[valkyrie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KillarneyRose
1. Where should the drugs come from? Would the US buy the drugs from Colombia or wherever they're smuggled in from or would we buy/make our own?

I'm not sure about this, but would guess that we would probably import drugs like cocaine (do we have the environment in the US for that?), but I'm sure there would be many happy to grow marijuana right here. I would also guess that there would be labs set up here to create things like E and LSD.

2. Would the drugs be given away? Or would they be sold? If they are sold, wouldn't there still be a problem of people who are addicted and unable/unwilling to work who would commit crimes to finance their habit?

In my perfect world where drugs are legal, they would be sold at stores, like Osco or Walgreens. I don't think that anyone could or should expect to get them for free. I'm sure there would be a few people who might commit crimes to finance their habits, but I think the most important effect of legalizing drugs would be that the prices would be A LOT lower. Buyers wouldn't be financing drug dealers and gang bangers, so everything would be cheaper. I don't know if there are people out there committing crimes to buy some beer or vodka or cigarettes -- I doubt it, but I suppose anything is possible.

3. Would they be given away/sold under medical supervision?

No. My opinion is that as long as you aren't hurting anyone else, you should be able to do what you want with your body -- so I don't see why a doctor should supervise. How would HMOs handle this? Anyway, my thought is that doctors are for treating medical conditions -- using drugs isn't a medical condition, and therefore unless there is a problem, I don't think they should be involved.

4. Would the amount each person can get change as they continue to need more and more to maintain their high?

I don't know. If I remember correctly, with LSD, for example, you need more to get the same effect, but only if you're doing it twice in a short period of time. Most people don't do it that often, so no, you wouldn't need more. I think this would maybe be an issue with cocaine, but I'm not sure. I have a book on this topic, and if I have time later I'll look it up and let you know what I find.

5. Would there be a problem with disgruntled dealers pressuring addicts to continue buying from them? Violence?

I don't think so -- I've never heard of a liquor store clerk chasing down an alcoholic. If it's in the mainstream like alcohol, I don't think that this would be a problem.

6. If drugs were legal, would more people become addicted to them? If so, what about all the drug addicted children who would be born? Would provisions be made for their care? How about addicted parents not being able to take care of children? Would this overburden an already shakey foster care program?

I'm sure this has been studied, but I don't know.

7. Would there be a certain age at which people could buy/receive drugs? If so, wouldn't there be a problem trying to keep them from underage people?

Again, it's the same with alcohol. I would almost argue that there shouldn't be a drinking (or a "drugging") age because I think that makes it only more appealing and exciting for people who are under age. But I don't know. Again, in my ideal world that doesn't exist, there would be no drinking age and children would learn to be responsible from their parents and not need the government to tell them what not to do -- but I know that's not going to happen.

[B]8. Would first time drug users have to undergo counseling or something to inform them of the physical dangers inherent with drug usage?[\B]

No. Who would do the counseling? Who would order it? Pay for it? I think that would be much too much government intrusion into an individual's life. I don't think the government has any business ordering such a thing.

I've thought about this a lot, although I haven't really studied it. IMHO, legalizing drugs would actually save this country a lot of moeny. We spend tons and tons of money for law enforcement to fight a war it can't win, not to mention all the money spent putting people in jail for mere drug possession. Your tax dollars are, right now, being wasted (in my opinion) on keeping some guy locked up for having a little weed in his pocket as he was walking down the street. I think that is a huge waste of time, money and energy.