[knodi123]

> "Legalize everything" stops working when addictive substances are involved.

I don't really think that's the case. Prohibition is what enables all the evils we hate. If all of these drugs were legal, and cheap, and sold at or below cost by the government, _and all other sales were illegal_, then guess what would disappear overnight? Dealers, smugglers, junkies supporting an expensive habit by fencing stolen goods.... and most overdoses. Actual deaths. You still have your addicts, and maybe you get _some_ new ones - but they're getting safer drugs from a place where there are also resources for getting yourself clean. It really, really sounds like a win/win/win.

[erenyeager]

It’s not a win win because you’re spreading the drug use. And this had health consequences and social ones. I think the culture needs a shift, there are many countries with harsh punishments for drug dealing and the culture around drug usage just does not exist like it does in the US. Some places will even shun addicts and not help them with their addiction. And remarkably, these societies don’t have as many drug problems!

[knodi123]

> It’s not a win win because you’re spreading the drug use.

Am I, though? As the fundamental claim behind your dismissal of all the other benefits, including the massive death tolls, it behooves you to back this one up.

> there are many countries with harsh punishments for drug dealing and the culture around drug usage just does not exist like it does in the US

Oh, they're harsh here, too. Can you show that the harshness of the penalties has led to a reduction in drug use?

> Some places will even shun addicts and not help them with their addiction

Cruelty and brutality can certainly influence peoples' behavior. So can compassion and understanding. I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree about how morally righteous it would be to just crush and brutalize anyone involved in the illegal drug trade. Whatever "illegal" is defined as, based on our government's criteria (and disregarding groups like the AMA).

https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-exp...

[erenyeager]

Please go to other countries and see how much cleaner, safer, and peaceful they are without accepting the terror of drug crime in public. There are clearly cultural and contextual differences, but it really goes to show that we do not have to tolerate open crimes and accepting criminal behavior to be forced on the public.

[knodi123]

> Please go to other countries and see how much cleaner, safer, and peaceful they are without accepting the terror of drug crime in public.

Nobody thinks drug crime is good. I discussed a solution that would instantly end drug crime, because I think drug crime is a horrible, unacceptable problem.

> but it really goes to show that we do not have to tolerate open crimes and accepting criminal behavior

It really feels like you didn't understand the fundamental concept of legalizing drugs. That doesn't mean legalizing crime. And it doesn't have to mean legalizing public intoxication any more than legalizing alcohol did.