Chaos Theory: Drugs are fun

Chaos Theory: Drugs are fun has a post in which she argues for perpetuation of an illogical anachronism.  Making drug use illegal is no more morally justifiable or enforceable than prohibition in the twenties was in America.  Ruth says

Drug users, and the infrastructure they support, are responsible for more teen pregnancies, run aways, poor scholastic performance, spread of disease, welfare cost, subsidized medical costs, violence, murder and crime than any other singular cause. It may be true that you can eliminate some of the evils of recreational drug use by legalizing drugs; however only to the detriment of making some of the other evils more abundant and pronounced. Legalizing drugs is not a solution. I openly admit that I view any person who uses or supports the use of drugs as a fool.

Have to disagree with Ruth.  Legalise & tax.  My choice what I put in my body. The health costs of smoking are more than fully paid for by cigarette tax.  In fact there is an argument that with the delayed effects and pay up front the compound investment effect of cigarette tax paid now more than pay for the entire health bill of the country.
Alcohol & tobacco are drugs & taxed as such.  The war on drugs is costing you money.  A sensible legal code & tax regime would do far less to marginalise users and would add to the legitimate economy.  You do not advocate banning cars because some youths misuse them and kill innocents.  Why do the same with "illegal drugs"

Comments

[Ruth]

You seemed to have missed my point entirely. I would posit the ones who want to legalize drugs and TAX them are asking for more government- which I certainly don't want.

[sagenz]

not quite sure how the intrusiveness of criminalising something means government is less involved than taxing it and using the funds for healing those with addictions