I am seeking to get some questions answered. I realize that some of the questions that I’m about to ask you are questions that you may not be able to answer but if you have someone that you can refer me to it would be great. I’m just trying to gather information to be put together for a documentary called One Love Addiction© in an effort to improve addiction recovery. Thank you for your time.

Here are the questions:

1. How much money was received in 2005 & 2006, from asset seizures in drug related crime arrests in the United States?

2. Why is media allowed to market depression and other illnesses to advertise legal drugs on national television? I.e., commercials that sell anti depressants and other drugs therefore encouraging the public to resort to drugs as a false sense of well-being?

3. What procedure took place to outlaw the television media from advertising the sale of tobacco?

4. Can we implement these procedures to outlaw the advertisement of Alcohol and other legal drug sales on national television?

5. What is the difference between legal and illegal drug sales?

6. What is the difference between legal and illegal drug use?

7. Why is it that when a town’s economy gets very poor, the drug stores flourish?

8. Why is it that when a town’s economy gets very poor, drug related crimes increase?

9. If everyone stopped illegal drug use, smoking and drinking alcohol and resorted to natural health care tomorrow, what would that do to our governments economy?

10. How much does our system rely on drug addicts and people staying sick?

11. Why are there so many strict laws that limit the practice of natural health care?

12. Did you know that, based on Alcoholics Anonymous World Services’ own statistics, Alcoholics Anonymous has only 5% retention rate and therefore is at a 95% failure? Given these facts, why is the government funding programs based on the 12 steps when there are other facilities that yield success rates from 30% to 90%? I.e. http://www.soberforever.org to name 1.

If we legalize pot, for example, it could be regulated and taxed, and that would allow the cops to go after bigger offenses than possesion.

I wouldn’t object to legalizing marijuana, and treating it on the alcohol or tobacco model (for all I know those two models will converge someday), which are real-world examples set for us to follow.

I cannot abide this blanket statement….End the war on drugs.

Well, legalizing anything and everything (in the same way marijuana might be) is about as utopian as Prohibition.

What’s reasonable for the “Drug War” now is to end the parts now that are truly bad and wrong, beginning with civil asset forfeiture and continuing with unnecessary incarcerations (wasteful of prison resources and wrongly exposing the non-violent to risks in a violent environment), too-harsh sentences, etc.

Eating chocolate and becoming Fat does not impair your judgement to perform your civic duty, your work duties or impair your ability to drive.

Eating Big Macs till you drop does not impair your judgement in operating machinery and cutting off your fingers because you are high on cholesterol.

Being high on Cocain, Lsd, Mescaline, Heroine, Marijuana, Meth, Crack DOES

Therefore no case could ever be made to me that would change my mind about legalizing drugs.

I could be persuaded to do so with Marijuana because I do believe its medical effects and the mental capacity inhibitors are relative to Alcohol. With the proper regulation and oversight I would grant the legalization of Marijuana.

I cannot abide this blanket statement….End the war on drugs.

Yes my friend look about 16 posts up. I listed a study from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

Cocaine is presently the most abused major stimulant in America. It has recently become the drug most frequently involved in emergency department visits. Relatively small use of Cocaine destroys your heart. It destroys the small blood vessels in your heart and renders your heart inefficient. Blood vessels collapse on themselves and lose their elasticity. The doctor can take one look at the echo and determine that you have been taking Cocaine.

Heroin. Soon after being administered, heroin crosses the blood-brain barrier. In the brain, heroin is converted to morphine and binds (attaches) rapidly to opioid receptors. Heroin is particularly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly.

LSD is not considered an addictive drug since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior as do cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine. However, like many of the addictive drugs, LSD produces tolerance, so some users who take the drug repeatedly must take progressively higher doses to achieve the state of intoxication that they had previously achieved. Physical changes involved? The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Again in the echo department many times we can see the side effects of extended LSD use as the drug interacts with the blood vessels creating elastic issues.

For some people, MDMA can be addictive. A survey of young adult and adolescent MDMA users found that 43 percent of those who reported ecstasy use met the accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence, as evidenced by continued use despite knowledge of physical or psychological harm, withdrawal effects, and tolerance (or diminished response), and 34 percent met the criteria for drug abuse. Almost 60 percent of people who use MDMA report withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.

