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For Immediate Release
Legalizing Illegal Drugs? Increasing instead
of decreasing the problem I recently received several comments in my open forum at URL http://pub40.bravenet.com/forum/3387999930 concerning comments I had made about penalties for drug related crimes. This morning I received this posting: "All drugs should be legalized, regulated, quality-controlled and taxed, in conjunction with education/discouragement programs. Until that happens, the prohibition industry juggernaut will roll on, regardless of anyone's best efforts to deflect it. My 2 cents." The following is my reply to that post: Maynar, I do not believe that is a solution either. To legalize chemical narcotics would increase, not decrease the problems that are already causing a stress on society. Making narcotics more readily available will mean an increase in spending for programs that taxpayers are already burdened with. Increased tax revenue from the NOW legal substances would not be enough to offset increased police forces and regulatory programs. Robberies and muggings, would increase as more junkies worked to get that fix. Healthcare costs would increase as abuse would become more widespread. Bootleg operations along the US borders would increase as the smugglers brought in the narcotics in an attempt to avoid taxation and make a quick buck. Plus with narcotics legal a person would be able to go across the border into Mexico and bring back a set amount on a daily basis which is not subject to customs dues. Soon attendance at Narcotics Anonymous meetings increases and more families lose loved ones from widespread abuse and the diseases caused by same. Junkies soon frivolously sue the drug companies claiming that they did not know that drug abuse causes addiction, disease and death. The courts find in favor of the Junkies and instruct the Drug companies to put warnings on the drugs, run TV commercials about abuse and pay huge settlements to the States and the junkies who filed the suit. Then there are Senate committee hearings on the problem and increased laws, regulations and restrictions. Before long municipalities get into the act from pressure placed on them from Political Action Committees. Bars, restaurants and whole communities become "Drug Free Zones" and we come full circle back to illegal narcotics again as they become harder for the Junkie to obtain. Sound familiar? It should, it is what is currently happening right now with the tobacco and alcohol industries. So what is the solution? Well for one thing we can start thinking outside the box and stop coddling those who promote, distribute and commit violent crimes from and for drug abuse. Courts currently hand down light sentences for these types of crimes. Penalties must be stiffened. For the abuser there needs to be better and more aggressive and progressive treatment programs. Better educational programs for children and stronger enforcement. Going back to the subject of children for a moment, if there were more activity programs for children in both urban and rural areas eventual abuse of any substance, drugs, alcohol, etc. could be greatly curtailed. Children belong to the community because they are the future of the community. Each person needs to become involved in each Childs welfare. If there is already support for our children and guided activities then the strangle holds of the gangs, pushers and exploiters is broken. Children pass on what they learn. There has been much discussion about overcrowding of the prison facilities but there is a way to possibly reduce that probability by way of example. First let me State that those who prey on society no longer deserve to be a member of society and should forever be removed from that society. So how can we use their removal as an example to others? Well for one thing separate the drug related criminals into a separate facility away from general population. Make their confinement a visible example to the general public. Rather then hide them from the eyes of society expose them to the eyes of society. Use their incarceration as a visual deterrent. identify the institution for what it is. Instead of ignoring it, exploit it. If you ignore the problem it does not go away. If you recognize it you deal with it and do not want to become part of it. One of the problems that the penal institutions of this Nation have had for awhile is the mixing of prison populations. Separation for all offenses would assist in better rehabilitation for a wide range of offenders. Support groups work. Before someone accuses me of not knowing what I am talking about because I haven't been there let me lay that to rest right now. In my late teens and early twenties my experimentations and recreational usage of drugs led to increased abuse. Due to a loss of a week of my life I was scared straight. I have had friends die in front of me from drug abuse and have had my bank account cleared out by a girlfriend who was supposedly a reformed junkie. My step-father died from a combination of substance abuses and I have had a couple of friends die of similar brain tumors. They were both abusers of marijuana and their usage went far beyond recreational. I've been there, done that and got the t-shirt. I have had 25 years of my life to think about this and what would have prevented my own abuse and what might help others. That is 25 years that I may not have had if I had not got smart. Legalizing chemical narcotics is not the way to help people get smart. Education, involvement, recognition and removal of the problem are the first steps to conquering the problem. “The Public Servant works for the people. You do not make promises to your boss that are beyond your power to keep and expect to hold your position.” -James A. George, Democratic Candidate for Kansas House District #12- http://www.pluribusunum.net |
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