Benefits to stop for addicts?

[jayohaitchenn]

I'm all for legalised drugs but can't see why the taxpayer should fund the bill.  People seem to forget that the dole was there to catch people and stop them from starving not so they can have a great time.

Got an addiction? That's your problem.  Having seen what alcohol done for my mother means I keep booze at arms length.  I enjoy a drink but it'll never rule me.

The point is we are footing the bill... through crime, rehabilitaion, prison service etc. There has to be a better way.

[Arriba]

it costs a damn site more for victims of druggies crimes,locking them up,police time,etc,etc than if say heroin was available on prescription.
at least that way victims of junkies crimes would drop significantly

[Don Rogers Shop]

I'm all for legalised drugs but can't see why the taxpayer should fund the bill.  People seem to forget that the dole was there to catch people and stop them from starving not so they can have a great time.

Got an addiction? That's your problem.  Having seen what alcohol done for my mother means I keep booze at arms length.  I enjoy a drink but it'll never rule me.

But it's not just 'your' problem as such is it,thats the wider issue.I don't just mean you but that's the way most people think and until people realize it's becoming everyone elses problem then it's going to carry on getting worse.

It's much more deep rooted than saying right go to this drop in centre or we stop the money you get.These people are getting around £70 a fortnight which is not even a days habit in most cases.

[Phil_S]

I have a close family relative who has a heroin habit. He's been smoking it fotr about 5 years, but I only became aware recently. He told me it has been costing £300-£400 per week, & we've only just managed to stop his house being repossessed as a result. He is on a programme, & appears to be making good progress apart from the fact that he is still associatting with his mate who is NOT trying to kick it & is scum as far as I am concerned.
He's on a prescription drug that isn't methadone, but as far as I undersatnd it, blocks the effect if he does take any so there is no point. He initially had to pick up the prescription daily but is now able to pick up 3 days supply at a time & has had clear tests for 10 weeks now.

As to legalisation... Sure it may bring down the price, but do we want it cheap & affordable for all. Another advantage would be to take a source of revenue away from the Taliban in Afganistan ?

But you look at the problems with legal highs, & more particularly alcohol, both are legal & availble AND used, AND cause problems for some.

I'd vote to stay as they are, although I would not object to legalising Cannabis

[Barry Scott]

As a (sensible) drug user, I have to admit the taboo part of being naughty and taking drugs did appeal to me at 18 years old. If the stuff I'd wanted to try had been legal then it's no fun is it?

That's a massive point in my opinion. I only smoked because of the rebel factor and the hardest part for me to deal with, once given up, was wondering how I can stick my fingers up at society by being naughty. I think the same about people that smoke weed. It's a massively underwhelming drug, but in certain circles it's a required accessory, partly because it's what their section of society does and partly because it adds belonging.

I think the same about Speed/Bass, Coke, Ecstasy, MDMA, Ketamine and other so called recreational drugs. I only ended up taking any of the aforementioned drugs because my mates did. I remember feeling pretty pleased with myself and that I was officially part of the crowd when I did as well.

It's for those reasons that I'd still think legalising them would perhaps only swell the coffers. The barriers to entry would be easier and the slope from one drug to the next would be slipperier. Heroin, Crack and most other class A drugs have always scared me, because of their addictive and life ruining nature. Yet legalise them, you're in many respects labelling them as safe, or at the least putting them in the same stable as alcohol and fags, which in the case of Heroin and Crack, can't be a positive. Christ kids still smoke and drink because it's not allowed. The negative press they receive can't help.

[Don Rogers Shop]

I think it's about the long term though Barry by legalizing it it will become less easy to get hold of as anyone with a addiction will be being monitored and treated. Of course you will get some buying to top up but i believe the majority want to get clean and their usage will be reduced but it's the follow up that they really need to focus on aswell.

At the moment you have people who have no life experience whatsoever trying to help these people with rehabiltation who simply refer to page 64 or whatever of whichever book they have read,99% of outreach workers have no idea of why they are doing what they are doing.

I firmly believe that recovering addicts can be a great help for users. If they see someone who has gone through what they have yet is now doing something worthwhile then maybe that will help.

[jayohaitchenn]

We're not talking about a blanket legalisation of drugs anyway. Decriminalising is what we mean. This doesn't mean people who aren't addicted to drugs will be able to wander into Tesco to buy crack.

[nochee]

Can you imagine the advertisements on the tv if supermarkets were to start selling drugs.

Free £20 bag of crack with every crack pipe beginners set.

Rizla party bags, include 10 b&h and some top level skunk.

[tans]

Purple haze is the shizzle

[Crispy]

Purple haze is the shizzle

Mango Chush is the shizzle

[Reg Smeeton]

Purple haze is the shizzle

Are we talking old skool Jimi Hendrix style purple haze....?

[BANGKOK RED]

As to legalisation... Sure it may bring down the price, but do we want it cheap & affordable for all.

I don't think you quite understand the issue with price.

Because it is illegal, the risk factor increases the price which in turn make it a more attractive market to dealers. It has nothing to do with making it more affordable.

But you look at the problems with legal highs, & more particularly alcohol, both are legal & availble AND used, AND cause problems for some.

Yet the vast majority of the population go about their daily lives without a problem despite alcohol being legal AND readily available.

You seem to think that legalisation would lead to drug users would begin to use it every day, it doesn't work like that. If they wanted to do drugs all the time then they would be doing so already, regardless off the law. Addicts are in the minority of drug users.

[tans]

Are we talking old skool Jimi Hendrix style purple haze....?

The weed yeah. This was years ago mind