Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs (2016)

Finally. I hope this will signal a turning point on this insane approach to national health in all countries. Drugs are a health problem, not a criminal problem.

Lone experts have been fired in western countries when they have expressed this common sense sentiments alone [0]. I hope this groups fares better.

Nixon started the war on drugs anyway as a mean to attack left and black activists [1]. Any previous legislation for control has been instigated on behalf of race and class warfare.The fact that some drugs have been the staple narcotic in some groups has been used as a control mechanism upon those groups by criminalizing the substance.

Substance distribution should be controlled by law. But that is status quo anyway - governments control the distribution of any number of dangerous substances at any point.

[0] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/oct/30/drugs-advis...

[1] https://qz.com/645990/nixon-advisor-we-created-the-war-on-dr...

Re: Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs (2016)

#6

Post by Synaesthesia » Tue, Sep 19, 2017, 4:22 AM UTC

As Chomsky said, the way to deal with drug abuse is through education and treatment. That’s how we successfully reduced smoking, drinking coffee and other unhealthy habits in the USA. Not by throwing people in jail.

Re: Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs (2016)

#7

Post by ars » Tue, Sep 19, 2017, 4:25 AM UTC

And not just recreational drugs. All drugs.

We trust people to manage their own life, this includes medicine. Maybe insurance won't pay for it without a Dr, but if someone wants to self pay, that's their choice.

Re: Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs (2016)

#8

Post by Johnny555 » Tue, Sep 19, 2017, 4:38 AM UTC

ars wrote: post #7

And not just recreational drugs. All drugs. We trust people to manage their own life, this includes medicine. Maybe insurance won't pay for it without a Dr, but if someone wants to self pay, that's their choice.

There are lots of reasons to keep many drugs available as prescription-only.

Misuse of antibiotics affects everyone, not just the person taking them.

Plus, drug interactions are hard even for professionals to manage.

I don't think it's a good idea to let people self-prescribe prescription drugs for themselves and others (like their children).

Re: Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs (2016)

#9

Post by brndnmtthws » Tue, Sep 19, 2017, 4:39 AM UTC

Synaesthesia wrote: post #6

As Chomsky said, the way to deal with drug abuse is through education and treatment. That’s how we successfully reduced smoking, drinking coffee and other unhealthy habits in the USA. Not by throwing people in jail.

Drinking coffee is unhealthy? You sure about that?

> Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. Coffee also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk of depression.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-he...

Re: Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs (2016)

#10

Post by pcurve » Tue, Sep 19, 2017, 4:41 AM UTC

I think this can cause interest shift in relevant job sectors.