This is not a subject I've studied in the past, but a terrible tragedy in nearby Baltimore a few weeks ago has really got me thinking.
A family of 6 was killed when their Baltimore rowhouse was firebombed by a known drug dealer in retaliation for the mother of the family calling the police on him. It was the second time in the past few months that the house had been firebombed.
Now, I realize that if drugs were legal this would probably not have happened. And, part of me thinks that since alcohol is legal, why not drugs? But I had a few questions I would like to throw out for others who might be more familiar with this concept than I am...
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?
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?
3. Would they be given away/sold under medical supervision?
4. Would the amount each person can get change as they continue to need more and more to maintain their high?
5. Would there be a problem with disgruntled dealers pressuring addicts to continue buying from them? Violence?
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?
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?
8. Would first time drug users have to undergo counseling or something to inform them of the physical dangers inherent with drug usage?
Even though I think my conservative bent is very well known on this board, drug legalization is something I could see myself endorsing. But only if it would make things better. If it opens whole other cans of worms, I don't think it would be worth it.
Thanks, everyone, for your input! And remember, no flaming! Everyone's opinion is welcome; just play nice!
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