SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: alanrs who wrote (487739)5/19/2012 9:19:20 AM
From: skinowski3 Recommendations  Read Replies (2) of 793917
 
Recently I saw a documentary about drug use in Portugal. Basically, the use of drugs in that country was decriminalized, and the "punishment" if caught is that the user must accept some sort of counseling. Their argument is that yes, this costs money - but maintaining a large police force and keeping many thousands of people in prison - is not cheap either. They found that the use of drugs did not go up significantly since decriminalization.

One difficulty with legalization is that these days all of us are our brother's keepers. We do not know how to allow people to take responsibility for their actions. We spend untold billions on treating smokers and alcoholics. Legalizing drugs would add to those costs. But then, again - our current policies are plenty expensive. Probably, more so.

Another concern is technology. What are we to do if people invent chemicals which would be new, and more attractive - and addictive - than anything we've ever seen? That, potentially, could be a deal breaker. Or another example - what if it becomes possible to insert an electrode into a person's brain, with extremely pleasant - and addictive - results? And what if this can be done for a couple of hundred bucks, and people would refuse to give them up until death? What if it would only take a couple of electrodes under the hat, and a 9 volt battery?

Many things to worry about.... but for now I think it's worth to take a very close look at the Portuguese experiment. That might be the way to go.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News