Prohibition isn't working. New, more stringent control of prescription drugs isn't working. In fact, since hydrocodone was moved to Schedule II heroin OD's have risen sharply - they are definitely related.
So what is the answer? More restrictions, more cops, more jails, less civil liberties? Decriminalization? Relaxation of prescription controls? More methadone/treatment clinics?
The purity/impurity of street drugs is certainly playing a role. Decriminalization - it would seem would help "clean" that up.
I know for sure that drugs will not go away no matter how much we wish they would. People are going to use. So how do we reduce deaths? Or do we just say screw it and not care?
I am moving more and more toward complete decriminalization for adults. You still can't drive under the influence or neglect your kids, but you won't go to jail for being an addict. And you may be less likely to die from an overdose. We can even take the money saved on prisons, law enforcement, and that gained in taxes to put toward something else, like treatment. Not perfect, but the current situation is unacceptable.
On a side note, decriminalization might also reduce inner city violent crime/gun deaths and reduce contentious interactions with police in which police or citizens lose their lives.
The war on drugs is lost and should be ended.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/health/heroin-opioid-drug-overdose-deaths-visual-guide/index.html
So what is the answer? More restrictions, more cops, more jails, less civil liberties? Decriminalization? Relaxation of prescription controls? More methadone/treatment clinics?
The purity/impurity of street drugs is certainly playing a role. Decriminalization - it would seem would help "clean" that up.
I know for sure that drugs will not go away no matter how much we wish they would. People are going to use. So how do we reduce deaths? Or do we just say screw it and not care?
I am moving more and more toward complete decriminalization for adults. You still can't drive under the influence or neglect your kids, but you won't go to jail for being an addict. And you may be less likely to die from an overdose. We can even take the money saved on prisons, law enforcement, and that gained in taxes to put toward something else, like treatment. Not perfect, but the current situation is unacceptable.
On a side note, decriminalization might also reduce inner city violent crime/gun deaths and reduce contentious interactions with police in which police or citizens lose their lives.
The war on drugs is lost and should be ended.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/health/heroin-opioid-drug-overdose-deaths-visual-guide/index.html
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