Unfortunately, in the USA, partisan perceptions of how to solve problems — however irrational — have a better chance of being legislated into law than actual, time-tested, successful, methods used in non-dysfunctional societies. Too often, our politicians will use an outlier or singleton, to prove their point, and the partisan public meekly accepts it without hesitation … unable/unwilling to face reality and examine the data critically. Our divisive, partisan, political system only produces unhappy, untrusting, suspicious, dissatisfied, angry, individuals longing for a better quality of life but not having an altruistic, supportive, collaborative government — that treats them all alike — they turn to drugs as a refuge.
Let’s be honest. The reason so much of Latin America is in turmoil is because of the USA’s insane and counterproductive War on Drug-Using Americans. Our country is the world’s largest market for illicit drugs, and our national policy has driven all those billions of dollars squarely into the gladly open hands of the criminal underworld that controls the coca and marijuana fields and their incessant turf wars and corruption of public officials. Whenever you hear the words “drug money”, remember where it’s coming from.
It‘s even worse in Afghanistan, home to 90% of the world’s opium poppies, where Americans financed both sides of our longest-running war.
Why don’t we take a lesson from Prohibition? After it was repealed, entrepreneurs opened taverns all across America and are now a source not of crime, destruction, and death but of conviviality, employment, taxes, civic engagement, and responsible behavior in cutting off people who’ve had too much.
A man I know in town lost his granddaughter to Fentanyl last Sunday night. They said it was her first time taking the drug. It proved to be her last as well. She was 21 I think.
Since I was in my mid-teens I’ve wondered why the $**t-tons of money spent on the “war on drugs” couldn’t be spent instead on helping people to not want or need drugs. You know, housing, health/medical care, education…that silly stuff? And before the conservative trolls jump in, yes, there would still be some people who did drugs, but orders or magnitude fewer I’m guessing. We should give up our fixation on punishing people we deem miscreants and try this experiment.
Sad situation. Drug dealers are killing off their own customer base with Fentanyl, but their customers are too addicted to care… and the dealers are able to find plenty of new customers…
aristoclesplato9 about 1 year ago
Another sad Biden legacy.
Valiant1943 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Touching fentanyl will not kill you, ingesting it could.
ladykat about 1 year ago
I don’t get it.
superposition about 1 year ago
Unfortunately, in the USA, partisan perceptions of how to solve problems — however irrational — have a better chance of being legislated into law than actual, time-tested, successful, methods used in non-dysfunctional societies. Too often, our politicians will use an outlier or singleton, to prove their point, and the partisan public meekly accepts it without hesitation … unable/unwilling to face reality and examine the data critically. Our divisive, partisan, political system only produces unhappy, untrusting, suspicious, dissatisfied, angry, individuals longing for a better quality of life but not having an altruistic, supportive, collaborative government — that treats them all alike — they turn to drugs as a refuge.
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 1 year ago
Let’s be honest. The reason so much of Latin America is in turmoil is because of the USA’s insane and counterproductive War on Drug-Using Americans. Our country is the world’s largest market for illicit drugs, and our national policy has driven all those billions of dollars squarely into the gladly open hands of the criminal underworld that controls the coca and marijuana fields and their incessant turf wars and corruption of public officials. Whenever you hear the words “drug money”, remember where it’s coming from.
It‘s even worse in Afghanistan, home to 90% of the world’s opium poppies, where Americans financed both sides of our longest-running war.
Why don’t we take a lesson from Prohibition? After it was repealed, entrepreneurs opened taverns all across America and are now a source not of crime, destruction, and death but of conviviality, employment, taxes, civic engagement, and responsible behavior in cutting off people who’ve had too much.
ShadowMaster about 1 year ago
A man I know in town lost his granddaughter to Fentanyl last Sunday night. They said it was her first time taking the drug. It proved to be her last as well. She was 21 I think.
casonia2 about 1 year ago
Since I was in my mid-teens I’ve wondered why the $**t-tons of money spent on the “war on drugs” couldn’t be spent instead on helping people to not want or need drugs. You know, housing, health/medical care, education…that silly stuff? And before the conservative trolls jump in, yes, there would still be some people who did drugs, but orders or magnitude fewer I’m guessing. We should give up our fixation on punishing people we deem miscreants and try this experiment.
ferddo about 1 year ago
Sad situation. Drug dealers are killing off their own customer base with Fentanyl, but their customers are too addicted to care… and the dealers are able to find plenty of new customers…
zerorest about 1 year ago
Which side of the border is that on?