Re: Why did Opioid Abuse Grow so much under Obama?
Posted by:
not a user-taxpayer
()
Date: October 27, 2017 12:45PM
Criminalizing drug use is an interesting thing in a "free" society.
Afterall, how can you legislate what one man can, or can't, put in his body?
Really, in a free society, you can't.
Furthermore, in a free market society, one shouldn't. If somebody wants to use drugs, and drop to the bottom rung as a result, the free market is all about that. Make choices, and your strata in society changes-for the good, or bad.
Finally, in a free market society, there is always going to be a bottom rung. There has to be. Not everybody can be rich, because, then, nobody is rich. And so whether it is drugs, or something else, that puts people to a bottom rung, there will still be a bottom layer.
Take away drugs, and people will still figure out ways to waste their lives.
The issue with legislating what people can or can't put in their bodies was recognized as contrary to a free society back in the early 1900's, when drug legislation was first considered. Instead of directly legislating against drug use, different means were used...tax codes, for example.
Much like when Al Capone was ultimately "busted", it wasn't really for the myriad of crimes, but, tax violations.
Fast forward to the early 70's, when Nixon undertook a "war on drugs". It has been said the real reason for this was NOT to stop drugs, but, it was a way for him to attack his 2 biggest enemies...hippies, and the black community. So, this was politically motivated, and not for the good of man.
Now, the war on drugs.
It is a billion dollar industry. There are so many enterprises that rely upon it for income...the jails system...the DEA...private drug war contractors.
And, ironically, the message not to use drugs-"don't use drugs, because you'll mess your life up".
But, if they catch you using drugs...they will REALLY mess your life up.
So, are they really concerned with people messing their lives up, or, are they more concerned with keeping their machine rolling?
It has been said that the overall cost in terms of lives lost and money spent would be less than prosecuting the "war on drugs".
Perhaps now is the time to consider an alternative path, as clearly, after 40 plus years of the war on drugs, it ain't working. It is costing more and more money-not only the cost of fighting the war, but the costs of incarceration...
keeping men in jail is expensive, and for all the years they are in jail, they are not paying taxes...plus, with a record, after they get out, they are still a tax burden.
And the number of lives lost per year continues to climb.
Just not working.
Discuss.