Large drug trafficking group busted in Calgary

[polak]

I see three levels of criteria for deciding if a drug should be legal or not.

1- Anything that isn't physically addictive.

2- Anything that doesn't cause the majority of people to be overly aggressive (I'm not talking angry drunk, I'm talking like PCP).

3- Anything that doesn't cause you to completely lose your s***. Don't want a bunch of people tripping balls on acid walking around Princess Island Park. This might mean you just make it illegal to be on it in public though which is already the case with booze, however dealing with someone who is on hallucinogenics and is causing a scene seems sketchier to me then dealing with a drunk who still has some grasp of reality and consequences.

Going off my very low level of education on the matter I believe in terms of mainstream drugs, that leaves Weed and MDMA. Both of which are already quite accepted and have widespread use by youth and adults regardless and are generally safe (especially if they were regulated and clean).

Originally Posted by Daradon

That's my point. You can't solve any problems with irresponsible drug use. It's a part of life. You can only treat it. Making it illegal obviously does nothing to stem it. So why not treat the problems that will inevitably occur instead of 'fighting' it or 'solving' it.

Its not a case of solving anything. Do you solve death?

As for the evolution comment I simply meant its a part of nature and will always exist. All drugs do is rewire or shortcut our chemistry to pleasure or reward centers. Just like natural highs, like sex, people will seek it out, control it, and in some cases become addicted to it.

All sorts of animals get high when they can. Its natural. You could remake humans tomorrow and there'd be new ways and new compounds to fool our brains again to get high. Its part of nature.

I get all those points and Flameswin as well.

Do you think legalizing it will cause drug use to increase or decrease?

How could we, as a society, not only allow the use of cocaine, meth, etc, but tax it and make money off it, then turn around and "treat" those problems?? I know you'll bring up alcohol and cigs and that's fair. Can you imagine, considering how many people drink irresponsibly, what would happen if we allowed those same people to stroll into a 7-11 and buy some doritos and meth?

And how does one treat those associated problems? How do you treat mental illness? Vagrancy? Criminal activity due to drug use? So you shift focus from enforcement on drug trafficking and focus on those activities caused by drug use (rob Peter to pay Paul)?

Obviously a complex issue and I am not sure I have a solution. However, I'm totally okay with making drug dealers lives difficult in my community.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Bent Wookie

I get all those points and Flameswin as well.

Do you think legalizing it will cause drug use to increase or decrease?

How could we, as a society, not only allow the use of cocaine, meth, etc, but tax it and make money off it, then turn around and "treat" those problems?? I know you'll bring up alcohol and cigs and that's fair. Can you imagine, considering how many people drink irresponsibly, what would happen if we allowed those same people to stroll into a 7-11 and buy some doritos and meth?

And how does one treat those associated problems? How do you treat mental illness? Vagrancy? Criminal activity due to drug use? So you shift focus from enforcement on drug trafficking and focus on those activities caused by drug use (rob Peter to pay Paul)?

Obviously a complex issue and I am not sure I have a solution. However, I'm totally okay with making drug dealers lives difficult in my community.

I think everything you're saying is fair, and yeah, it's a tough one on a moral level. But you did say how do we sell something legally and then turn around and treat those problems, but you answered your own question, imo. We're already okay as a society doing just that with cigarettes and alcohol.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by polak

2- Anything that doesn't cause the majority of people to be overly aggressive (I'm not talking angry drunk, I'm talking like PCP).

I've been around a lot of drug people, and nothing even comes close to the vulgarity and aggressiveness of a drunk.

[Nage Waza]

The answer is honestly to make the product cheaper for all illegal drugs, which will result in the illegal trade disappearing. The drugs are out there, we may as well end the criminal aspect.