Drugs: It's time to regulate not incarcerate

[kestrel]

Face it, the legislators of our country have failed miserably in regards to the drug problem in the US. It's time to try something else. Any ideas? :confused:

[Welpe]

Yeah how about we just distribute them. Population control you know. :rolleyes:

[txinvestigator1]

You are not going to find many here who advocate legalization.

Its really a inane topic for a LE board. :rolleyes:

[tk0727]

I agree. You're askin the wrong group if you think it should be legal.

[kestrel]

You would think this is the exact group that needed asking. Your the ones given an impossible job to do and little or no budgets to do it with. Your the guys setting off booby trapped labs and getting shot from crack den windows. Seems to me you would be in favor of something different.

[tk0727]

yeah, why would we possibly want those wonderful methlabs being busted? We should advertise instead of busting them, huh?
"Hey kiddies, look down the road, see that house? They were too hard on the officers, so the officers say it's ok to go get stupid now."

Didn't you say in your other thread that you were through with your drug days?

[kestrel]

yeah, why would we possibly want those wonderful methlabs being busted? We should advertise instead of busting them, huh?
"Hey kiddies, look down the road, see that house? They were too hard on the officers, so the officers say it's ok to go get stupid now."

Didn't you say in your other thread that you were through with your drug days?

OMG! you have got to be kidding! Did I even suggest such a thing? I'm talking about the fact that drug policy has failed horribly. You know, I know it, if don't think it has, you are living in some kind of fantasy land.

All I am asking is that you guys who get handed the dirty end of the stick, what could we do? I'm not aksing someone who is worried about votes or budgets or corporate sponsorships. I'm asking the ones who have to dig in to get it done.

[txinvestigator1]

LEO's don't get the sort end of the stick. Even my 8 year old daughter can see from shows such as COPS that drugs make you a stupid, blathering idiot who is likely to kill yourself or someone else doing something or illegal.

Instead of arguing every POV you get here, you should think about it and learn something. :cool:

[ZmanCarlvr]

Legalization is not the way to go I will agree with that... but I would be interested to hear anybody's opinion on how it should be changed...

America's prisons are becoming more and more populated...

Chicago has begun to distribute citations rather than arrest for a certain amount of cannabis.

It would appear things aren't working as-is,but until people find a better way, (not legalization) things are going to remain.

[BrickCop]

At the barest of minimums there is still a social stigma attached to unlawful drug use. I want all the deterrents I can to remind my kids how bad drugs are. Legalization would excuse horrible, self destructive behavior- no thanks.

[txinvestigator1]

At the barest of minimums there is still a social stigma attached to unlawful drug use. I want all the deterrents I can to remind my kids how bad drugs are. Legalization would excuse horrible, self destructive behavior- no thanks.


IOU rep......

[P_B_J]

that you somehow want to be "pardoned" for your past indiscretions. In your prior post (http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27758) you were trying to convince us or yourself that you had done drugs and are now reformed.

This thread flies counter. I infer from your post that you believe that no harm comes from the free and open use of drugs. Then you temper that with the suggestion that regulation is superior to incarceration.

I have two thoughts on this. First, I have seen first-hand the destruction caused by drug use. I've seen cars crashed, homes wrecked and families DESTROYED by drug use. Further, every cop on this board has investigated crimes, large and small, perpetrated by addicts who were stealing to buy their next hit. I could go on and on, but I think I've made my point.

Second, drugs ARE regulated. It's illegal to possess, manufacture, distribute and/or cultivate the ones you advocate (or at least used) in your earlier post.

My 2

[retired]

that drugs make you a stupid, blathering idiot who is likely to kill yourself or someone else doing something or illegal.

:cool:


You mean like the legal drug alcohol? :)

[txinvestigator1]

You mean like the legal drug alcohol? :)


That too. Alcohol isn't enough, lets make em all legal. ;)

[BrickCop]

You mean like the legal drug alcohol? :)

I agree that alcohol abuse has wreaked havoc on families and society but legalizing drug use would compound things tenfold, it would be much harder to "manage" than even alcohol (retired- I'm not saying you support legalization- just making a point).

[kestrel]

[QUOTE=P_B_J]that you somehow want to be "pardoned" for your past indiscretions. In your prior post (http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27758) you were trying to convince us or yourself that you had done drugs and are now reformed.

This thread flies counter. I infer from your post that you believe that no harm comes from the free and open use of drugs. Then you temper that with the suggestion that regulation is superior to incarceration.

Second, drugs ARE regulated. It's illegal to possess, manufacture, distribute and/or cultivate the ones you advocate (or at least used) in your earlier post.

My 2

[txinvestigator1]

Couldn't someone at least suggest a different approach without being labled some kind of liberal hippy drug freak?

Lets see.......................... nope.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/txinvestigator/Jokes/ViewImage.gif

[retired]

I agree that alcohol abuse has wreaked havoc on families and society but legalizing drug use would compound things tenfold, it would be much harder to "manage" than even alcohol (retired- I'm not saying you support legalization- just making a point).

