Public Execution, no longer possible in the U.S?

[LnGrrrR]

Other benefits of reducing the war on drugs:

Less money spent maintaining prisons and prisoners
Reducing "no-knock" raids
Reducing the money terrorists receive from drugs to further their ends
More liberty

[DarkReign]

All of you say "Legalize Drugs" have obviously never seen the ACTUAL affect of Crack on a life.

I have.

My brother in law is currently in a Prison in Lubbock (moved from Huntsville last week) - not for possession of Crack; but for the myriad things he has done to get the money to pay for it; primarly hot checks - and a single assault.

Been strung out for 16 years; NOTHING stops him; been in jail, multiple rehabs, , he's 37 now; an insulin dependent diabetic on DIALYSIS - and he STILL tries to use when he's not in jail. Hasn't held a productive job his entire adult life; been hospitalized twice when he stiffed a dealer; and many times when his using caused him to not take his insulin and slip into a dibetic COMA.

That should NEVER be legalized. It is the Devil.

Youre right, but his time in prison is a result of the property crimes he committed, not the crack.

I know crack users who are not all out ing crackheads, carpet-cruising all afternoon looking for a little slice of bo-bo they may have dropped on the floor.

Or walking through their house only to find every handle on every door off and deconstructed never to be put back together.

I know crack, but I rarely have ever known a crackhead. Is it a horrible drug?

Yes, of course. Should it be legal? Of course not. Should it be decriminalized? Absolutely.

Because crack is a drug...a horrible drug, yes, but a drug. Some people can handle it, most (70%+) cannot. When they commit crimes for purposes of money, thats what theyll go to prison for, not possession or some lame 3 Strikes Law.

There will be addicts, but it will not get worse than it is already, IMO. I remember being a kid, and this is no bull , it was easier to get cocaine than it was to get alcohol. How ed up is that?

[101A]

Many people have been ruined by alcohol. Does this mean we should make that illegal? What about other addictive substances?

The fact is, people will get drugs one way or another. Decriminalizing them might make it easier for some people to get drugs; yes. But it would also make it easier to get help, as it would remove some of the taboo of drug usage. As well, the government could ensure that drugs weren't mixed with other harmful chemicals.

Additionally, getting rid of the black market would also lower prices, which would help prevent financial distress to junkies.

I have no problem, and would support the legalization of Marijuana; it is hypocritical for it to be illegal while Alcohol and Tobacco are not; Crack is WAY different.

There is no amount that a person will use, or spend on it (rocks are only $5.00 as it is - it won't get much cheaper) - users simply use ALL of their money until they are out; you can't overdose on it - and you are never satisfied; and you are completely, utterly addicted.

Believe me, I was like you; very rational; made lots of sense; just legalize it; regulate and tax it; everyone wins, right? Not if people get addicted with ONE ing hit! Instantly create an addict when they "experiment" - TOO risky if some 13 year old could pick it up at the corner store- was gonna buy some Hubba-Bubba, but decided to buy Crack instead - oh well, WAS a promising life.....

Again, if you haven't seen it up close and personal, you can't comprehend (I watched my brother in law stick his hand in a RUNNING sink disposal to try to retrieve a rock my mother in law discarded!)

[101A]

Youre right, but his time in prison is a result of the property crimes he committed, not the crack.

I know crack users who are not all out ing crackheads, carpet-cruising all afternoon looking for a little slice of bo-bo they may have dropped on the floor.

Or walking through their house only to find every handle on every door off and deconstructed never to be put back together.

I know crack, but I rarely have ever known a crackhead. Is it a horrible drug?

Yes, of course. Should it be legal? Of course not. Should it be decriminalized? Absolutely.

Because crack is a drug...a horrible drug, yes, but a drug. Some people can handle it, most (70%+) cannot. When they commit crimes for purposes of money, thats what theyll go to prison for, not possession or some lame 3 Strikes Law.

There will be addicts, but it will not get worse than it is already, IMO. I remember being a kid, and this is no bull , it was easier to get cocaine than it was to get alcohol. How ed up is that?

Fair enough.

And, again, for the record, that is my brother in law's story; NEVER been arrested for possession - only for his crimes.

[LnGrrrR]

I have no problem, and would support the legalization of Marijuana; it is hypocritical for it to be illegal while Alcohol and Tobacco are not; Crack is WAY different.

There is no amount that a person will use, or spend on it (rocks are only $5.00 as it is - it won't get much cheaper) - users simply use ALL of their money until they are out; you can't overdose on it - and you are never satisfied; and you are completely, utterly addicted.

Believe me, I was like you; very rational; made lots of sense; just legalize it; regulate and tax it; everyone wins, right? Not if people get addicted with ONE ing hit! Instantly create an addict when they "experiment" - TOO risky if some 13 year old could pick it up at the corner store- was gonna buy some Hubba-Bubba, but decided to buy Crack instead - oh well, WAS a promising life.....

Again, if you haven't seen it up close and personal, you can't comprehend (I watched my brother in law stick his hand in a RUNNING sink disposal to try to retrieve a rock my mother in law discarded!)

Fair enough. Like you said, I don't have experience with it, so maybe it should be banned. I'm more than willing to start with marijuana, and see how that works before possibly decriminalizing harder stuff.

[Wild Cobra]

Many people have been ruined by alcohol. Does this mean we should make that illegal? What about other addictive substances?

The fact is, people will get drugs one way or another. Decriminalizing them might make it easier for some people to get drugs; yes. But it would also make it easier to get help, as it would remove some of the taboo of drug usage. As well, the government could ensure that drugs weren't mixed with other harmful chemicals.

Additionally, getting rid of the black market would also lower prices, which would help prevent financial distress to junkies.

There are a few drugs out there that are no worse than alcohol. Legalize them. It would be foolish to legalize most others. I would make an exception for someone who can support himself if rich. Problem with these harder drugs, is they cost the public in one way or another. No social handouts for illegal drug users!

[Wild Cobra]

Other benefits of reducing the war on drugs:

Less money spent maintaining prisons and prisoners
Reducing "no-knock" raids
Reducing the money terrorists receive from drugs to further their ends
More liberty

As long as it doesn't promote more social spending. Otherwise, No!