Should drugs be decriminalised?

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.