You're correct, I do not support leagalizing drugs, but I don't really have an answer for the current drug problem. We put people in jail longer for minor drug violations than for some part one crimes. In fact it seems that incarcerating scores of people for drug use hasn't diminished the problem. And yes, I know, if the courts would impose a proper sentence, the disparity wouldn't exist.

But, if our society feels that it's okay to legalize alcohol, why not some other drugs? In fact, why not make alcohol illegal again and try legalizing MJ, and see what the result would be? Personalyl I don't think it would work, but it's food for thought. ;)

[P_B_J]

Did someone label you a liberal hippy freak?

[kestrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/txinvestigator/Jokes/ViewImage.gif

by the way, here's my usual signature :eek:

http://home.comcast.net/~esseaney/foolsig.jpg

nope, noone has called me any names like scrote or anything...


Let me take a humble stab at an idea. I don

[txinvestigator1]

Geesh, you just dont get it do you?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/txinvestigator/Jokes/stop.gif

[P_B_J]

nope, noone has called me any names like scrote or anything...So let me get this straight--I point out that I believe you have an agenda and you label me for it?

Dude, chill out. The Lee Ermy reference was FUNNY. And it was offered as humor. Please, get a grip.

You came to a law enforcement website and asked us about your employment eligibility. Most of us told you candidly to forget it. Then you change threads and try to convince us that the system's broken. Well it is. We all know that it is. But at the end of the day, we are all WARRIORS ON THE FRONT LINES. We don't make public policy, we are centuarians! You are barking up the wrong tree. We swore while reciting our respective oaths of office to uphold the constitutions of our county and our state. You are trying to convince us that the users aren't criminals. But face it under the current statutes, THEY ARE CRIMINALS, sleepy or not! And we are ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

And you dare to call me myopic because I disagree with your politics...if it didn't require too much energy, I'd be offended.

[kestrel]

Unless your jurisdiction covers people brains, then I'll assume I can think anything I want. We don't have thought police. yet. And I haven't violated board policy. Why I'm even in the right topic aren't I? Excercise some of that free will and go don't come in here if you don't like it.

[1BAD-SS]

Back in my college days I thought that regulating drugs was a good idea. I have never used any illegal drug in my life mind you. My experiences on the street have drastically changed my opinion on this subject. Once you see one crackhead (the kind that will do ANYTHING for the next rock), you will be changed forever too. The first time I saw this kind of animal all I could think of is that person living anywhere near me or other decent members of society.

Now if drugs were regulated I would still want there to be drug testing for any job involving any amount of responsibilty for its employees. However, as soon as this happens the aclu will raise holy hell over drug users being targeted for discrimination. This is why regulation will not work.

As far as cops getting the dirty end of the stick:
1. I don't do this job for the money or glamor
2. I didn't start doing this job to change the world
3. I may not win the war on drugs, but I WILL make a dent every chance I get
4. Being a cop and enforcing the law is not and never will be easy. That is why most of the cops on this board and on the street prepare for war and are ready to fight when we have to.
5. I could go on and on, and this stuff probably sounds cheesy. However to the cops that have done the job for awhile and the younger ones that will last know it to be true.

[kestrel]

So let me get this straight--I point out that I believe you have an agenda and you label me for it?

Dude, chill out. The Lee Ermy reference was FUNNY. And it was offered as humor. Please, get a grip.

You came to a law enforcement website and asked us about your employment eligibility. Most of us told you candidly to forget it. Then you change threads and try to convince us that the system's broken. Well it is. We all know that it is. But at the end of the day, we are all WARRIORS ON THE FRONT LINES. We don't make public policy, we are centuarians! You are barking up the wrong tree. We swore while reciting our respective oaths of office to uphold the constitutions of our county and our state. You are trying to convince us that the users aren't criminals. But face it under the current statutes, THEY ARE CRIMINALS, sleepy or not! And we are ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

And you dare to call me myopic because I disagree with your politics...if it didn't require too much energy, I'd be offended.

I meant you are myopic because you applied a bunch of things to me I never said. And here we are again, I never said you or anyone had to agree with me. Are you really reading the posts? I never even said or inferred that drug users weren't criminals.... And I have posted in other topics, btw. I'm sorry I haven't reached the 1,569 posts required to express an opinion here.

I must admit, I did make the assumption that you could come up with some sort of a spark of an idea of your own. I guess you are incapable of having any other opinions other than those given to you.

[1BAD-SS]

Unless your jurisdiction covers people brains, then I'll assume I can think anything I want. We don't have thought police. yet. And I haven't violated board policy. Why I'm even in the right topic aren't I? Excercise some of that free will and go don't come in here if you don't like it.


Yes, you can think anything you want! When you open your mouth and voice your opinion be prepared to be called on it and face the consequences. Does the name Ward Churchill ring a bell? Don't get ****ed at use for debating your ideas with our own. You are getting what you asked for.