tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post5809222637448078616..comments2023-10-05T04:44:25.174-05:00Comments on Addiction Inbox: The Economics of LegalizationDirk Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07429793255785560043noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-59758612149041964422009-04-20T23:46:00.000-05:002009-04-20T23:46:00.000-05:00This is an interesting study, because this strateg...This is an interesting study, because this strategy of legalization is not in any other aspect of society. For instance, murder will never be legalized just to make people not want to do it, yet our jail system puts the everyday citizen in debt.<br /><br />I'm not saying that the Bible endorses anything, but I thought this was interesting... "I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'Do not covet.' But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead." Romans 7:7-8<br /><br />I just thought it interesting that we, like children, find thrill in disobeying the law and living differently than we're told.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-21706236152269042542009-04-20T14:51:00.000-05:002009-04-20T14:51:00.000-05:00"... well designed studies that would give us a be..."... well designed studies that would give us a better idea of the likely, not possible, changes in use and dependence problems are necessary."<br />------<br /><br />Indeed they are, I agree. I think we might be in for some surprising discoveries. My own personal hunch is that the availability of taxed and regulated heroin would not double the population of existing users. It might not increase very much at all.<br /><br /> Most people who don't use, and have never used, aren't likely to start. And some of the societal costs are offset by connecting legalization to the medical treatment community. Supervised withdrawal under a personal physician becomes a possibility for the already-addicted. Some form of legalization would allow many addicts to come in out of the cold and get treatment if they could be assured it wouldn't lead to a prison sentence.<br /><br />Not to say there aren't downsides to blanket legalization. Personally I favor harm reduction strategies that stop short of full decriminalization.Dirk Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07429793255785560043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-50922002661689185992009-04-20T14:32:00.000-05:002009-04-20T14:32:00.000-05:00It is true that the cost/benefit of legalization, ...It is true that the cost/benefit of legalization, whether regulated or not, should be carefully assessed.<br />Still, given the societal costs of heavy, dependent, drug use, I doubt that a policy which may double current use would ever be considered by any western government.<br />Still, I think that well designed studies that would give us a better idea of the likely, not possible, changes in use and dependence problems are necessary.Adi Jaffehttp://www.allaboutaddiction.comnoreply@blogger.com