Over the time that you've been into this righteous path, dosen't it disturb you that opinions don't seem to be changing all that much, and in-fact the conservatism of peoples opinions are seemingly becoming more solidified?
To a degree it does, but when compared to the general ignorance of legislators back in the 80's and earlier, and the accompanying penalties for drug possession of that time, in many ways society
has come a long way. Besides the court diversion system, we now also recognise there are safer approaches to drug use, even if, for many, the actual act of taking a drug is still viewed as criminal or even immoral.
We do have more people willing to stick their necks out for truth, although, of course, they often don't get the recognition they deserve. That will probably also change as the number increases.
I believe that although years away -maybe decades- something will eventually change in regards to the legislative approach we see today. This may come about due to a major change in drug trends, which by it's nature will make any legislative approach ineffective at best. If such a thing does occur - resulting from changes in drug manufacturing trends, or even if the drugs or drug forms change - I think the legislators themselves will eventually begin to seriously examine why so much is being poured into enforcement while drug use continues to increase and drugs become even easier to obtain.
Doesn't this pahmphlet just prove that governmental Orgns are more interested in focing their desired path by producing information simmilar to a 21st centuries version of "reefer madness"?
Some government organisations. But I feel confident that eventually the real facts and figures will be represented by the most credible departments and institutions. It's happening already, and it's this that makes the incorrect information in publications like this pamphlet stand out i.e. in places, it's out of step with the multitude of other info - from more trusted sources perhaps. People pick up on it, they spread the word, and ultimately the said organisation losses much of it's target audience. What's the old saying?
you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people, all of the time.
Just asking cause I don't know If when I get to your level of experience I'd be able to produce one iota of positivism on such issues..
Man, I hope that in my time I'll see some change in these attitudes that cause me to be viewed as a criminal/druggie.. Every time a "new" pamphlet like this is created by an institution that the general voting public take their ques from I become a little bit more bitter and cynical towards the idea that some sort of change may actually be attainable..
You have to be an optimist. I certainly don't believe that a free for all world - where everyone took drugs - would be at all desirable. I've said many times that we need to reduce drug use, but that this would best be achieved through a more balanced approach than we see at present. Still, repeating what I said earlier, compared to the 80's when harm reduction was an unknown term, we have indeed come along way.