Legalising Drugs

Like armed forces personnel who open up about underfunding as they retire, Sir Ian Gilmour waited until retiring as President of the Royal College of Physicians to suggest that prohibition of drugs isn't working. He also suggested that an element of legalisation may prove more effective on a range of levels. But at least he's done it.

Now the government prove, once again, how stupid they are by threatening to refuse benefits for junkies who refuse treatment. So, are they more likely to say "oh, go on then I'll go cold turkey"? Or are they more likely to go and hold up the local corner shop to finance their next fix?

It doesn't take a genius to answer that one does it?

Legalize It

It's been a heavy week so I thought it was time to get mellow with a spot of reggae from the great Peter Tosh:

Legalising Drugs

At least this report accepts that current drug policy isn't working. But as ever it recommends tinkering around the edges, which will have little impact.

The biggest problems with drugs arise from their illegality, it's quite simple really. Legally the use can be regulated in the way that alcohol is. OK there wll always be abuse, but remember that prohibition of alcohol in the USA gave that country a huge organised crime problem that they are still dealing with.

It's time to be brave.

Friday Funday

The genius that is David Byrne. This is my idea of heaven: "Everyone is trying to get to the bar. The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven. The band in heaven they play my favorite song." Bliss:



Classic Roxy:




A perfect day with the sun in your eyes:

Legalize It-Peter Tosh

Time To Legalise?

From the Independent Institute:

Officials in the international war on drugs had their work cut out for them last week as they convened in Vienna to collaborate on strategies for victory--or whatever outcome that could reasonably be called successful. Over the past decade, according to a recent study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, opium and cannabis production have doubled while cocaine production has increased slightly. In addition, the former presidents of Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia recently issued a report condemning the drug war as a counterproductive failure. In Mexico alone, the drug war has resulted in the killing of ten thousand people on either side--and often on the sidelines--of the battle between the state and the drug cartels; it has also brought corruption to the office of attorney general.

These and related persistent problems should prompt policymakers to consider the merits of drug decriminalization, according to Independent Institute Research Fellow Alvaro Vargas Llosa.

"Today we regard the Opium Wars of the 19th century--by which the British retaliated against China for clamping down on opium imports--as crazy," Vargas Llosa writes in his latest column. "One and a half centuries from now, people will read in total amazement that so much blood and treasure was wasted in the failed pursuit of a private vice that a relatively small percentage of the world population was not ready to give up."

Full Article.

Another interesting article from 2002.

Prostitutes And The Womens' Institute

In its never ending move to manage every aspect of our lives the NewLab puritans are once again turning their attentions to sex. In this article we read about their attempts to 'Stasify' the WI by getting them to grass up ads in local papers that are a bit naughty.

Forgive me but if a lonely fellow wants a bit of sexual comfort, and a girl is happy to make a few bob providing it, then why not? As ever the puritans cite the worst possible cases, such as human trafficking, but again that is a consequence of prostitution being effectively illegal. In fact here is a Q&A on what is and isn't legal.

Like drugs, prostitution would be cleaner and less dangerous, for all participants, if we were just a bit more grown up and legalised it. Instead Harriet Harperson is playing the Roundhead again. Watch out Christmas, you may be banned next!