What changes would you support to our narcotics laws?

[Pannonian]

State control and supply. Drugs provided by the state will have a guarantee of good quality, with checks so the NHS can monitor how and where they are used, and will be taxed to high heaven so the state can get revenue from the druggies (but the prices will still be lower than they are now). Combine with a two-handed policy of buying up raw material in Afghanistan in return for a certain amount of influence there. Whatever the Taliban can do, they can't outbid us in the market.

[ICantSpellDawg]

State control and supply. Drugs provided by the state will have a guarantee of good quality, with checks so the NHS can monitor how and where they are used, and will be taxed to high heaven so the state can get revenue from the druggies (but the prices will still be lower than they are now). Combine with a two-handed policy of buying up raw material in Afghanistan in return for a certain amount of influence there. Whatever the Taliban can do, they can't outbid us in the market.

Maybe if we tax them to heck, druggies can finance their own rehab and be a net zero cost to the taxpayer, in contrast to what they are now.

[Strike For The South]

Legalise it. Put it in Supermarkets and let the herd cull itself.

It's no buisness of mine what you put in your body.

[LittleGrizzly]

Full legalisation - like alcohol....

The first option was somewhat tempting though... It would bring much joy to my heart to see my middle class family going to a dealer to buy themselves drugs (alcohol)... see middle class middle aged women getting thier bottles of wine...

I of course would be there getting very emotional that one of my family members are on 'drugs!' Reading off the latest goverment pamphlet threatening to arrange an intervention and making occasional vieled threats about contacting the police...

The first one or any of the last 4 would do... lets not be hypocritical in the matter...

Ideally in my view the harder drugs would be sold at pharmacy's or maybe even clinics, something soft like marijuana could be done like the coffee shops in amsterdamn or just at newagents....

[Idaho]

Maybe if we tax them to heck, druggies can finance their own rehab and be a net zero cost to the taxpayer, in contrast to what they are now.

With the industry worth well over a billion $ a day in the US, even a 1% tax would show a surplus even after luxurious rehab expenditure.

[Hosakawa Tito]

I was under the impression, due to a trainig session I attended at work awhile ago, that the U.K. had an "opiate maintenance" policy that allowed registered addicts to receive legal measured doses of heroin along with other health services. The program was designed to help users stabilize their lives, reduce crime and increase their chances of getting clean. From what I recall this program was showing some impressive positive results.

What ever became of it?

I'm in favor of that type of system, if it proved effective because what we are doing now isn't working and is costing a fortune in treasure & lives lost and ruined.

[Idaho]

I was under the impression, due to a trainig session I attended at work awhile ago, that the U.K. had an "opiate maintenance" policy that allowed registered addicts to receive legal measured doses of heroin along with other health services. The program was designed to help users stabilize their lives, reduce crime and increase their chances of getting clean. From what I recall this program was showing some impressive positive results.

What ever became of it?

I'm in favor of that type of system, if it proved effective because what we are doing now isn't working and is costing a fortune in treasure & lives lost and ruined.

It was widely used until they decided to replace it with methadone rather than heroin - which gives you relief from the addiction for a longer period, but doesn't actually give you the pleasurable 'hit' so many users take both.

There have been some pilot programmes to once again implement the policy you outline. The trial in Plymouth saw a 800% reduction in petty theft and burglary in the area it was trialled!

[HoreTore]

The thing with drug users is; they need x amount of money yearly. As they don't produce anything, that money is going to come from your pocket.

The only choice you have, is whether give it to them, or have them steal from you.

[Fragony]

The only choice you have, is whether give it to them, or have them steal from you.

Or shoot them when they try, I think guns and weed are pretty much in the same category when it comes to people knowing what is better for others.

[Idaho]

The thing with drug users is; they need x amount of money yearly. As they don't produce anything, that money is going to come from your pocket.

The only choice you have, is whether give it to them, or have them steal from you.

Actually that's not true. You will find that the majority of drug users work for a living. It's only the problem users who do nothing but get high. Providing them with the drugs they want not only removes the need for crime, but also allows them to stabilise their lives and sort themselves out.

Some drug users who probably work:

[HoreTore]

Actually that's not true. You will find that the majority of drug users work for a living. It's only the problem users who do nothing but get high. Providing them with the drugs they want not only removes the need for crime, but also allows them to stabilise their lives and sort themselves out.

I was talking about the heavy users, yes.

[drone]

Legalize certain drugs. Certain rec "drugs" are too harmful to the body/mind and should still be controlled. State regulated supply for the legalized drugs to ensure quality control and taxation.