Tars
08-17-2009, 10:28 AM
Like many many others, I've been waiting for 30 years for a sane drug decriminalization policy to be enacted in the U.S. I've believed that at some point there would be a groundswell of public opinion in support of decriminalization, which would lead to a new policy, formed by a left-leaning Congress. After seeing Obama wave the issue off, it looks like it isn't going to happen soon.
I can understand Obama's perspective. He has to prioritize very serious societal issues. Healthcare first, contributing to economic recovery, leading to income redistribution, leading to J - O - B - S. Then, energy industry vitalization, leading to J - O - B - S.
My hope right now is that, instead of sweeping overhaul, drug decriminalization will slowly be enacted as a subset of healthcare overhaul, and planned re-distribution of decreasing public treasure. It's looking like it will happen piecemeal at a local level. Here's an example of how. A St. Louis police officer shares his changed opinion, and gives a picture of changing attitudes within law enforcement. When law enforcement agencies are increasingly getting on the de-crimninalization wagon, the time for change must be getting closer.
From the Washington Post
It's Time to Legalize Drugs (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/16/AR2009081601758.html)
By Peter Moskos and Stanford "Neill" Franklin
Monday, August 17, 2009
Excerpt:
"We all learned similar lessons. Police officers are taught about the evils of the drug trade and given the knowledge and tools to inflict as much damage as possible upon the people who constitute the drug community. Policymakers tell us to fight this unwinnable war.
Only after years of witnessing the ineffectiveness of drug policies -- and the disproportionate impact the drug war has on young black men -- have we and other police officers begun to question the system.
Cities and states license beer and tobacco sellers to control where, when and to whom drugs are sold. Ending Prohibition saved lives because it took gangsters out of the game. Regulated alcohol doesn't work perfectly, but it works well enough. Prescription drugs are regulated, and while there is a huge problem with abuse, at least a system of distribution involving doctors and pharmacists works without violence and high-volume incarceration. Regulating drugs would work similarly: not a cure-all, but a vast improvement on the status quo."
I can understand Obama's perspective. He has to prioritize very serious societal issues. Healthcare first, contributing to economic recovery, leading to income redistribution, leading to J - O - B - S. Then, energy industry vitalization, leading to J - O - B - S.
My hope right now is that, instead of sweeping overhaul, drug decriminalization will slowly be enacted as a subset of healthcare overhaul, and planned re-distribution of decreasing public treasure. It's looking like it will happen piecemeal at a local level. Here's an example of how. A St. Louis police officer shares his changed opinion, and gives a picture of changing attitudes within law enforcement. When law enforcement agencies are increasingly getting on the de-crimninalization wagon, the time for change must be getting closer.
From the Washington Post
It's Time to Legalize Drugs (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/16/AR2009081601758.html)
By Peter Moskos and Stanford "Neill" Franklin
Monday, August 17, 2009
Excerpt:
"We all learned similar lessons. Police officers are taught about the evils of the drug trade and given the knowledge and tools to inflict as much damage as possible upon the people who constitute the drug community. Policymakers tell us to fight this unwinnable war.
Only after years of witnessing the ineffectiveness of drug policies -- and the disproportionate impact the drug war has on young black men -- have we and other police officers begun to question the system.
Cities and states license beer and tobacco sellers to control where, when and to whom drugs are sold. Ending Prohibition saved lives because it took gangsters out of the game. Regulated alcohol doesn't work perfectly, but it works well enough. Prescription drugs are regulated, and while there is a huge problem with abuse, at least a system of distribution involving doctors and pharmacists works without violence and high-volume incarceration. Regulating drugs would work similarly: not a cure-all, but a vast improvement on the status quo."