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Read this essay by Moby

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
How can we justify locking people up for committing actions that have no demonstrable repercussions to anyone else? If someone's actions compromise the rights or will of another individual, then fine, punish them. But if someone's actions don't affect anyone other than the person committing the actions, then what business is it of the state's? I'm specifically referring to drug use. I don't use drugs, and I think that drugs can be terribly destructive and dangerous, but I don't see how the state can arrest an adult for doing something to their own body. An enlightened state should warn its citizens about dangerous activities, but it shouldn't be allowed to lock people up for doing things to themselves. I do not want any government making decisions regarding what I can put in to or do to my body. An individual's own body is not the jurisdiction of the state. Although we may find suicide, drug use, abortion, self-mutilation, etc, abhorrent, we cannot as an enlightened society make criminals of people that want to do these things to themselves, so long as their actions don't compromise our rights. Because we find something distasteful is not justification enough for us to deem it criminal.
-Moby
Tell me what you think of his opinions on this matter,I thought that this would be a relevent post since its in the drugs topic and Moby's exprssing his views.Personally I agree with him completely,it shouldnt be the government's concern if we want to put poisons in our bodies or harm our bodies.

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think that he's kind of on to something there, just with a few problems.

    He's suggesting that people putting things into their own body is fine because they're going to be the ones who are hurt and no one else. But he's failing to notice that other people can be affected by someone's drug use.

    I've always thought that the fact that cannabis is illegal while alcohol is legal is completely insane. People are far more likely to be violent under the influence of alcohol, and yet it's legal and encouraged. So, yes, people should be able to do whatever they want with their own bodies, but not if it's going to pose any serious risk to someone else.

    Semper ubi sub ubi
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    hey guys,

    One quick point here, in the essay moby refers to "An enlightened state" this seems be to be critical. We do not live An enlightened state" and in fact quite the oposite is true. Since our state is not enlightend this explains why in some respects the will of the indvidual can be seen as subservient to the state. The state tries to preserve what is best for the state and so trys to preserve phrohibtion (that is i am sure spelt wrong but hey i am among friends). of course many would argue(and i am one of them) that phrohibtion causes problems to state are far more serious than legalisation would be. It is my belief that although drugs should be legalised on (for want of a better word) morale reasons it will only become legal for pragmatic ones.

    Peace out

    The Magic Badger

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i take your point magic badger, but i think that it could be argued that by protecting the interests of the state, ultimately this can only benefit the citizens of the state. in the short term, it may seam unfair or frustrating to be denied immediate personal satisfaction through the prohibition of narcotics but ultimatelly if the interests of the state are protected it could be argued that in the long run the citizens of the state are better off. i would agree with you that prohibition causes problems to the state that are far greater than legalisation but the attitude of pragmatism over appeasment of the immediate selfish will of the people is not necessarily a bad thing.

    this should probably be in the politics forum. oh well.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well he is kinda right.. at the end of the day ppl should b able to put whatever they want into their body as it is their sole possession.. but then since i gave it all up i dont think its right even tho i agree with that point...

    and as snow white said .. other ppl do get affected by someones drug use, people taking drugs even affect other peoples drug use as well ..

    i dont think drugs should be legalised
    I've always thought that the fact that cannabis is illegal while alcohol is legal is completely insane. People are far more likely to be violent under the influence of alcohol, and yet it's legal and encouraged

    v good point im with u on that <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

    {edited to correct spellin mistake n change a sentence}

    [This message has been edited by Spirit II (edited 18-10-2001).]
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