One of the reasons I'm absolutely against possession of drugs being a crime is exactly this: it gives police officers the power to put in jail anyone they choose.
Couldn't agree more. Then again, I research drug policy and addiction and have very strong convictions on this matter, so I'm admittedly biased (albeit all my views are fact/evidence-based). I could go on for pages about those biases though, so I'll spare you
edit - Screw it, I will add in one of the reasons/thoughts: currently, our prison population (which is by far the highest in the world, per capita) is comprised of over 50% inmates there for non-violent drug offenses. This prison population has risen roughly 800% since the inception of the war on drugs in the 70s. Add in that we now have a booming private prison industry -- by definition, prisoners are their merchandise or profit-margin. This creates a serious conflict of interest that incentivizes crime, and leads to things like lobbying for more laws, specifically, the criminalization of drug addicts (despite knowing that treatment and harm-reduction strategies are more effective, and less costly; many make the mistake of framing the argument as a moral one, like "they are sick people that need help, not criminals that need to be reprimanded," -- I agree with that, but don't think it's the strongest reason to argue for reformation of our drug laws)
Yes that's one of worst things of America. In Italy you go to jail only if they catch you with a quantity above a certain limit, but personal consumption of any drug is not a crime.
The main problem with the US system is that these kids thrown in jail will be exposed to real criminals who will corrupt them. Then their jobs opportunities are pretty much gone after they get out, so they are screwed for life. They will be forced to become actual criminals.
Drugs should be illegal but consumption should not be punished with jail.
Thanks for sharing the story, very interesting.
One of the reasons I'm absolutely against possession of drugs being a crime is exactly this: it gives police officers the power to put in jail anyone they choose.
Couldn't agree more. Then again, I research drug policy and addiction and have very strong convictions on this matter, so I'm admittedly biased (albeit all my views are fact/evidence-based). I could go on for pages about those biases though, so I'll spare you
edit - Screw it, I will add in one of the reasons/thoughts: currently, our prison population (which is by far the highest in the world, per capita) is comprised of over 50% inmates there for non-violent drug offenses. This prison population has risen roughly 800% since the inception of the war on drugs in the 70s. Add in that we now have a booming private prison industry -- by definition, prisoners are their merchandise or profit-margin. This creates a serious conflict of interest that incentivizes crime, and leads to things like lobbying for more laws, specifically, the criminalization of drug addicts (despite knowing that treatment and harm-reduction strategies are more effective, and less costly; many make the mistake of framing the argument as a moral one, like "they are sick people that need help, not criminals that need to be reprimanded," -- I agree with that, but don't think it's the strongest reason to argue for reformation of our drug laws)
Yes that's one of worst things of America. In Italy you go to jail only if they catch you with a quantity above a certain limit, but personal consumption of any drug is not a crime.
The main problem with the US system is that these kids thrown in jail will be exposed to real criminals who will corrupt them. Then their jobs opportunities are pretty much gone after they get out, so they are screwed for life. They will be forced to become actual criminals.
Drugs should be illegal but consumption should not be punished with jail.