Seniors, why isn't the war on drugs working ?

Question

Seems like a waste of time and money. I was watching a travel show the other night and showed Europe and how things are handled there. Seems like no where near the violence we have. Not saying drugs are good, but this isn't working. What is your take?

Answer 1

Newsflash: The War On Drugs has NEVER worked. Not at ALL. Not in the SLIGHTEST. And it NEVER, ever, ever will. And the reason is very, very, very simple.



Good laws are always based on the practical idea that people must be restrained from injuring or taking advantage of each other. Such laws are always written by reasonable people, and they ALWAYS make the world a better place.



Bad laws are always based on the nutty idea that certain behaviors are "moral" and other behaviors are "sinful." Such laws are always written by religious idiots, and they ALWAYS cause wars, suffering, hatred, corruption, bloodshed, terror, waste, and chaos.



So, you see, you might just as well ask why it would not work to have a War On Stamp Collectors, or a War On Chocolate Lovers, or a War On People Who Sing In The Shower, or a War On People Who Like To Have Sex While Wearing Naughty Lingerie.



But actually, the War On Drugs DOES work very well for a certain privileged class, consisting of Cops, Lawyers, Judges, Prison Guards, and Drug Dealers. All of those people do VERY WELL because of the War On Drugs. And none of THEM would change it for the world.



EDIT: Can't resist calling attention to Marilyn's report that in Hungary the authorities put bars on the windows of the lowest floors of the jails. (Wait for it.) To stop jumpers. (Ba-da-BOOM.) In Hungary This is what Hungarians do. (Ba-da-BOOM.). Notice this is not a Polish joke It's about Hungarians. (Ba-da-BOOM.)

Answer 2

We could also ask why do people feel the need to escape from reality by taking drugs.

What is wrong with society that makes so many people want to change the reality they live in.

Same thing as alcohol.

I know they have illegal drugs here in Hungary but we personally don't know much about what is going on here except that if you are caught with even a tiny bit of pot they lock you up for a long time, very strict here.

I did see a young many a few years ago walking down the street sniffing into a brown paper bag, paint or glue probably.

There is a huge alcohol problem here, I live right across the st. from the drunk ward in the hospital they have bars on the windows of the lower floor to stop the jumpers.



As long as people are in emotional pain there are always going to be the need for escape.

Answer 3

Richard Nixon declared his War on Drugs in 1971. Those of you wanting drugs to be legal have obviously never dropped acid or took a trip on LSD. While marijuana use may be down, crack and meth use are most definitely UP! You want your stats? Turn on the NEWS or just take a walk around your neighborhood and get to know people, you'll get your stats. Under the Reagan Administration, it was Nancy Reagan who started the "Just Say No" program because she got involved with trying to help people who were dying with AIDS. When she found out that AIDS could be spread by sharing needles, she launched a campaign to "Just Say No." Making drugs legal is NOT the answer! But having people to pay restitution instead of sticking them in prison may help make room for hard criminals, as well as punish the druggies. Stay off Drugs! Make wise choices and maybe this country will improve as a whole!

Answer 4

Just because something is prohibited does not mean it disappears. We have already been down this road before with alcohol. (The States) Trying to ban something that hundreds of thousands ,(if not millions), of people want is never going to work. I would be willing to wager that if the united states had as harsh of penalties for pot possession as Hungary there would be a mass exodus. I think the matter of drug abuse should be taken completely out of the hands of law enforcement and placed with the medical community. I do realize that the medical community doesn't have a stellar record when it comes to pharmaceutical drugs but the current program has been a dismal failure and it has corrupted our cops and our courts, has separated children from loving caring parents and provided a means for a thriving prosperity for ruthless and violent criminals.

The war on drugs is a war on people.

Answer 5

Personally, I don't KNOW what the War on Drugs consists of. I don't know exactly what it entails.

I know there is a very high incidence of people getting addicted to pain killers from legitimate prescriptions.

One of my clients is one of them people. And I've known several others through my lifetime.

I wouldn't necessarily say something ISN'T working simply b/c there is still some of it around.

Like murder. If you legalize murder, don't tell me there will be LESS of it going on. Just look at the problems occurring from the 'Stand Your Ground' law. Most people don't fully understand the law, so there has been a lot of people hiding behind the law & others protesting it--all b/c they don't understand the law in its fullest.

I don't think you mean going from one extreme to another, but a lot of people who don't like a law or policy do this. It's not working, so let's do the exact opposite now.

And addiction, like any other disease, is very complex. A blanket policy will not totally stop the disease. And it definitely doesn't help the people who suffer from it.

Answer 6

The main problem is in the lack of enforcing current laws in the United States. Funny how everyone knows who is dealing, everyone. But law enforcement can seem to find them. Start the clean up from the top officials and then work down to the lowest level.

Answer 7

Its expanding that's what its doing...



Back in the 70s, 40 years ago, you have people in their teens and 20's doing drugs, now 40 years later those people are in their 50s and 60s, and the drug problem today goes from those who are 15 to 70, you have 3 generations involved, and allot of people are making allot of money. We have a government that wants to govern how much sugar is in a glass of soda, but they tuen a blind eye when people are being killed in the streets.



How many people are "involved" that they cover up for?



See my point!

Answer 8

It will never work.To many politicians and 'high profile' people are making to much money from it,ever notice how the people caught and punished are those on the street level,makes it look like something is being done, very rarely that one of the big boys is caught.

Answer 9

Good question. I don't know. But your'e right, it's not working. Probably too much money involved. Too much potential for making money.

I don't see it as a victimless crime. it's a horrible thing. Addicts lives go into the toilet. I don't know what to do about it.

Answer 10

You are right. It isn't working.



I don't know what the solution is. Addiction is a terrible thing be it tobacco, alcohol, food or so-called hard drugs.

Answer 11

The powers that be don't want the war on drugs to be successful, and they don't want to make them legal. They are happy with all the hype and turmoil, it means money for them.

Answer 12

Too many influential people are benefitting from the tidal wave of $$$ that accompanies the illegal drug business. Sad to say, it seems there is almost no one that money can't buy -- and those who can't be bought can often be assasinated. Sad, indeed.

Answer 13

Ban something that people like doing, and you drive it underground. Its like the Prohibition era -- ban something which most people see as being a victimless crime and it will continue to thrive.

Answer 14

It's working very well for those who are making a hefty profit.

Answer 15

more to the point why isn't the war in Afghanistan working.?