Posted by Marcus on April 11, 2002 at 12:41:50:
In Reply to: Re: OK posted by MH on April 11, 2002 at 11:58:39:
Your theories are flawed because your assumptions are too large. Drugs are
no more addictive whether they are legal or not legal. What makes you so
sure there would be more addicts if drugs were legalized? I know that your
assumption is more people will use drugs, but how do come to that
conclusion? Studies have shown few people abstain from drug use because it
is illegal. Also, countries with more liberal drug policies typically have
a smaller percentage of drug users than in the U.S. In addition, even with
gov't taxes the cost of drugs would be greatly reduced. The competitive
open market dictates that. It isn't like these products are expensive to
produce. Alcohol and Tobacco are relatively affordable despite markups of
35-80% because of taxes. People typically do not have to resort to such
extreme measures as robbery to support those habits. Why would other drugs
be any different?
> But, because of the 'addictiveness' of all drugs (including pot,
including alcohol), I beleive you would see a marked upsurge in robberies
as drug users would need to feed their addiction (whether or not the drugs
were legalized in the first place). Drug users (including alcoholics)
have a difficult time holding down a job which leads to trying
to 'creatively' finance their needs. So you'd end up with more out of
work people with less money trying to find ways not to make ends meet but
rather where (or who) they can easily target for a quick 'score'.
> Again, IF pot were to be legalized, the government WOULD place high
taxes on it (or any other drugs) which wouldn't drive down the cost
(rather would probably keep it in line with today's prices).