Should we end the drug war in NZ?

[scumdog]

Mexico and Argentian recently legalized possession of very small amounts of ALL drugs. The Argentina supreme court said that to deny a person the right to use substances they chose to use is a violation of their rights, as a human being. Good on them! Maybe this will be the beginning of the end of the US led, never ending war on drugs. Personal freedom is the issue...

Good on them.

And they can pick up the pieces of their own fucked-up lives when it all turns to crap.

Cos buggered if I want to see taxes getting used to 'rehabilitate' some tosser that wanted to excercise their 'human rights' and try the drugs that fucked them up.

[paddy]

I had a friend whose father was dying of cancer (many years ago) and the doctor wouldn't even prescribe morphine for the pain! He might become an addict, he says!!!! Callous prick!

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your fathers friend. Secondly I have some thoughts about the doctors behaviour:

* It's very common practice to give high dose Morphine to cancer patients in palliative care.
* If you are going to die - who cares if you are addicted to Morphine.
* There's plenty of research that demonstrates that, even in very high doses, where the Morphine dose is titrated (matched) to the level of pain there is minimal physiological addiction.

I'd want the Morphine myself. Doesn't sound like a brilliant doctor. There may be more to the story - but I would complain to the Health and Disability Commissioner. It doesn't cost you anything. He will investigate and take any necessary prosecution steps. Sort of like he was your "free" lawyer (except his interest is the truth rather than proving your case at all costs).

[Spyke]

Rubbish.

People will always want to 'explore' and young people revel in doing stuff that is 'dangerous' and illegal.

if a drug that was legal and really good no kid in their right mind would go against the law just for the sense of rebelling when they could have a better drug without the hooks.

It is funny though, we have a drug (alcohol) causing sooooo many problems in society, and its accepted as legal. I don't believe because its legal that it makes it any better, i believe its because of how the drug effects you. We have a legal drug that can make you really irrational, act out your emotions plus alter them and make you do stuff you wouldn't. You can OD on it easily (well if your a binge drinker which is perfectly acceptable in a legal status atm) and yet they say its fine to use when ever you want once your 18! sick just sick. A bad choice of a legal drug maybe?

While on the other hand you have a drug thats calms you and brings out the funny and it's completely illeagal meaning you can get a criminal record for using a less dangerous drug that causes less greif to others and if 42% of nz have used it, comparing it to alchol crime stats (if it effected people the same way as alcohol which it doesn't obviously) would mean that pot related offences should account for around half the amount of offences that alcohol does, but it doesn't. yet its illegal and alcohol is legal.

I've tryed both amazingly I'm not 18, and comparing the two I was a lot more "wild" drinking alcohol than smoking pot, in fact i wasn't wild at all on pot but more aware of my surroundings and took everything with caution plus a very amazing awareness for nature, there was a chainsaw working away causing noise pollution to the lovely sounds of the tui and the bell bird. Hmmmmm I think I'll join a bird watching group and save the kakapo instead of throwing bottles in the gutter and becoming a thug.

pot may effect people differently but so does alcohol so at this time in my life I see this comparison as amazing and funny at the same time. Saying that why don't we all live without drugs and get on the natural highs of life, way betterer.

long live freedom, i'm off for a ride

FTUL (Fuck the useless laws)?

yours truely

spyke

[Hans]

The social consequences of drug abuse are too great for decriminalisation IMO. I think the NZ approach is too slanted towards policing and agree with Mikkel that education/information is the key to balancing the scale.

The social consequences mostly are the result of criminalisation. That's the issue.

[peasea]

Good on them.

And they can pick up the pieces of their own fucked-up lives when it all turns to crap.

Cos buggered if I want to see taxes getting used to 'rehabilitate' some tosser that wanted to excercise their 'human rights' and try the drugs that fucked them up.

Unless your quack administers them right?
Ask MJ about that.

[Hans]

Good on them.

And they can pick up the pieces of their own fucked-up lives when it all turns to crap.

Cos buggered if I want to see taxes getting used to 'rehabilitate' some tosser that wanted to excercise their 'human rights' and try the drugs that fucked them up.

Like that doesn't already happen now.

[onearmedbandit]

Good on them.

And they can pick up the pieces of their own fucked-up lives when it all turns to crap.

Cos buggered if I want to see taxes getting used to 'rehabilitate' some tosser that wanted to excercise their 'human rights' and try the drugs that fucked them up.

I take it you're talking about alcohol. Must be cos most of the violence I read about in the paper seems to be "alcohol-fueled".

[scumdog]

I take it you're talking about alcohol. Must be cos most of the violence I read about in the paper seems to be "alcohol-fueled".

Not QUITE 100% true, quite a few have also consumed 'something else' as well as the booze. (from my experience)

So imagine 'recreational drugs' being allowed out there at the same level of 'control' that is on alcohol.

Some people are fuckwits BEFORE drinking/smoking whatever so it would only enhance the carnage.

Ban alcohol AND drugs and I'd wouldn't give a shit.

[onearmedbandit]

True, the combination of recreational drugs can cause some people to lose it. However I myself in my extensive experience have never come across someone violent solely from smoking weed. Alcohol on the other hand...

[scumdog]

True, the combination of recreational drugs can cause some people to lose it. However I myself in my extensive experience have never come across someone violent solely from smoking weed. Alcohol on the other hand...

I agree, if they only had weed - they don't get stroppy. (hungry and lazy maybe but not violent)

[Jonno.]

A large number of New Zealanders smoke pot. It's a fact.
Here is my arguement

Currently:
Drugs from gangs -> people
Money to gangs <- people

How it could be
Drugs from govt -> people
Tax and money to govt <- people

No one (sane) wants to legalise meth or heroin.

Why are we putting money in the hands of gangs and people who do illicit things for a living (ie growing marijuana)? Obviously there is a lot more to it than that but to me an increase in pot smokers is a lot better for this country then continue to fund gangs/drug dealers. I think you'll also find if you do this you will see a reduction in harder drugs due to people not going to drug dealers.

Alcohol was once prohibited. Does anyone want that to come back?

[P38]

Interestingly enough a recent survey has found that most recent surveys cannot be trusted because they are

Made Up!

[Brian d marge]

there is a government place in england producing high grade hydroponics , something like 65 tons a years

oooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h



Stephen

[gatch]

The "war on druuuuugs" is making everyone money, the people are getting shafted but the cats in charge don't give a fuck, same old story..

If half the money wasted by authorities making drug trade more profitable was spent on education and treatment.........there might not be such a problem!

Spot on my man. You can't make a rational decision when you don't have all the facts, being lied to about why its bad and why its still illegal doesn't do anyone any favors except for those profiting from its continued trade.

there is a government place in england producing high grade hydroponics , something like 65 tons a years

oooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh h



Stephen

65 billion foils.. Puts the local tinny houses to shame aye