TIK: The ultimate downer.

[copacetic]

I don't understand why people insist on treating addicts like they're "sick". Are you forgetting that it was their choice to take that first hit, compared to (say) a person with depression who has no control over what's happening to them? Addicts have voluntarily brought pain upon themselves, yet people seem to think it's worth spending massive amounts of money and sympathy on such a person who is clearly incapable of making a good choice. Is there really any point in "rehabilitating" such people? Would it not be better to use that money and time to help those who are genuinely ill and can do nothing about their illness?

As for the argument about legalising drugs, I doubt it will work in third-world nations such as our own. It won't hurt the dealers because the police are too inefficient and corrupt to stop them as it stands now, it'll just allow them to ply their trade more freely. As for the millions who live below the pverty line, drugs will become another way to escape their miserable lives, just as alcohol already is for many. To extrapolate and say "it worked in Portugal so it'll work in SA" is naive and ignores the many differences between these two nations.

I am too tired for this silly **** now, but it is naive to expect the current methods to help anywhere, as they demonstratively do not. Also, your attitude towards drug addicts is inhumane and completely lacks empathy as far as I am concerned.

*edit*

In the morning, I can furnish a more polite and reasoned response, sorry.

 

[Dolby]

Also, your attitude towards drug addicts is inhumane and completely lacks empathy as far as I am concerned.

While not quite as extreme as he is, I have a similar attitude towards addicts :/

Sorry.

 

[copacetic]

While not quite as extreme as he is, I have a similar attitude towards addicts :/

Sorry.

Regardless of our personal feelings, in any case, is the fact that there is a drug problem. The question is how do we actually deal with it? Current methods do not work, this is clear. So, what next? We try something different. The model used in Portugal works, sure it may seem to a hardnosed anti-drug person to be hippie, soft hearted bull****, point is, it works.

Ultimately all that matters is how society deals with the bigger problem. I personally feel sympathy, and in the bigger picture, it is demonstrable that resources and empathy directed at the population of addicts is cheaper than fighting the war on drugs and more effective for the good of a given society in general.

All the people who disagree with this, ignore the facts and offer ****all to improve the current way of doing things.

Anyway, off on a tangent there.

Whatever our personal feelings, we must do what is best for the society in general. That is all. People get so wrapped up in their condemnation of addicts that they basically cut off their noses to spite their face, in their zeal to deal out punishment.

 

[Dolby]

I didn't say it was right, as I'm sure there is no right or wrong answer ....

I'm just saying I agree with him more than you on that particular issue. I undertsand the bigger picture too - but perhaps I'm just stubborn

 

[The_Assimilator]

Also, your attitude towards drug addicts is inhumane and completely lacks empathy as far as I am concerned.

That was a blanket statement on my part and every person has different circumstances... the first girl I dated was addicted to heroin due to being gangraped in her teens, and she was a good person who definitely deserved help and support, which I did my best to give her. My point is, why should we waste sympathy and money on people who choose to become addicts for no other reason than they can afford to? (E.g. the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans of the world.)

In the morning, I can furnish a more polite and reasoned response, sorry.

If I was offended by people disagreeing with what I believe I'd be a religious fundamentalist! ;p

 

[copacetic]

I didn't say it was right, as I'm sure there is no right or wrong answer ....

I'm just saying I agree with him more than you on that particular issue. I undertsand the bigger picture too - but perhaps I'm just stubborn

Pardon me, I am a little confused. No right and wrong answer to what? Out feelings towards addicts, or our societal reaction to addicts?

Do you agree that regardless of our personal feelings, we need to do what is best for society? And that what happened in Portugal worked wonders?

That was a blanket statement on my part and every person has different circumstances... the first girl I dated was addicted to heroin due to being gangraped in her teens, and she was a good person who definitely deserved help and support (which I did my best to give her). My point is, why should we waste sympathy and money on people who choose to become addicts for no other reason than they can? (E.g. the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans of the world.)

Why should we waste sympathy and money? A variety of reasons, least of which is that we are wasting enormous amounts of money fighting a useless drug war, that has solved nothing in decades upon decades of it being waged. To give addicts the resources to deal with their problem = less addicts or at least healthier more productive addicts = better for society in general.

If I was offended by people disagreeing with what I believe I'd be a religious fundamentalist! ;p

I was just tired and grumpy and I felt I was a bit short with my response.