainly criminals where such drug use is illegal. That's not debatable.
 
marduc said:
It is not illegal to BE a drug addict, and this by itself should in no way be construed as being criminal.

It is illegal to PROCURE many drugs that are feeding these addictions, thus it forces an addict to deal in a criminal product and market.

Drug addicts are forced into their criminality to feed their addiction, which only exacerbates a situation that is already seemingly hopeless and inescapable.

Our approach to controlling our drug problems by making drugs criminal exacerbate a situation that is already extremely problematic.
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I was SO right there with you til the "Drug addicts are forced into their criminality to feed their addiction" part.
 
Drug addicts are people with weak will power. they have addictive personalities. and they give drugs a bad name. --I've sampled most everything, and other than Skoal, have no addiction to anything. Got to have at least one vice I figure. the Law makes them Criminals. But if drugs were legal, they would not be. Nor would they need to resort to a life of crime to obtain the drugs they have become addicted to.
 
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Since the question was general, and included every type of drug addict that can exist, I have to say "no". Not all drugs are illegal, so one cannot say all drug addicts are criminals.
 
marduc said:
It is not illegal to BE a drug addict, and this by itself should in no way be construed as being criminal.

It is illegal to PROCURE many drugs that are feeding these addictions, thus it forces an addict to deal in a criminal product and market.

Drug addicts are forced into their criminality to feed their addiction, which only exacerbates a situation that is already seemingly hopeless and inescapable.

Our approach to controlling our drug problems by making drugs criminal exacerbate a situation that is already extremely problematic.
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Amen brother!
 
spud_meister said:
depends on the drug, if they're addicted to tobacco or alcohol, then they're not criminals, if they're addicted to heroin or cocaine, then they're criminals 'cause its illegal to posses said drugs
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In reality, that does not make the drug use a criminal. The approach is too simplistic for a complex problem.
Man is overly rebellious..and too militaristic. A different approach must be used to prevent the initial use of drugs....an appeal to one intellect..One can say that druggies are just plain stupid, but what good does that do ?
 
Tucker Case said:
Doesn't that standard basically mean the vast majority of people over the age of 18 are criminals?
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I don't know, are you asserting that the vast majority of people over the age of 18 use illegal drugs?
 
The act of addiction itself isn't a crime, so no. If they are breaking the law to feed that addiction, then they need to be tried in court.

If they are found guilty in court then they are criminals. Until then, they are innocent.
 
VanceMack said:
I was SO right there with you til the "Drug addicts are forced into their criminality to feed their addiction" part.
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I second guessed my word choice after I posted, forced is an overstatement, this would be more accurate:

"Drug addicts are driven into their criminality to feed their addiction"

If you talk to an addict, I am sure they would be more in agreement with the usage of the word force, since addiction can be all consuming, and many an addict feels as if they have no control if whether or not they use.

It is this mindset that needs to be overcame to break the addiction, and convuluting the mental and physical problems of addiction with a criminal problem does not help to break the addicts mindset of "forced" feeding of their addiction.

It is easy to brush off the realities of addiction when you are on the outside looking in.
 
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