I'm not necessarily calling for the legalisation of everything. In fact I think that would be a bad idea. Some sort of licensing seems far more sensible to me.
With heroin, the Swiss approach of medicalising the problem, rather than criminalising saw a 90% drop in drug related crime. The junkies go to a clinic each day and get their supply. So that's the mafia/drug gangs out the loop.
I also think there is considerable merit in the Dutch Coffee Shop approach to cannabis. It neatly separates 'hard' and 'soft' drugs. I am reliably informed by Dutch friends that most Dutch teenagers now regard cannabis as rather uncool. IE, it's no emblem of teenage rebellion.
A good friends ex girlfriend is a recovered heroin addict. Next time I bump into her I'll ask her to make a post here under my monicker. I'll make it plain that it's her speaking. She may not want to do it, but no harm asking. With the individual concerned I know heroin was the first illegal drug she ever took. Three guesses as to how she mostly financed her habit!
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"There's no way to rule innocent men.
The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals.
Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them.
One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."~ Ayn Rand.
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