KenH,
There is absolutely no possible way to equate the pharmacological damage caused by crystal methamphetamine with that of alcohol. We are just beginning to understand the frontal lobe and hippocampus damage that occurs with just one meth trip. The "gatekeeper" of input filtering, emotional, and behavioral control is destroyed more with this toxic filth than with any other drug previously encountered.
Perhaps you could go with me with one of my former students to pick up his mother off the streets--a former working "soccer mom" who now has left her family and prostitutes for the drug.
You insult people like that kid by calling for the drug's legalization.
Argue prohibition and twinkie management all you want, but you are demonstrating an ignorance about the basic facts of how this drug works. And I'm probably more libertarian than most of this board!
From your post:
2. Gangs aren't there because of meth...they're just using it as income. Gangs would find another source. This is an oversimplification.
3. How dare you insult victims of those controlled by their desire for meth. I'll introduce you to "Cindy," from a former church of mine. She was raped by a meth addict who robbed her. Because of meth, a "real crime" occurred.
4. This is perhaps the only viable argument. But since the relapse rate of meth is higher than any other drug (crack cocaine is the only thing close), it doesn't seem like "disincentive" is the problem. If good private organizations can't help many meth addicts, why do you think the government--notoriously inefficient and wasteful--can?
5. Once again...an insulting statement. Meth cannot be safe, and anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of it's pharmacology would know that. Do people put toxic filler in meth? Yes...and they should be punished ever so severely! But remember...meth is SO addictive, that victims will take that risk...with a regulated or unregulated "product." But even "pure" meth turns people into amoral automatons. Only God's power, through prayer, recovery programs, inpatient and outpatient support, and accountability, has consistently freed people from this scourge.
6. Let me see...last year, there were thousands of landfill violations nationally regarding toxic waste disposal. So...how's that again?
KenH, I know you despise this drug...any Christian would. But your course of action would be catastrophic.
RBell
There is absolutely no possible way to equate the pharmacological damage caused by crystal methamphetamine with that of alcohol. We are just beginning to understand the frontal lobe and hippocampus damage that occurs with just one meth trip. The "gatekeeper" of input filtering, emotional, and behavioral control is destroyed more with this toxic filth than with any other drug previously encountered.
Perhaps you could go with me with one of my former students to pick up his mother off the streets--a former working "soccer mom" who now has left her family and prostitutes for the drug.
You insult people like that kid by calling for the drug's legalization.
Argue prohibition and twinkie management all you want, but you are demonstrating an ignorance about the basic facts of how this drug works. And I'm probably more libertarian than most of this board!
From your post:
1. No, labs wouldn't close. This stuff is so addictive that there would always be a market. It ain't like twinkies or even alcohol.From the article:
"We know certain things for sure. If meth was no longer illegal:
1. All dangerous clandestine meth labs in residential neighborhoods would close;
2. All dangerous street gangs would be out of the meth business;
3. Every dime currently spent on meth prohibition could be spent on real crime;
4. Meth addicts would have no legal disincentive to seek help;
5. The manufacture of meth would be safe and produce a consistent product; and
6. Toxic waste from meth production would be safely disposed."
2. Gangs aren't there because of meth...they're just using it as income. Gangs would find another source. This is an oversimplification.
3. How dare you insult victims of those controlled by their desire for meth. I'll introduce you to "Cindy," from a former church of mine. She was raped by a meth addict who robbed her. Because of meth, a "real crime" occurred.
4. This is perhaps the only viable argument. But since the relapse rate of meth is higher than any other drug (crack cocaine is the only thing close), it doesn't seem like "disincentive" is the problem. If good private organizations can't help many meth addicts, why do you think the government--notoriously inefficient and wasteful--can?
5. Once again...an insulting statement. Meth cannot be safe, and anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of it's pharmacology would know that. Do people put toxic filler in meth? Yes...and they should be punished ever so severely! But remember...meth is SO addictive, that victims will take that risk...with a regulated or unregulated "product." But even "pure" meth turns people into amoral automatons. Only God's power, through prayer, recovery programs, inpatient and outpatient support, and accountability, has consistently freed people from this scourge.
6. Let me see...last year, there were thousands of landfill violations nationally regarding toxic waste disposal. So...how's that again?
KenH, I know you despise this drug...any Christian would. But your course of action would be catastrophic.
RBell