DEBATE: I argue for blanket legalization of all drugs for adults. [View All]

I believe that the many ills that "recreational" drug use brings to our civilization could be ameliorated in whole or in part by blanket drug legalization. That's right; I'd allow adults to buy any drug they wanted, and which somebody would consent to produce commercially, and to use that drug within the confines of the same laws that currently apply to alcohol or tobacco usage.

Follow me on this...

With complete legalization there will be no more black market sellers. All drugs will be professionally produced, and impurities in them basically nonexistant. Manufacturers would have known addresses and assets, and so would have to produce a clean product or face tort liabilities nobody with a profit motive wants to submit to.

And the worst of drugs, things like PCP, would have no market whatsoever. Too much liability for the makers! And there would be zero demand for drugs like that because of the many obtainable and safer alternatives. Who would use PCP when you can get opium or hashish? Who would use meth when you can get dexedrine and benzedrine cheaply? Who would use Special-K or DXM when you can get mushrooms and LSD?

And drugs like cocaine and heroin would no longer fuel crime at home and abroad. The Columbian Drug Cartel would fall in an instant, and the Coca-Cola company would be the biggest importer of cocaine.

Tax revenues would now be collected on all drug sales, both at the state and the local level, and this would provide a much-needed boost to flagging government revenues. And that is without even considering adding extra taxation such as is done now with tobacco and alcohol. (And I could support a tax stamp act for all recreational drugs, too.)

The drugs would have to be bought at a liquor store or similar, and THAT is where you have your opportunity to help the addict. At the point of sale you make VOLUNTARY treatment available to them. In fact, you can have voluntary treatment that is not government sponsored or regulated, so you can reach the illegals and others who cannot risk having the government know where they are. Its like this... Would you rather a wanted felon be at large as a drug addict, or would you rather a wanted felon be at large while attending a treatment program?

And I would include alcoholism in this point of sale strategy.

The only time I would force any treatment on anybody is if they present at an ER with an overdose.

I believe that this plan would;

- Reduce crime
- Reduce deaths due to overdose
- Reduce HIV transmission from shared needles
- Increase tax revenues
- Promote border security
- Drastically reduce prison costs

Comments welcome!