Abolish prisions says former Lib Dem Frontbencher

Zak64 · 14-08-2007, 03:32 PM

Good point(s).

If I had to compare and contrast the various pathologies and toxicities relating to all legal/illegal drugs I'd be chained to this PC for the next six months!

As you quite rightly point out, there is no pharmacologically pure heroin on the street, and you can O/D on clean heroin. In the ideal world no one would abuse alcohol, and no one would become drug dependant. But sadly that is not the reality we face in Britain today.

I'm more interested in a harm reduction approach. The straightforward prohibitionist approach seems, to me at any rate, to have caused more problems than it has solved.

Westcountryman · 14-08-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zak Zzygote

Good point(s).

If I had to compare and contrast the various pathologies and toxicities relating to all legal/illegal drugs I'd be chained to this PC for the next six months!

As you quite rightly point out, there is no pharmacologically pure heroin on the street, and you can O/D on clean heroin. In the ideal world no one would abuse alcohol, and no one would become drug dependant. But sadly that is not the reality we face in Britain today.

I'm more interested in a harm reduction approach. The straightforward prohibitionist approach seems, to me at any rate, to have caused more problems than it has solved.

I can see your points, but given the inherent harm illegal drugs cause (and I'm not denying that alcohol has its own problems) I cannot support their legalisation.

Zak64 · 14-08-2007, 03:54 PM

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!

Britannist · 21-08-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjt

[url]
Thank heavens Winchester will have a new MP after the next election.

Let's hope it's not someone from the europhile Liberal Dims

.

I hope that lot never win the Winchester constituency ever again.

14-08-2007, 03:32 PM	#61 (permalink)
Zak64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Little Poland On Sea (Bournemouth) Posts: 693	Good point(s). If I had to compare and contrast the various pathologies and toxicities relating to all legal/illegal drugs I'd be chained to this PC for the next six months! As you quite rightly point out, there is no pharmacologically pure heroin on the street, and you can O/D on clean heroin. In the ideal world no one would abuse alcohol, and no one would become drug dependant. But sadly that is not the reality we face in Britain today. I'm more interested in a harm reduction approach. The straightforward prohibitionist approach seems, to me at any rate, to have caused more problems than it has solved. __________________ If anyone complains about unlimited mass immigration we call them a racist - it's our culture!

14-08-2007, 03:54 PM	#63 (permalink)
Zak64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Little Poland On Sea (Bournemouth) Posts: 693	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! __________________ If anyone complains about unlimited mass immigration we call them a racist - it's our culture!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode