Thread: Legalize Drugs and Prostitution

That's not the point.

The correct question is: how many people can consume/use a particular product/service without becoming addicts, ill or otherwise negatively affected, in relation to those who do. Second, how easy/possible/probable is it to become negatively affected, in other words, what are the odds of «enjoying and getting away with it» versus «the first night on the gallows is always the hardest». That's why the repeated comparison between alcohol, nicotine, dice, poker cards and hard drugs is not a valid argument.

Some people are weak by genetical, psychological and/or social pre-disposition and will develop some form of irrational behaviour -- in terms of acting against their own best interests -- in one way or another. For instance, obesity is a major problem in the US, México and most of Latin America, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, together with astronomical sums for information campaigns, prevention and treatment of secondary symptoms. That does not mean, however, that food per sé is dangerous, not even hamburgers, soft drinks or chocolates. There are people running amok in schools after watching horror videos and others are risking their real life relations because they are addicted to incorporating their MMORPG avatar, but so far, no objective scientific analysis or experiment was able to demonstrate a statistically significant relation between computer games and violence or player addictions. Some people could not get a grip on their finances if it cost their life, but that does not mean that credit cards per sé convert people into shopoholics. Some people are obsessed with collecting Barbie figures, and so on, and so on. Some people will always lack self-discipline, drive anf focus, simply because they are weak. Nevertheless, they are the exceptions in relation to the total number of users, not the rule.

When it comes to hard drugs with a high addictive potential, the numbers are inversed: pretty much everybody who uses certain substances will become dependent and experience serious physical and psychological problems when trying to get clean again. This is the rule, not the exception, and therefore hopefully the last time that alcohol and tobacco were used as a sorry comparison or excuse.



Knowingly taking hard and highly addictive drugs is silly, selfish, stupid and ignorant in the 21^st century, because it does unfortunately not only affect the people who consume them -- if it did, one could speak of good riddance to bad rubbish. There are better ways to get high, for example through achievements in arts, science, politics, sports or recognition in the local community. Consequently, it is time to shift the focus from some dumb junkies who are spoiled by too easy a life in western societies, back to the pressing issues of our time and the world's no.1 fundamental cause behind most ecological, economical, political and social problems that will sooner rather than later affect all of us.

Originally Posted by QuiPeccavit

That's why the repeated comparison between alcohol, nicotine, dice, poker cards and hard drugs is not a valid argument.

I disagree, i think it continues to be a totally useful comparison to how drugs are delt with in the US. In the US all sechudle I drugs are considered to be "hard drugs" and contain the most severe punishments - or are intended to. Looking at the list there are many things on the list which are far less dangerous in your terms than substances that are legal today. To me that justifies some arguments and comparisons about what is "right or wrong" to put into your body. How is something more harmful to you acceptable to use with no fear of penelty where as something less harmful to you is wrong and illegal with severe penelty. Perhaps what im saying is that although were smart enough to distinguish what is a "hard drug" and what is a "soft drug" the government happens to classify many "soft drugs" as "hard drugs" wether that be based on out-dated information or strategic lobbying or whatever. It continues to be a valid argument due to the fact of how far behind the US is when it comes to its drug policy.

other that that i agree with everything you said in your last 2 posts.

legalizing drugs and prostitution will only give illusion to the government of control. They will be a parallel market as there is now a black market. Moreover, you're arguments are invalid. First, it will not reduce Criminal Activity mainly because the parallel market will not shutdown immediately, and it could at the opposite trigger in a short period a rush in gang violence because of "undelivered/paid stocks" in mafias. You can't just legalize something and hope mafia's will have credit = debit between themselves. There will be cheating in drug testing for prostitution. Drugs are ALREADY available for those who need them for medical reason. Drugs will STILL be produced in DARK basement and sold much cheaper than the potential legal market, which will make them relatively more attractive.

Drugs and prostitution are illegal for a reason. You can't change the reasons.

Making prostitution legal will make it easier and eventually more acceptable for children to prostitute themselves, i dont see how this outcome could be avoided. My thoughts are neg towards that.
Most pills are worse than illeagal drugs and just as addictive. the accesability of them to everyone would create a spread of info as to the neg effects and how to get off them.

secerts are tempting. in a couple of years it would be just like alchoal

Legalize both and tax them. The whole state of Nevada (with the exception of Las Vegas) has a good system of health monitoring implemented for legalized prostitution, so with the spread of disease being a concern, that makes legality more appealing as well. I'm not certain that every illicit recreational drug should be legal, but there is no sensible reason why marijuana should be criminalized.

Prostitution is a completely victimless crime. I don't have an issue with legalizing it.

Drugs, can stay as they are. Drug users cause all kinds of problems.

Just a short and sweet. I have no scientific evidence or anything else but the experience of me and my peers.
You will always get the odd one out, look at alcohol, even though everybody knows that its highly adictive you still get people that misuse and get adicted.

Having said this, if something was forbidin, me and my friends would realy work hard at doing it. I think this is a human trait. Thus if we legalize drugs and prostitution it will lose its adventure factor and stop alot of people even giving it a first try. But as I mentioned, you will always get the odd one out...

Legalizing drugs should be address from a law standpoint not a moral one, especially if you live in a democratic country that seeks after individual rights. Therefore, THE CHOICE of smoking a joint or blowing a line of coke shouldn't be banned by that organism that's supposed to guard after your freedom of choice. Sure it can always be tagged as a bad thing, but it shouldn't ever be illegal. However, there's always political machines that one way or another strive for even the most troglodyte pursue (or convenient) towards a draw-back. Perhaps the upmost example of this is Colombia. From 1991 until 2009, the personal dosage was allowed (something by the order of 20 grs of weed and 1 gr of coke). During the long term of the former president, one of these whimsical pursues (8 attempts in congress, first 7 failed) was to criminalize the personal dosage. And so it became illegal to carry or consume the personal dosage in Colombia.

I strongly believe in personal freedom and human race's overall survival instinct, as long as it won't harm others . I mean, the human race won't extinct itself over any of these endemic features, such as allowing gay marriage or smoking a joint or blowing some coke. Besides, there will always be consumption with or without permission. Thus, governments should focus on prevention and awareness on this healthcare issue instead of naively or conveniently banning it. But overall, why if alcohol is the upmost (overall) harmful drug (Drug Harm Charts & Psychedelics « Cognitive Liberty UK) is it legal everywhere? Doesn't really leave sense on the cons' discourse.

Originally Posted by oscarnater

Murgi, did you know that the countries with legalized marijuana actually have a lower percentage of underaged pot smokers in comparison with the US?

Kids will get a hold of drugs. I know in my high school it was easier to get meth than it was to get beer. Same with weed, acid, and Ecstasy.

It wasn't just the 'bad' kids doing this. Pretty, preppy, cheerleader girls with good grades would come and out roll with us.

See, once we found out that everything our teachers and the police had said to us about weed was a lie, we discarded everything they told us about all drugs. We decided to find out for ourselves what it was all about.

Prostitution should be legal because one should be able to control what they do with their own body. Banning prostitution is nothing more than puritanism, enforcing your religious beliefs on others through law.

I think prostitution is gross, but I defend the right of others to treat their bodies how they see fit.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Very well stated, well done.