I could go on and on and on. I would repeat again. Show me given the continual research by medical research on the health and mental effects that illicit drugs create that legalizing drugs in America is a good thing?

“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon and the other things. Not because it is easy but because it is hard.” JFK

He understood. I guess he was John Wayne huh??

If we legalize pot, for example, it could be regulated and taxed, and that would allow the cops to go after bigger offenses than possesion.

Vulgar and abusive comments are not allowed under the comments policy posted below. Your comment has therefore been deleted.

I ask that they protect my grandchildren from going to a party and dropping acid and taking nose dives out of the second story window because they can fly.

I would much prefer your grandchildren learn that lesson from their parents — the same parents who should be teaching them not to drink and smoke. Or, is acid somehow so much more tempting than alcohol and tobacco that, without large government anti-drug police action, your grandchildren would be unable to survive?

I ask that my government act responsibly and keep the health risks in check as we watch the addiction that is documented. There is no such thing as Casual Heroine or Crack users.

I ask that you provide evidence for such statements — preferably from medical journals that have studied the issue.

Im sorry but you guys are head cases if you think Legalizing drugs is good for America. Some issues are just hard, they are tough but they have to be dealt with. Drug Use is not good for anyone……….Period. It destroys your health, it destroys you life and all Americans then are forced to pay for your stupidity.

Eating too much chocolate makes girls fat and unattractive. It’s bad for their health, complexion, and self-esteem. I think we need a war on chocolate to fix this problem that is terrorizing so many otherwise cute girls.

Because something is hard…….does not mean it should be abandoned.

Sadism doesn’t make you John Wayne, and it doesn’t make you right.

If so, there’s places you can turn to for help.

Yes I do Nick. I am very addicted to the drug war. I ask that my government protect me and my family from crack heads driving mindlessly.

I ask that they protect my grandchildren from going to a party and dropping acid and taking nose dives out of the second story window because they can fly.

I ask that my government act responsibly and keep the health risks in check as we watch the addiction that is documented. There is no such thing as Casual Heroine or Crack users. You take it your hooked. Even if you not…My brother in law has been given minutes, days or years to live because the Cocaine he did Destroyed his freaking heart!!!

Im sorry but you guys are head cases if you think Legalizing drugs is good for America. Some issues are just hard, they are tough but they have to be dealt with. Drug Use is not good for anyone……….Period. It destroys your health, it destroys you life and all Americans then are forced to pay for your stupidity.

I have an addiction to the drug war. I get up every morning and I check for the 6 signs to be sure they are in place. I read the AMA journal on how devestating drugs are to the human body, reaffirm my position and go to work content with the knowledge that I am right and YOU are wrong.

Because something is hard…….does not mean it should be abandoned. If so then fire the policemen and the firemen because its hard fighting fires and crime.

1. Dependence – subject becomes so dependent on drug war that attempts to discontinue drug war abruptly lead to signs of withdrawal.

2. Tolerance – over time, larger doses of drug war are needed to achieve the same effect.

3. Compulsivity – subject feels compelled to continue drug war in spite of social, emotional, or physical problems related to drug war.

4. Mental status changes – subject shows signs of incoherent thinking, delirium

5. Uncontrolled spending - subject spends large somes of money to support his drug war habit–to the point of spending beyond his means.

6. Denial – subject denies that he has a drug war problem and becomes defensive or angered when subject is broached.

Do you have a drug war addiction problem, Somebody?

If so, there’s places you can turn to for help.

The “If government doesn’t ban it then it is condoning it.” argument is used on more than drugs. I’ve seen it applied to abortion, pornography and prostitution as well.

Quite a few years ago Sixty Minutes did a shocking piece on the lives of innocent people that had been destroyed by the War on Drugs and how cash and property is being seized and kept even after the person was cleared of all charges. It really pissed me off how cavalier the DEA and other law enforcement agencies were about perpetrating those injustices.

That is indeed sad.

You may even be surprised to learn that some of the most outspoken proponents of drug legalization are former drug enforcement officers who have had firsthand experience waging the War on Drugs.

