Very true about what drugs can do.

[threebikesmcginty]

He's done some research on drug use using humans instead of rats and says drug abuse isn't exactly the problem it's cracked up to be.

Cool

 

[swee'pea99]

He's done some research on drug use using humans instead of rats and says drug abuse isn't exactly the problem it's cracked up to be.

I think that's part of it, but only part of his main point, which I understand is, as summarised by one of his peers, "we need to recognize his point that we’re not making decisions based on the data. And that can have far-reaching implications, politically, in terms of policy." In other words, that legislation is driven by emotive prejudice and 'political agenda', rather than being based on fact.

 

[Archie_tect]

Followed up Karl Hart's progress since he wrote the article in 2011 that Mickle posted. Here is a link to his discussions about his new book:

http://www.salon.com/2013/06/17/carl_hart_drugs_dont_turn_people_into_criminals_partner/

He concentrates more on the social/ political impact of poverty and law enforcement in America, seeing drug use as an effect rather than a cause of the problems affecting the poor and in particular the documented discrimination of young black Americans in the cities.

Making drugs legal and cheap won't take the problems away: people will still seek happy places out of their torment, but that won't help them- the suppliers will just move onto something else.

 

[mustang1]

Does this include alcohol, too?

Humour aside, I've never taken any (illegal) drugs and I dont drink, much. Maybe once or twice a year I'll have a glass of wine, but you could pretty much call me teetotal. I do feel very drawn to chocolate but I think it's a habit... I dont have a craving for it yet I will eat loads of it (and cakes and sweet stuff). I've never touched tobacco either.
Does it include caffeine/tea/coffee/soda drinks/red bull? I drink plenty of tea in cold weather, not much in hot weather, the occasional coffee, a soda can once every couple of weeks.
So when I said *my interpretation* of the OP was to do with hard drugs, I meant crack, and stuff like that (IDK much about illegal drugs, and perhaps that is why my interpretation is thus. I have a small understand of taxation of drugs and how illegal drugs could become legal once a method was found to efficiently tax them.

 

[User169]

Interesting little snippet I caught on the radio this morning. The govt drugs advisory board (forget its real name) is proposing that ketamine be raised from class C to class B in view of new data on its effect on the bladder. The reporter said that the govt doesn't have to follow the advice, but likely will since it advocates tightening the position. On the other hand, the govt routinely ignores advice that recommends retaining the status quo or down-grading drug. Seems to back up Karl Hart's suggestion that not much drugs policy is evidence-based.