Can o' worms
I was reading a small piece this week about a Scottish policeman pushing a drug legalisation agenda. It made me wonder about other options in the war on drugs. I am a regular follower of the USA’s involvement in Bolivia and, in particular, their efforts to cull the coca crops in Latin America. I find it interesting because it is the developed world that is fueling that market, we create the demand, it is the Developed World that are turning it into a profitable industry. So could this Scottish Superintendent be wised up in saying that taking control of the drug market, legalizing it and monitoring its cost and quality, might be able to reduce peripheral harms in society?
His argument is that legalizing drugs would reduce peripheral harms such as theft, murder and gang crimes because of the easy access to drugs, no competition will keep prices down and allow the government regular, healthy contact with users, thereby increasing education and rehabilitation opportunities. The government could then work on harm minimization strategies rather than the rudimentary cattle herding that is going on at the moment. No one likes the idea of someone suffering an addiction, but at least this way the problem remains with the user and their associates rather than having an affect on greater society.
I am sure there are a million arguments for and against this, however what I found most interesting was an official taking a solid stance on something that is often tiptoed around.
It was an interesting idea. Here is the article:
One of Britain's most senior police officers has joined the legalization chorus. Chief Superintendent Anthony Wills, borough commander of Hammersmith and Fulham in London, called for the government to take over the drug trade since it cannot stop it.
In an interview with the Hammersmith and Shephards Bush Gazette last week, Wills said even hard drugs, such as crack cocaine and heroin, should be legalized. "I would have no problems with decriminalizing drugs full stop," said Mr Wills. "There have to be very stringent measures over the production and supply of drugs, and we have got to remove the drug market from criminals. I do not want people to take drugs, but if they are going to, I want them to take them safely, with a degree of purity and in a controlled way."
Wills repeated his insistence that he was not promoting drug use. "I am not saying people should take drugs. They are very bad for you, but the reality of the world we live in is this: If people want to get drugs, they can get them. Drugs are a fact of life, and you cannot eradicate them," Wills said. "My only concern is to increase the safety of the community and not to allow these ghastly people to make a fortune out of other people's misery."
Wills, a 30-year veteran who commands more than 2,000 officers, said that no matter how harsh drug laws are, they are doomed to failure. "There are some places where people are beheaded if they sell drugs, but even this does not stop the trade."
And enforcing the cannabis laws is a waste of police resources, Wills added. "I am very liberal in relation to possession of drugs," he said. "Policing cannabis is a waste of our time, as I do not feel the effects of cannabis are any worse than over-consumption of alcohol."
Wills may have joined the growing number of high police and government officials who have gone off the reservation on drug policy, but the Blair government remains steadfast. "All controlled drugs are harmful and will remain illegal," the Home Office noted tersely in response to Wills' remarks. "The Government's drug strategy focuses on the most dangerous drugs as the misery they cause cannot be underestimated. We have not seen the interview and so cannot comment on it."
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His argument is that legalizing drugs would reduce peripheral harms such as theft, murder and gang crimes because of the easy access to drugs, no competition will keep prices down and allow the government regular, healthy contact with users, thereby increasing education and rehabilitation opportunities. The government could then work on harm minimization strategies rather than the rudimentary cattle herding that is going on at the moment. No one likes the idea of someone suffering an addiction, but at least this way the problem remains with the user and their associates rather than having an affect on greater society.
I am sure there are a million arguments for and against this, however what I found most interesting was an official taking a solid stance on something that is often tiptoed around.
It was an interesting idea. Here is the article:
One of Britain's most senior police officers has joined the legalization chorus. Chief Superintendent Anthony Wills, borough commander of Hammersmith and Fulham in London, called for the government to take over the drug trade since it cannot stop it.
In an interview with the Hammersmith and Shephards Bush Gazette last week, Wills said even hard drugs, such as crack cocaine and heroin, should be legalized. "I would have no problems with decriminalizing drugs full stop," said Mr Wills. "There have to be very stringent measures over the production and supply of drugs, and we have got to remove the drug market from criminals. I do not want people to take drugs, but if they are going to, I want them to take them safely, with a degree of purity and in a controlled way."
Wills repeated his insistence that he was not promoting drug use. "I am not saying people should take drugs. They are very bad for you, but the reality of the world we live in is this: If people want to get drugs, they can get them. Drugs are a fact of life, and you cannot eradicate them," Wills said. "My only concern is to increase the safety of the community and not to allow these ghastly people to make a fortune out of other people's misery."
Wills, a 30-year veteran who commands more than 2,000 officers, said that no matter how harsh drug laws are, they are doomed to failure. "There are some places where people are beheaded if they sell drugs, but even this does not stop the trade."
And enforcing the cannabis laws is a waste of police resources, Wills added. "I am very liberal in relation to possession of drugs," he said. "Policing cannabis is a waste of our time, as I do not feel the effects of cannabis are any worse than over-consumption of alcohol."
Wills may have joined the growing number of high police and government officials who have gone off the reservation on drug policy, but the Blair government remains steadfast. "All controlled drugs are harmful and will remain illegal," the Home Office noted tersely in response to Wills' remarks. "The Government's drug strategy focuses on the most dangerous drugs as the misery they cause cannot be underestimated. We have not seen the interview and so cannot comment on it."
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posted by Westy at 10:19 PM
3 Comments:
did you hear that Mexico recently decriminalised posession of small quantities of marijuana and coke... wonder how that'll go...
ALex
yeah, I saw a posting on th nomadlife frontpage, that was what reminded me of the Scottish situation.
doesn't all this just makes you wanna scream? but hell, we snap back to reality and again fight the madness.
i met 7 amazing australians at an AIESEC conference here in the Philippines (where i'm from) and i just have to tell you, i couldn't help but fall inlove with your people.
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