Victimless crimes involving drugs.

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

 How much money would be saved if, as Ron suggested, police in Somerville (or MA) stopped pursuing victimless crimes involving drugs? Does anyone know if  such a proposal is being discussed seriously anywhere? Excuse my ignorance...

Comments

Can you articulate, Ron?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Do you mean that people use more drugs BECAUSE there is a law to be broken, out of some form of rebellion? Just making sure I understand.

Re: Can you articulate, Ron?

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

This might come in handy:

http://www.cato.org/raidmap/

It's a Google mashup of incidents occuring over no-knock raids. Not all of these involve drugs, but drug dealers being able to destroy their weight is a reason offered to continue no-knock policies.

Re: Can you articulate, Ron?

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

Interestingly enough, over in Amsterdam, where it's quasi-legal and can be purchased in "coffee shops", not a lot of natives smoke it. The majority of the problems that require the police to step in involves alcohol, and I have to tell you, when the Dutch police step in, it is seriously crazy. At Leidsplein (one of the big squares with many bars/clubs, including Melkweg and can be seen in the Amstel commercial with the guy juggling the soccer ball), they park there in this huge grey truck and at the first sign of trouble, they pour out of it swinging clubs at anyone in their path.

Meanwhile, in the coffee shops, people hang out and stare at their feet for hours on end.

[dougo.livejournal.com]

If drugs are outlawed, then only outlaws will sell drugs.