tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post2704155495365336727..comments2023-09-20T11:15:28.673+01:00Comments on Transform Drug Policy Foundation Blog: New Scientist: 'Blueprint for a Better World: Legalise drugs'janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15263261726046054614noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-46141459428825192412009-09-12T17:55:41.777+01:002009-09-12T17:55:41.777+01:00Some excellent points. I'm all for decriminal...Some excellent points. I'm all for decriminalization of recreational drugs. So I guess you were kinda preachin' to the choir on this one. How likely is this article to get read by those who are in a position to enact actual changes in the real world? <br /><br />Until politicians can say stuff like this out loud (without comitting political suicide), little progress is likely to be made. This is especially true in countries like the USA, where the nature of politics mostly kills the whole "open discussion" idea anyway. <br /><br />The real problem is that the subject of decriminalization is just not subject matter for politicians who plan to get re-elected. Any mention of anything other than the "war on drugs" is pretty much taboo. <br /><br />It doesn't help any that there's a huge lobby of prison builders/suppliers, prison guards, police, lawyers etc whose jobs might be affected by decriminalization, and who therefore have a major stake in keeping drugs illegal. These are the ones who will break out the highly emotionally charged arguments should any mention of reform get brought up. <br /><br />I am pleased to hear that Portugal has reformed their system. They are an example for other countries to follow in the future. I do think that some reforms are inevitable, but I doubt that they will happen anytime soon, at least not in my country.al capone juniornoreply@blogger.com