Drugs in Boro

[Oooo]

Interesting read from chief constable Cleveland on not treeating drugs as a criminal issue:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/22/chief-constable-war-on-drugs-criminal-justice

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

Interesting read from chief constable Cleveland on not treeating drugs as a criminal issue:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/22/chief-constable-war-on-drugs-criminal-justice

If that man told me it was raining I'd look out of the window.

 

[BlindBoyGrunt]

If that man told me it was raining I'd look out of the window.

He is of course right on the money with this article. Prohibition and the War on Drugs has never worked and never will work. We need a new approach, where addiction is treated as a medical issue and the industry is taken out of the hands of criminals.

 

[JackG]

If that man told me it was raining I'd look out of the window.

I've absolutely no idea what he's like as a chief constable but I very much agree with that article

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

He is of course right on the money with this article. Prohibition and the War on Drugs has never worked and never will work. We need a new approach, where addiction is treated as a medical issue and the industry is taken out of the hands of criminals.

I do agree with that view actually, but legitimising, or legalising drugs I think only works if you accept that there is always a market. In other words, legalising it, but then treating it as a medical issue I think is a contradictory message.

 

[BlindBoyGrunt]

I do agree with that view actually, but legitimising, or legalising drugs I think only works if you accept that there is always a market. In other words, legalising it, but then treating it as a medical issue I think is a contradictory message.

So in a legalised market, how would you deal with desperate addicts? Any moves to change our approach to the drug problem would surely have to give preference to treatment over criminality.

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

So in a legalised market, how would you deal with desperate addicts? Any moves to change our approach to the drug problem would surely have to give preference to treatment over criminality.

And there lies the fundamental problem, the proportion of addicts would be huge, when some type of drugs are considered. Legalisation makes usage legitimate, which increases usage, which increases addictions.

It's for this reason I can't ever see it happening, not right across the board with all drug types anyway.

 

[Borothruandthru]

All you have to do is legalise the drugs.
Then stop all benefits if the users wont re habilitate.

 

[jonny_greenings_sock]

Hoppers call it Hamsterdam.

 

[Emmersons_BrazillianDong]

And there lies the fundamental problem, the proportion of addicts would be huge, when some type of drugs are considered. Legalisation makes usage legitimate, which increases usage, which increases addictions.

It's for this reason I can't ever see it happening, not right across the board with all drug types anyway.

Lot of assumptions in that bud. Legislation is not a panacea by any means and theres no doubt that there will continue to be users but there's been no evidence of any increases in countries that have undertaken this path already.

There's been tons of positives coming out of these areas in regards to the huge reduction in deaths, lower crime, lower HIV rates, better health and lower incarceration rates. Its almost certainly cheaper too so you get all of those benefits for a lower or equal cost.

Thing is that we need to have the conversation as a country rather than just stick with a plan that we know 100% doesn't work.

I don't think we're that capable of having that in this country though. Certainly not in this generation but perhaps in my kids time, we'll be ready.

There's no doubting that drugs have a huge impact on society, especially in a place like boro which is so badly affected.

 

[Skelboro]

Agree with the article but to deal with the problem in its entirety it is much deeper rooted. The reasons why people take drugs in the first place also needs addressing beforehand, which would be an almighty task hence the on-going battle to gain control overall. Child poverty, poverty, child abuse, victims of crime, victims of sexual crime, grief, depression and on and on

 

[TheLodger]

Excellent article from our Chief Constable, it's just a shame Turner the knucklehead of a PCC doesn't agree with him, likely one of the real reasons why he is off.

 

[Borothruandthru]

Lot of assumptions in that bud. Legislation is not a panacea by any means and theres no doubt that there will continue to be users but there's been no evidence of any increases in countries that have undertaken this path already.

There's been tons of positives coming out of these areas in regards to the huge reduction in deaths, lower crime, lower HIV rates, better health and lower incarceration rates. Its almost certainly cheaper too so you get all of those benefits for a lower or equal cost.

Thing is that we need to have the conversation as a country rather than just stick with a plan that we know 100% doesn't work.

I don't think we're that capable of having that in this country though. Certainly not in this generation but perhaps in my kids time, we'll be ready.

There's no doubting that drugs have a huge impact on society, especially in a place like boro which is so badly affected.

The other thing to mention is that by legalalising drugs they are no longer as cool.
Criminals gain street credibility and status by supplying illegal drugs being a kingpin, mr big, drugs gang leader, courier, fence etc etc.
Plain chemist exacting misery on the community doesnt have the same appeal.