The link between hard drug users and crime is almost entirely due to the fact that those drugs are prohibited. Black markets normally made up of criminals are more than happy to supply people because prohibition drives the cost of these drugs to 14,000% or more of the price they would be if they were legal. Addicts can't afford these prices and commit crimes so they can pay for what they need.
If drugs were legal, the criminal element would be removed, drugs would be safer, and the price of drugs would be so cheap that those addicted to them would be able to afford them without stealing or committing crimes against others.
So any link between drug use that might exist is irrelevant because it would be gone were drugs legal. And as far as medical costs, treatment, etc. go, I'm against the government forcing anyone to provide healthcare. Healthcare is not a right. Nobody has a right to any product or service they don't pay for. But even if we did have government treat addicts, it would cost probably less than 10% of what we pay currently to jail them.
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"I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
- George Carlin
Last edited by Radar; 03-11-2004 at 06:34 PM.
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