Nursing The War On Drugs

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 27, 2003

well the track record is not good (think Nancy Reagan's JUST SAY NO campaign)---- and I say we will NOT win the war, just some battles along the way. Not an optimistic viewpoint but realistic, I fear. It reminds me of stomping on hordes of cockroaches to rid one's home of infestation. Too many suppliers and too much demand.

sjoe · Aug 27, 2003

What does "win" mean?

We presently have OVER 1 million people locked up in US jails and prisons for non-violent drug "crimes." (The other 1 million + are there for either violent or non-drug crimes.)

At over $25,000/year each (paid by taxpayers, of course), their families often on welfare and requiring publicly-funded social services (some of which might be the case regardless of whether the person is locked up, I admit, but every dime paid by taxpayers), and their future earnings potential (and thus future taxes paid) being diminished by their records, is this any way to win?

Not IMHO.

It's your money, and mine. How do we want to spend it? Do we want to continue giving it to governments that use it in this way? Has it made the streets safer? Has it improved citizens' health?

bellehill, RN · Aug 27, 2003

I would rather see the government spend half that amount to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Wouldn't that be amazing!

essarge · Aug 27, 2003

I have a theory that offenders should have to work (at a fair wage), and all of the money they make would go for support of their families and their stay. At least this would alleviate some of the taxpayer burdens.

Do I think that we will ever win the war on drugs? Not as long as people can make more money selling these drugs on a street corner than working at a "normal" job! For every dealer busted another sets up shop.

Perhaps they should show films to kids of a real trauma overdose, where they are intubated, and then end up "an empty shell". With all the blood, guts, and gore. Don't make it PG but really rock their world!! Maybe that would deter some of them at least.

roxannekkb · Aug 27, 2003

Originally posted by sjoe
What does "win" mean?

We presently have OVER 1 million people locked up in US jails and prisons for non-violent drug "crimes." (The other 1 million + are there for either violent or non-drug crimes.)

At over $25,000/year each (paid by taxpayers, of course), their families often on welfare and requiring publicly-funded social services (some of which might be the case regardless of whether the person is locked up, I admit, but every dime paid by taxpayers), and their future earnings potential (and thus future taxes paid) being diminished by their records, is this any way to win?

Not IMHO.

It's your money, and mine. How do we want to spend it? Do we want to continue giving it to governments that use it in this way? Has it made the streets safer? Has it improved citizens' health?

We have more people in prison than any other country on earth, except for Russia. Drug offenders often get stiffer sentences than someone who has committed a violent crime. A person caught with cocaine may get 30 years, while a person caught using slave labor (yes, quite true) on their farm and who was involved in human trafficking recently got 10 years. Who is the greater threat to society?

We tried the same experiment during the 1920s, by outlawing alcohol. The result was a dramatic rise in organized crime and violence, no decrease in alcohol consumption, and thousands died from "bathtub" gin.

There's got to be a better way to deal with this. Canada and the UK are already easing up laws governing marijuana use. Our current war has been a losing proposition.

Louie18 · Aug 27, 2003

I worked corrections for 21/2 years. Had a patient named Ralph who was being transferred. His cell was searched and he was strip searched then given a change of clothes and was sitting outside his cell. Next to him on the floor was a cigar box, containing all the works he needed for heroin injection, a spoon to cook in, cotton, a pack of zig zag papers. NOW first off where did he hide the cigar box? There are as many users incarcerated as on the streets.

When I asked about winning, why would the government give up so profitable a business. (you are certainly aware of there involvment)

Do you think there persons awake one morning and say "I think I'll be a junkie?"

85% begin there journey in the hospital on prescription pain meds. Today ONE oxy costs $60.00 on the streets. A dilly- $30.00 but the real monster METHADONE is free.

If you ever want to see the finest piece of work if looked at in its art form you must witness a "score." It is taken to split second timing.

As far as prison costs it is pennies compared to the Methadone program.