Drugs
The tide has already turned in this country concerning the legalisation of cannabis. The politicians may huff and puff, but it is only a matter of time now before decriminalisation, which will come as surely as night follows day.
But if public opinion is moving inexorably on this issue, there are still many who question the desirability of legalising “hard” drugs. In this context, Nick Davies’ article in today’s Guardian is welcome. Davies highlights the vicious absurdity of the contemporary “war on drugs” — a thirty-year campaign of ghastly failure which has brought about enormous suffering and directly contributes to the spread of the phenomenon it means to combat.
Three snippets. (1) “The war against drugs is unique in all conflict: we can win it, simply by ceasing to fight it”. (2) “The bottom line now is that after 30 years of prohibition, the number of heroin addicts has rocketed from less than 500 to as many as 500,000.” And finally, (3) “Future historians will look back on our treatment of drug users in the same way as we now look back on the Victorian treatment of those in Bedlam - beaten for their pain.” It’s a good article. Read it.
Alec wrote [17.6.2001]: Moreover, this futile battle has wasted masses of public money for no tangible benefit - money that could otherwise have been spent on treatment.
Nick wrote [18.6.2001]: “The politicians may huff and puff… ” This is nicely phrased, though perhaps unintentional in imputing hypocrisy to politicians (though after the Tory shadow front bench “scupper Widdecombe” revelations, nothing would surprise me less). What would the equivalent be for other banned substances?
Heroin: “The politicians may interject and inject…”
Cocaine: “The politicians may exhort and snort…”
Etc. ad lib.
Bob wrote [21.6.2001]: Good notes on the war on drugs. It *is* a patent absurdity, especially given my own experience. As a kid growing up in Philadelphia, I could easily get marijuana, cocaine, or even crack - yet beer was a challenge. Despite the billions spent annually, it is still easier for me to buy a bag of weed than to get a six pack or beer or a bottle of gin.
What a pointless “war” which is most often waged on our families and friends…like Alec says, it is a terrible waste of resources that could be spent on treatment for those that need it.