So i was thinking, what would alternative policies to how the legal system interprets and deals with drug use as a personal choice, problem, and health concern look like? I personally believe in legalization and regulation. What do you guys think? Do you think any particular drugs need to be rescheduled or legalized? What about when if it got legalized and how would we be able to treat things like drug addiction and overdose and societal costs? Does anyone believe that we need an organized campaign to eventually reform the war on drugs? (some people are already doing this) but i don't know... I was watching stories about how their dealing with Heroin in my local area. The police literally said that we should look at the past overdoses that have happened also as potential crimes which makes me think it will do nothing to help the individual who has been struggling with opiate addiction. Also can anyone help me track down some statistical information about the war on drugs and more specifically Heroin and other opiates? I'm considering attempting to start a harm reduction campaign or something at the least.

Have you ever looked into what Portugal did with its drug policies? Everything there is completely legal, and it is treated as a public health issue rather then a criminal issue. Even drugs like heroin are regulated, which has caused a drop in the overall overdose rate drastically. This is partly due to the fact that people know what they are getting, and know the purity of the product compared to being use to some cheap stuff and then stumbling upon some super pure stuff, not realizing, and shooting up their normal dose leading to an overdose. This is not really an issue over there anymore due to the regulation of the product.

They have also witness a drastic drop in crime rates, because the black market is no longer your means of obtaining drugs. It has taken it out of the hands of the cartels and gangs, who are notorious for killings and robberies of rival gang members and what not.

Total I.V. drug use has also decreased, and there are more and more people who are deciding to go to rehab and get the help that they need if they do become addicts (even though the addiction rate has actually fallen as well). This is partly because it is no longer seen as something that is going to get you in trouble, its instead seen as any other public health issue and people are more willing to help and be accepting.

There are other great things that have come out of this policy reform for Portugal, but I can not remember everything, nor remember the specific statistics as it has been a while since I had read about it. Look into it though, its really something special. I think more countries should start following their lead.

Hey guys,

I have something just for you.
Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs (Kindle Edition) by Johann Hari.
I just bought this book a couple days ago, and I've read up to chapter four.
I find this book extremely helpful. Instead of trying to qualify that statement in detail,
I simply recommend looking into that book.
I've learned about three individuals which acted as the three key components of the beginning of the drug war.
It includes why certain laws were passed and in what context, for example - the Harrison act in the twenties(?) was the first law to ban heroine and cocaine.
One finds out the real reason behind the drug war: racism dressed in chemicals. The drugs themselves became something authorities learned to use as a mean of jailing anyone who disagreed with their policy, including for most uppercase male whites anyone of a different skin color or religion. You will read about Anslinger - You'll know what I mean.

Mckenna also once made the comment that the drug war isn't about untaxed billions or the welfare of the public, but actually the manipulation of mental models that people should inhabit - be allowed to experience.

It's about control, control, control.
Anyway, check out that book. You won't regret it.

This is really what it boils down too.

Take some psychedelics, realize the things that the government is doing wrong and how they are controlling you, and you never forget it. Get enough people taking these substances and realizing the lies we are being fed, and you start having a revolution form. When we start realizing that there are other, better ways, we start to act upon them and stop listening to the authorities. Once they lose their control, they lose their way of life at the top of the economic and political food chain.

This is really not the best of ways to explain it, but its not an easy thing to explain to begin with. Its better understood from personal experience.

I want to second this recommendation. This is far and above the most interesting, well researched, and well written book I have encountered regarding the war on drugs. It provides an amazing overview of the history of drug prohibition and an insightful peek into the current global climate. Highly recommended

Make all drugs legal, sold over the counter.

Maybe when people buy the drugs it can come with info on ways to administer it etc + a pamphlet on effects + the need-to-knows and finally, a line to call in case of overdose and whatnot.

Educate everyone about the potential benefits, side effects, harms of each drug. This is a key point. EDUCATION! I don't know how exactly we'd go about it, but this point is extremely important.

Tax the drugs heavily and use that tax to build free rehab facilities and to fund medical services which support overdoses and treat those harmed by drugs. Can also use the money for drug research + anything really.

I want people to be free to take whatever they want. But what I think is important is that people be educated properly and thoroughly about drugs so they can make an informed decision before partaking.

Rehab those that are addicted who want to be clean.

Idk how this would play out, there's probably tonnes of ways it could go wrong, but I think drugs should be seen in the light of love, also with knowledge that humans are naturally curious and that they should be free to use whatever they want to explore their minds.