prohibition makes drugs very expensive.
this money goes into the hands of organised crime. these syndicates become very powerful - look at the situation in mexico. how is that a good outcome for any society? giving obscene wealth and power to organised crime gangs?
regardless of how it effects us personally, i'm kind of tired of this complacent middle-class australian attitude of "well, it doesn't affect me so i don't have a problem with it". this country is getting more selfish and ignorant every year.
the effects of prohibition are many-fold. whilst i agree most people aren't mature enough to handle drug usage responsibly, the situation at the moment is ridiculous. impure/misrepresented drugs sold at a massive profit to people poorly educated about their effects because it's illegal, it's taboo.
yes, progressive policies in countries like portugal have worked very well. this notion of treating people like silly children has to stop - people always have, always will take drugs.
the current legal and political attitude towards drugs has more to do with maintaining the status quo and the profits of pharmaceutical, alcohol and tobacco corporations than it does any concern for people's wellbeing or social order. it's about keeping people down.