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Tessa Jowell speaks the truth - sort of.

Tessa Jowell MP Labour & Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport

..." we can prohibit, regulate or leave it to the market. Prohibition does not work - it drives the activity underground..."

"Only ideological extremists favour a free-for-all where only the laws of the market hold sway. So the third option is regulation - and regulation with as much emphasis on the quality of the debate as the policy outcome. 'Better regulation' has to mean government engaging people in the decisions that affect their lives and doing so in new and better ways".

But this only applies to gambling - not drugs.
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Comments

  • JadedJaded Posts: 2,682 Boards Guru
    bloody typical though isn't it. Drug regualtion is such an emotive issue.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It seems absurd, though, when plenty of things are just as damaging as drugs. Alcohol, self-harm, even tobacco can all destroy lives, relationships and families but people whose lives are ruined by such things are helped by society. Drug users are still seen as the scum of the Earth even though most reasonable people surely know that's a crock of shit? Yes, some dealers are crooked, manipulative, even gangsters if I may be permitted to use the word, but so are some bookies, some bartenders...

    Can anyone tell me why it's drugs that get us so hot under the collar?
  • JadedJaded Posts: 2,682 Boards Guru
    Hate to be pedantic but alcohol and tobacco are drugs. This is part of the problem...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    piccolo wrote:
    Yes, some dealers are crooked, manipulative, even gangsters if I may be permitted to use the word, but so are some bookies, some bartenders...

    Can anyone tell me why it's drugs that get us so hot under the collar?

    Of course dealers are crooked, they are illegal and have no reason to be nice or legit.

    There's a whole hoast of reasons, a large reason for banning certain drugs has been race related, now its a good way for people in politics to sound tough.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    To stir up some conversation...
    In the 1920's, Alcohol became illegal in the USA. Previously unregulated, alcohol caused problems with labor, family and lifestyles. Common drugs (being Opium and derivitives, Marijuana, and Cocaine) became illegal during this time too. Opium and Cocaine were causing similair problems as alcohol was. Marijuana I'm not to sure about. I think they used the psychoactive effects to outlaw it but it was really because the hemp industry was too strong. Of course, people fought for the re-legalization of alcohol, and won.
    Unregulated use of drugs: Didn't work, became illegal.
    Illegalization of drugs: Didn't work, caused revolts.
    Today, we see alcohol and prescription drugs as "controlled substances". You must be 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol and must have sufficient medical needs to obtain a prescription. But look how many people use and abuse these substances: underage kids, druggies and even older people. Deaths occur from alcohol poisoning, drunk drivers and overdoses.
    Regulation of drugs: Doesn't work.

    It seems hard to find something that works. I'm all for legalization, but I don't find it plausible. I do not think our world is ready for the responcibility and privilege to use drugs freely.
    The problem with regulation is actually creating a system that would work!
    So governments seem to just throw the "illegal" tag on drugs and leave it at that.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Today, we see alcohol and prescription drugs as "controlled substances". You must be 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol and must have sufficient medical needs to obtain a prescription. But look how many people use and abuse these substances: underage kids, druggies and even older people. Deaths occur from alcohol poisoning, drunk drivers and overdoses.
    Regulation of drugs: Doesn't work.

    It doesnt work because its not regulated properly, especially prescription drugs in the US, in the UK it is an issue but no where near as bad as there.

    But that isnt really the point, regulation wouldnt be a cure all, no one is saying it would be but surely it has to be better than what we have, otherwise why arent we banning alcohol?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I do not think our world is ready for the responcibility and privilege to use drugs freely.

    Its not, and thats what we have now with the illegal drug markets, next to no real control by State and a total free for all market.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    bongbudda wrote:
    It doesnt work because its not regulated properly, especially prescription drugs in the US, in the UK it is an issue but no where near as bad as there.
    But that isnt really the point, regulation wouldnt be a cure all, no one is saying it would be but surely it has to be better than what we have, otherwise why arent we banning alcohol?
    Right, but the problem with regulation is creating a system that works. It's like socialism, in theory it's great, but when put into action, human nature will mess it up.
    If we were in a totalitarian governmental system, I'm sure alcohol would be banned along with any mind altering substances. It was banned though, and it came back because the entire USA was against it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Right, but the problem with regulation is creating a system that works. It's like socialism, in theory it's great, but when put into action, human nature will mess it up.
    If we were in a totalitarian governmental system, I'm sure alcohol would be banned along with any mind altering substances. It was banned though, and it came back because the entire USA was against it.

    Alcohol is sold in government owned off licences in Canada (at least parts of) and large parts of Scandinavia why not use that model?

    Pharmacies in both the US and UK are owned by companies but regulated by the State, they check the ID of the person and control the drugs, why not use at least parts of this model?

    We legally supply controlled drugs in one form or another all the time, why not do it for currently illegal ones?
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