Should drugs be decriminalised?

I withdraw my abuse.

Nah it's OK - leave it where it is - taking it out might cause further trauma :)

Ha! Genius (the day today?)

Brass eye, same difference

I bloody hate people who take drugs.

Customs Officers would be one example.

Next they're going to prohibit meditation and dancing ...

Dancing in groups more that 3 is illegal in NYC without a licence.

Also illegal here in some places... I used to do a club night where the manager would actually tell people to stop dancing... Hilarious...

If it fell into the states hands it would be priced above most people’s wallets. Imagine £40 a pill. Since it would not be left to the open market either the gov't would be controlling the strength of any drug.

The only way it would ever work would be if they actually reduced the prices, and undercut the dealers. Tobacco is legal, yet people still sell it illegally, at lower prices.

That shouldn't be a problem though, as the government will be able to buy in bulk, tax the fuck out of it, and still come in at a lower price than dealers.

Everyone wins.

Jimmy Carter enlightened ideas on drugs
governments called on to experiment with (models of legal regulation of) drugs

More drugs sense from David Nutt
Harm reduction better than prosecution
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/28/clubbers-test-ecstasy-nightclub-deaths?newsfeed=true

Went to talk of his last year. Very refreshing.

The drugs laws are an indictment of the mismatch between evidence and policy in the UK

Bit like road safety in the uk

They've been testing the quality or otherwise of pills for so long in Holland that it's a continuing mockery we don't follow the same sensible route, but hardly surprising.

It's not infallible by any means though, as a supposed 'clean/pure' pill can still kill a user due to a variety of reasons, whereas a 'mongy' pill thought to be dangerous can do not very much at all. That's all part of the appeal though.

Many deaths are directly attributed to a combination of criminality, so fear of prosecution and the lack of any quality control at point of sale leading to dodgy drugs. Only the complete decriminalisation and licensing of all drugs would reduce harm if applied with a programme of education.

Well, I'm afraid quality control isn't the be all and end all (can't help seeing 'bellend' amongst all those words). Top notch drugs are very dangerous indeed, but only because what is slung on the streets is vastly inferior. Plenty of people have met their end when an unusually strong batch of whatever it is has come on the market and they've matched their regular dose, only for it to prove too much.

Which is where education comes in. They should all be legalised, and of a standardised quality; high enough to discourage counterfeits, low enough to risk sudden OD. But all drugs are a waste of time eventually, which I have found out the hard way.

I reckon drugs should be decimalised. Less of this 1/8th nonsense.

This is how I first read the OP title.

Also illegal here in some places... I used to do a club night where the manager would actually tell people to stop dancing... Hilarious...

I worked in Hoxton Sq. almost 4yrs in a bar, where at some point we had this 'law'... I remember having to tell that to people too..

Many deaths are directly attributed to a combination of criminality, ...etc...

Well, I'm afraid quality control isn't the be all and end all ...etc.....

Both very good points. If people were given 'quality' drugs and information on how to use them, I suspect there would be many less deaths. Unfortunately you can't always cater for bad luck or idiots.

i hadn't seen this thread before, and I thought lookatthisguy's post was really interesting:

Allowing the free market anywhere near drugs would be a bad idea. Look at prescription drugs in America, people are addicted to all sorts of drugs they don't need or have fun on.

I've heard this kind of argument before. To me it always displays a massive misunderstanding of human nature.

People like drugs. Different people like different drugs. Limiting peoples access to drugs makes no difference to whether or not they use.

There is a really simple reason why Americans are so fond of prescription drugs - they're easier to get and carry less risk than street drugs. In the UK (I'm guessing) getting prescription drugs is a bit of a ball ache, where as street drugs are a doddle - so why bother. But it does go to show that there is scope for modifying peoples use.

Just in case anyone is unconvinced about the lengths people go to to get fucked up when the usual drugs aren't available, Google the Russian drug "crocodile" or "krokodil". Then ask yourself honestly whether State controlled distribution of heron would be better or worse.

Just in case anyone is unconvinced about the lengths people go to to get fucked up when the usual drugs aren't available, Google the Russian drug "crocodile" or "krokodil". Then ask yourself honestly whether State controlled distribution of heron would be better or worse.

....what has been seen cannot be unseen. terrifying.

"krokodil" (crocodile), reportedly due to the scale-like appearance of skin of its users,
(Wikipedia)
Where can I get some?

Ha... you know I was actually going to paste that 'let me google that for you' link with how do I make...etc... in the title.

But honestly, I don't think it's something i'd ever want to facilitate access to.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/our-voices/battle-of-ideas/the-laws-cyber-drug-war-is-it-time-to-hold-peace-talks-with-internet-suppliers-of-legal-highs-8274077.html

This makes sense. Not banning but educating. Why just research chems though. All drugs?

Mr Nutt knows the score, he's yet another person the cunting politicians ignored.
worth listening to his r4 interview on iplayer didn't actually catch Keith Allens E stunt on the box though.

@skydancer Knowdrugs is an interesting project, if you happen to be unaware of its existence ...

Didn't know knowdrugs. Looks a great harm reduction site. (I do know Erowid)
Cheers skully

IDK if it's been covered already but all drugs have been decriminalised in Portugal and it's OK over there from what I saw but in the UK people have a different attitude to drugs and alcohol.
I think at least Cannabis should be legal though because with detrimental effects of Alcohol and Tobacco I can't really see why (morally) they should be legal and cannabis not.
Meh just my worthless opinion though.

Also illegal here in some places... I used to do a club night where the manager would actually tell people to stop dancing... Hilarious...

Trufax, bar where I worked in Hoxton had some problems with the council at some point, and the "dancing" license was revoked, for a period of time.
It was fucken' hilarious every time people would start dancing (errr.....since we had...DJ's, me being one of them...), we had to ask them to stop.
Oh you Brits :).