“COPS SAY LEGALIZE DRUGS: ASK ME WHY”

That’s the message that is emblazoned across the front and back of Howard Wooldridge’s shirt as he makes his way to speaking engagements across the country, sporting a cowboy hat and riding atop his horse. Mr. Wooldridge is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a non-profit organization made up of current and former police officers, DEA agents, judges, and prosecutors who oppose our government’s War on Drugs. It was founded in March of 2002 by Jack Cole, a 26-year veteran of the New Jersey State Police, and four other current and former ranking police officers.

Mr. Cole spent 12 years as an undercover narcotics officer, going after everything from petty drug users to billion-dollar drug trafficking organizations. During these twelve years, he witnessed first hand the failure of our government’s War on Drugs as well as the corrupting influence it has on law enforcement agents. Since then, he has become a passionate advocate of ending the War on Drugs and has spoken to colleges, radio audiences, police recruits, and veteran officers across the country.

According to its Mission Statement, LEAP’s objectives are as follows:

The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.

LEAP’s main strategy for accomplishing these goals is to create a constantly enlarging speakers bureau staffed with knowledgeable and articulate former drug warriors who describe the impact of current drug policies on: police/community relations; the safety of law enforcement officers and suspects; police corruption and misconduct; and the financial and human costs associated with current drug policies.

LEAP’s Board of Directions is comprised of the following members:

Jerry Cameron: Retired police chief of two Florida towns
Peter Christ: Retired police captain from Tonawanda, New York
Jack Cole: Retired lieutenant of the New Jersey State Police
John Gayder: Current member of the Niagara Falls Police Department in Ontario
Terry Nelson: Current Federal Agent in Border Patrol, US Customs and Homeland Security
Eleanor Schockett: Retired Florida Circuit Court Judge
Howard Wooldridge: Former road officer and police detective for DeWitt and Bath Townships in Michigan

In August of 2006, LEAP released a 13-minute promotional video to further insight into the organization’s perspective and role in drug reform. It can be found at LEAP’s website or streamed from the YouTube embed above.

The Legal Drug business is the biggest hustle known to mankind

Seriously think of Big Pharma and the things they do. How they manipulate your everyday lives, your thoughts, your actions. They are basically unstoppable. They’ve got a whole country hopped up on meds and most of us think that shit is okay cuz it’s legal. Any studies that come out embracing natural healing methods, don’t you ever notice how quickly those stories die or fade away???

it’s a dirty game and we’re all involved in it

Is America safer and healthier with legalized drugs? Will the ultimate legalization of drugs result in less government intrusion and smaller government?

If so then point to the evidence and suggest to me compelling reasons why I should believe that drugs are just okay.

Another strawman argument, Somebody.

I never once said that doing drugs is “okay.”

In fact, not a single person in the comment thread has said that doing drugs is “okay.”

The vast majority of libertarians that I have met have never argued that doing drugs is “okay.”

What you don’t seem to understand (or are unwilling to concede) is that arguing that the government should not criminalize an activity is NOT the same thing as condoning an activity.

I don’t think smoking cigarettes should be illegal, but that doesn’t mean that I think doing so is “OK.”

I don’t think eating Big Macs for break, lunch, and dinner every day of the week should be illegal, but that doesn’t mean that I think doing so is “OK.”

I don’t think driving without a seat belt should be illegal, but that doesn’t mean that I think doing so is “OK.”

I don’t think having sex with mulitple sex partners without any form of protection should be illegal, but that doesn’t mean that I think doing so is “OK.”

I don’t think participating in Neo-Nazi rallies should be illegal, but that doesn’t mean that I think doing so is “OK.”

I could on and on and on, but I think (or hope) that you get the message by now. Arguing that the government should not criminalize an activity is NOT the same thing as condoning an activity. And from this point forward, if you continue to argue that libertarians and proponents of drug legalization think doing drugs is “OK”, then you are deliberately building a strawman argument.

I actually think I am quite intelligent and I actually think that if someone could convince me to legalize pot that I might be willing to look at it.

But to just throw out a blanket statement………End the war on drugs………..

That invites debate does it not?