This is an emotional debate. I agree with Trevor on the fundamental issue of decriminalising the use of drugs, although maybe not with his argument as to why. The War on Drugs internationally is not a successful one - billions of dollars are spent every year with very little effect on established patterns of illegal drug consumption. Drug fashions come and go. Currently tik (chrystal meth) abuse is the issue everyone is worried about here in the Western Cape. But in the USA, where the chrystal meth phenomenon first surfaced, the epidemic has peaked, and usage is dropping heavily year on year from its peaks in the mid-noughties. Why? Because younger people can see the devastation it has caused amongst their (slightly older) elders. But its not as if they are turning away from drugs. They are going back to the ever-useful marijuana. A drug that has never been linked to any substance abuse deaths, never been linked to violent anti-social behaviour, whose users generally stay home and tune out peacefully. In many states in the USA, medical marijuana use is legal - and these stats have literally millions of marijuana users now (legitimate medicinal ones).
And the criminalisation of drugs simply finances violent criminal gangs - the people who are currently devastating Mexico and our own Cape Flats. They make vast profits from the drug trade and use that money to wreak vast social havoc. Imagine a world where drug use is legal. And all those millions spent on locking away dealers and users is spent on building rehab clinics, and paying social workers and doctors and nurses to genuinely help addicts instead of marginalising and criminalising them. A well-financed and well-researched treatment regime that can help get people back on their feet without the stigma or personal trauma of a criminal record. A world where criminal gangs can't make money out of the drug trade because legitimate tax-paying AND REGULATED businesses are selling drugs. The law could be used to regulate access - no selling to under-21's, no selling to known addicts - rather direct them to the state-financed drug treatment centres. A bit like the gambling industry is heavily regulated today in SA. You may not like the fact that casinos exist in SA - but surely this is more preferably underground gambling dens? I believe that ultimately this outcome is inevitable. Conservative publications like the Economist and Atlantic have been putting forward essentially this argument for many years. It is more humane and accepting of human nature than the current puritanical, prohibitionist and hypocritical regime. I mean, how often are politicians caught in the act of drug use. The last 3 US presidents and the current British PM have admitted to youthful experimentation with drugs! But until this more civilised world emerges, we have to apply the law as it stands, and I applaud VS and SAPS for the work that they are doing to reduce both the dealing and consumption of drugs within Observatory. Justin (these opinions are my own and I do not write this as Chair of Obsid) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Walsh, Carys Sent: 23 September 2011 10:45 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [obsnw] Drug arrest Coming from a family that has been torn apart by drugs - I cannot agree with you, Trevor. You clearly have no idea of the complete devastation that drugs can wreck on a person and all of those who are close to them. Regards, Carys Villet Senior Tax Consultant International Executive Services KPMG Services (Proprietary) Limited PO Box 4609 Cape Town South Africa 8000 Tel: +27 21 408 7468 Mobile: +27 83 440 2054 Fax: +27 86 528 1458 <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] KPMG is rated AAA (equating to a Level 2 contributor) in terms of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Trevor Hughes Sent: 23 September 2011 10:12 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [obsnw] Drug arrest I just cannot understand the sense of satisfaction at the arrest of a 26 year old female cocaine user. What good has this done Observatory specifically and society in general. Apart from causing more work for the police and courts, possible needless financial hardship for the arrestee and her family and having all sorts of further implications should this go to court and she is found guilty of a offense. Was this 26 year old female a threat to society because she had 1gr of cocaine in her possession? What if this was your daughter/sister/wife/friend? Would you be so pleased at this arrest? What if the substance had been a cannabis joint? Would you still be so pleased? Do you smoke cannabis? Do you do other drugs? Does your child, spouse, wife, neighbour, dentist or doctor? Do you know anyone who does drugs? Would you be happy to see them arrested? This arrest is complete waste of time and financial resources that could be better spent policing actual crime. Yes holding drugs is a crime - does not make it morally wrong. Remember apartheid? This young woman (could be your daughter/sister/wife) is now being used a measure of success in the fight against crime? Nonsense! Legalize all drugs now! Read up on the success this has had in Portugal over the last ten years. Arresting users serves no useful purpose and to gloat about it or praise it even less. Think about it - why should the government have any right to tell you what you can an cannot consume. Prohibition is a failure. Always has been. Always will be. It all makes so little sense when you consider that nicotine and alcohol are freely available and condoned and encouraged - try going to a party and social gathering and be caught with an alcoholic beverage in your hand. Peace out and enjoy your drugs of choice safely. (even if they are the horrid alcohol and nicotine!) Trev -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en. The information in this e-mail is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this e-mail by anyone else is unauthorized. 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