I know this is seemingly a US centric site. But I feel like I’ve spent my entire life listening to Americans complain about the war on drugs. At least through various TV shows. But I feel like I’m somewhat more lost in my own country and what we should do about drugs in general.
Perhaps because of the aforementioned shows, I am quite disillusioned with the “war on drugs approach.”
I favour practicality. Harm reduction, rehabilitation and treating addiction as a health concern.
I look at programs like our free clean needle exchange and I see net positives instead of just negatives. Reduction of death, reduction of the spread of diseases like HIV etc. So this is not me being some leftie softball hippie or whatever.
I mean our tax dollars are going to be spent either way, so why put unnecessary strain on police to hunt down some poor junkie? That time could be better spent on rehabilitation and job opportunities, freeing up more police resources.
Maybe the “lax laws” have a good point. A good bite out of the criminal element supplying the drugs, safer highs, less stigma, more opportunities for rehabilitation.
The war on drugs seemingly has all the same drawbacks as prohibition.
So bugger it, let people get high and screw up their bodies. We still sell cancer sticks freely and openly. Why not go the next step?
But what do my fellow Aussies say?
And indeed those not from Australiastan, what say you?
Perhaps because of the aforementioned shows, I am quite disillusioned with the “war on drugs approach.”
I favour practicality. Harm reduction, rehabilitation and treating addiction as a health concern.
I look at programs like our free clean needle exchange and I see net positives instead of just negatives. Reduction of death, reduction of the spread of diseases like HIV etc. So this is not me being some leftie softball hippie or whatever.
I mean our tax dollars are going to be spent either way, so why put unnecessary strain on police to hunt down some poor junkie? That time could be better spent on rehabilitation and job opportunities, freeing up more police resources.
Maybe the “lax laws” have a good point. A good bite out of the criminal element supplying the drugs, safer highs, less stigma, more opportunities for rehabilitation.
The war on drugs seemingly has all the same drawbacks as prohibition.
So bugger it, let people get high and screw up their bodies. We still sell cancer sticks freely and openly. Why not go the next step?
But what do my fellow Aussies say?
And indeed those not from Australiastan, what say you?