Decriminalise All Drugs?

[mushroom25]

the Scottish government wants personal possession and use of all drugs (including class A) to be treated as a healthcare issue rather than a criminal one

https://www.bbc.com./news/uk-scotland-66133549

notwithstanding recent number decreases, Scotland still has the highest number of recorded drug deaths in all Europe

Drug laws are reserved to Westminster, but Scotland can legislate on healthcare issues.

Is this the right approach? or will it cause more problems than it solves?

[andy-hughes]

Zacs - // ‘ But the fact that use of them in the workplace, for any profession, with legal sanctions to enforce that rule, means that drug use will be confined to leisure time’

Cuckoo! //

You are behaving like a pub blowhard boor who thinks if he pours scorn often enough and loudly enough, his derision will coalesce into some sort of valid response to a valid argument.

If you have something constructive to say, I am delighted to debate with you, but your pointless petty rudeness will be ignored, as it deserves to be.

[Zacs-Master]

Andy, how can you write ‘ The system is not perfect, but nothing is’ after stating that ‘legal sanctions to enforce that rule, means that drug use will be confined to leisure time’?

[Zacs-Master]

I can find no other way to describe your bizarre conclusions, Andy.

[retrocop]

//Your matelot or fighter pilot can get drugs now, if the want to - the fact that they are illegal does not prevent that.//

If he acquired illegal drugs now he could be subjected to a mandatory drug test. All service personnel have to take it. Prince Harry excused himself when facing the test at his airbase and strangely he left the armed forces and hasn't piloted an aircraft since?
There has to be rules regarding the use of legally acquired drugs and that's where it will become very complicated within the work force or those still capable of work.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // I’ve read it - but if the use of drugs presents a problem - which it does - it’s simply irrational to say that greater use will lessen it. //

That presupposes that the entire country is desperate to try illegal drugs, and would leap on them the day they became legally available.

I don't believe that's true for a moment.

The vast majority of adults in all countries have no interest at all in drugs, certainly not going through the trouble and risk of buying them illegally.

The notion that everyone will fell bound to try heroin simply because they can is a fallacy, I don't believe society works like that.

People who want to use drugs can, and do use them, I am simply advocating a system of control based on a sensible attitude to drugs and their use in society as a whole.

Again, the idea that everyone will suddenly be rushing to get off their faces is simply a fear-mongering argument that prevents anyone trying anything different to the strategies we have, which remain as expensive as they are ineffective.

[andy-hughes]

retrocop - // There has to be rules regarding the use of legally acquired drugs and that's where it will become very complicated within the work force or those still capable of work. //

Complicated how?

If drug use is not permitted in the work place, what difference does it make what type of drug it is?

[andy-hughes]

Zacs - // Andy, how can you write ‘ The system is not perfect, but nothing is’ after stating that ‘legal sanctions to enforce that rule, means that drug use will be confined to leisure time’? //

As I have pointed out, I am hypothesising out loud.

No-one knows what effects the legalisation of drugs would have - I merely offer it as a possible viable alternative to the utterly useless and ruinously expensive approach we are saddled with at the moment.

[beso]

I've smoked cannabis for over forty years and it has never been a problem. No different from having an alcoholic drink to relax. I used to sing in a band and my best performances were always after having a smoke.

I work a full time job and I wouldn't go to work stoned or drunk because it wouldn't be pleasant.

A lot of my friends the same.

[retrocop]

//Complicated how?

If drug use is not permitted in the work place, what difference does it make what type of drug it is?//

Discrimination in the workplace. If a worker turns up incapacitated to work they can have their services discontinued.
If they turn up having taken a legal narcotic they will be screaming from the rooftops that they have been discriminated against because they used a substance in their 'leisure time'
I reckon the Industrial Tribunals have enough work on their hands with discrimination claims without a influx of drug addicts staking their rights.

[Zacs-Master]

‘ As I have pointed out, I am hypothesising out loud’

Then I suggest you stop as it’s making you look very silly.

Also, STOP adding in adjectives which exaggerate the persons point. In answer to Naomi you’ve written ‘ That presupposes that the entire country is desperate to try illegal drugs’ when she said nothing of the kind. The word desperate wasn’t even approached.

[beso]

A lot of highly competent professionals use cocaine when they party and nobody would ever know. Done it occasionally myself and enjoyed the energy.

[andy-hughes]

Zacs - Your inabiity to argue effectively and in a mature fashion, is your problem, not mine.

If you want to dump the childish insults and debate properly, we have an exchange of ideas, if you want to be a pub boor, you're on your own.

[beso]

I've also done LSD and magic mushrooms.

Taking Ayahuasca prepared by a Quechua shaman in Ecuador was probably the most profound experience in my life. Diviner's Sage was pretty special too.

Drugs haven't done me any harm. In fact quite the opposite.

[andy-hughes]

retrocop - // Discrimination in the workplace. If a worker turns up incapacitated to work they can have their services discontinued.
If they turn up having taken a legal narcotic they will be screaming from the rooftops that they have been discriminated against because they used a substance in their 'leisure time' //

Your post does not make sense.

If a worker turns up incapacitated, they are sanctioned - the reason for that incapacity is not the issue, so the drug they are incapacitated by is not the issue either.

If I turned up for work drunk - having used a legal drug - I would be sanctioned accordingly. My drug is legal.

Under my suggestion, if I turned up stoned, my drug would also be legal, but the incapacity would be identical, and so would the sanction.

[andy-hughes]

Zacs - // Then I suggest you stop as it’s making you look very silly. //

I'm ignoring you, it's your round at the bar.

[andy-hughes]

Zacs - // Also, STOP adding in adjectives which exaggerate the persons point. In answer to Naomi you’ve written ‘ That presupposes that the entire country is desperate to try illegal drugs’ when she said nothing of the kind. The word desperate wasn’t even approached. //

I don't respond well to instructions from people not qualified to give them.

I will post as I wish.

[Zacs-Master]

You ignoring me or not, you need to make your mind up, Andy.

You’re free to post as you wish but you should know that adding in adjectives which aren’t there in an effort exaggerate your response makes you look daft.

Your usual pint of ‘bitter’ is it, Andy?

[andy-hughes]

// You’re free to post as you wish but you should know that adding in adjectives which aren’t there in an effort exaggerate your response makes you look daft. //

And you should know that your continual rudeness and sarcasm makes you look ignorant and childish.

But we all have to live with the opinions of others, however much we despise them

[andy-hughes]

Zacs - // You’re free to post as you wish ... //

Phew! Thank heavens for that!

I thought for one horrible moment you were going to take my posting rights away, and then what would I do???

[Zacs-Master]

Probably prattle on about the ‘so’ rule or some other self-invented rubbish.