Posted by Adam on January 3, 2000, at 17:28:28
In reply to US Wants Web Drug Regulation, posted by Diane on January 1, 2000, at 10:33:12
I think most if not all "drugs" should be legal, but I would hate to see unfettered drug distribution. The reality of supply and demand essentially compels us to take a different approach to the drug "problem" than what we have used in the past. If people want it bad enough, they'll get it, and there will always be someone willing to break the law to make a profit off of this demand. Since such commerce is unstoppable, why bother trying to stop it? Why not attempt to regulate it? You could then tax drug commerce and use the revenues to fund drug education and rehabilitation for those users who become addicts, etc. You know, sort of like alcohol (though I'm not sure if any alcohol tax money goes toward treating alcoholics), which is about as destructive as any other substance out there. It's utter hypocracy anyway that EtOH is legal in the US but, say, cannabis isn't.
Trying to stem the flow of controlled and illicit substances just creates a contraband economy, while making it only marginally more difficult to obtain said substances. Make it legal and regulate it. Provide more (and honest) education about drugs. Make provisions for the import of drugs that are not FDA approved (I guess there already are, so perhaps I should say just don't mess with them). Give doctors more control if they are willing to accept the liability, and put the ultimate control in the hands of the consumer, whilst making sure that the consumer is informed. Enough useless moralism about chemicals.
> US Wants Web Drug Regulation
> http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,33301,00.html?tw=wn19991228
>
> Bitter Pill for Online Drugstores
> http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,33315,00.html
>
> Personally, I'm for legalization of everything. I'm tired of people telling me what I can
> and CAN'T have.
> I wouldn't dream of telling any one what to do or not do with their life...it's theirs not mine!, not to mention it's their ONLY one...and my only one.
>
poster:Adam
thread:17775
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/17925.html