I've held off from voicing my opinion here, as it's a pretty controversial topic as is apparent from the discussion. I think it's an important discussion to have though. Even if the other side is wrong, it is good to challenge your thinking from time to time. That in mind, lets try to keep this as civil as possible or it will have to be closed.
Jess- I would just like to point out that you are the one who started with the name calling by calling Dersch's beliefs "foolish, discredited, and completely incompatible with civilized society". While I don't necessarily agree with Dersch, rather than call names, why not demonstrate your point if it is so? Surely if it is disproven there are studies and examples to point to.
And there are, for example, take a look at
Switzerland, who has had great success with a harm reduction approach.
Also, this video does a good job of summarizing the current situation.
The idea that the war on drugs is a failure is not just one that circulates drug circles and among junkies. It's increasingly becoming an accepted idea among scholars for one main reason- that facts stand behind it. Punitive treatment has not been shown to be successful in treating drug addictions or "cleaning up the streets". Instead, the opposite- drug offenders are pushed further into a life of crime limited by their past, while demand for drugs remains the same or increases creating a thriving black market, which perpetuates a lot of the evil which it, the war on drugs, seeks to destroy. The truth is, most drug crimes are non-violent in nature and the person often most harmed by the addiction is the person addicted themselves.
Dersch, while I agree that it is not inhumane to hold someone against their will given the right circumstances, and drug addiction may perpetuate those circumstances, your thinking is one that is based in fear and hate, which is extremely limiting to your perspective. Drug addiction in and of itself does not harm anyone but the user- other crimes against society are just that, other crimes and should be treated as such. I would ask to see some statistics that back your statements like "punitive punishments are great" in the context of treating addiction, but I know there are none. Keep in mind this is a drug forum and most here have had to deal with their own addiction. While I understand you may be angry and have been hurt by drug addicts, this is not the way to work through it.
Lets try to keep the conversation respectful and civilized going forward. If we are going to debate, remember to only debate the facts as it's senseless to try and debate opinions.
