Senseless Prohibition of Drugs

Prohibition of recreational drugs, like prohibition of alcohol in the USA earlier this century, has failed to decrease drug use and created many problems of its own. Looking at the drugs which are legal and those which are illegal, these problems can clearly be seen to be caused by the law itself.

LEGAL 'DRUGS'

Tea, coffee, aspirin, codeine, alcohol, tobacco, methodone, Valium etc
Government controlled
Government tax and industrial profit
Assured quality and dose - consumer protected
Information and advice controlled by law.
Civil a & Human Rights upheld
Controlled prices - very little associated crime
Little police time and expense, except with alcohol
Less prisoners, more space
Less glamour / rebellion for young people
Marketed through controlled and approved outlets
Mostly sold from separate outlets
Cannot be purchased using stolen property
Prostitution unconnected with supply
More socially acceptable.
TOXICITY varies for medium (tea) to high ADDICTIVENESS varies from low (aspirin) to high (tobacco)

ILLEGAL'DRUGS'

Cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy, Amphetamines, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin etc
Criminal controlled
Criminal profit and no taxation
Dubious quality & strength - no consumer protection
Information and advice controlled by politics
Civil and Human Rights (eg privacy, choice) abused
High prices - high associated crime rate
Massive police resources enforcing law at huge cost.
Overcrowded prisons
Glamour and rebellion attracts young users
No control whatsoever over market
Illegal dealers may sell several substances and lead customers from one to another.
Some stolen property swapped for drugs
Prostitution to raise funds for some addicts.
Much social alienation particularly youth.
TOXICITY varies from none (cannabis) to high ADDICTIVENESS varies from none (cannabis) to high (heroin)

NB : Heroin and tobacco are both HIGHLY TOXIC AND HIGHLY ADDICTIVE

CANNABIS HAS NEVER BEEN KNOWN TO KILL ANYONE

DEA Judge Young 1988, said cannabis is safer than most vegetables!

The Lancet medical journal, November 1995 said :

"THE SMOKING OF CANNABIS, EVEN LONG TERM, IS NOT HARMFUL TO HEALTH"

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