“The problem with drugs in your neighbourhood is caused by a government which wrongly declares these drugs illegal. But people still want drugs, so criminals provide them. Since criminals are greedy, they jack up prices. When prices are high, people have to rob, kill and maim to get sufficient funds to supply their habits.”
He ranted, “Think of how life would change if people no longer went to the drug houses for crack. Life in the hood would quiet down if people could buy their crack at any 7-11, their ecstasy at Esso and their weed at Wal-Mart. Competition would increase and prices would decrease. Then addicts would no longer resort to crime to support their addiction.”
“If government declared that all drugs were legal, think of the money they'd save in the failed 'war on drugs.' Then we'd finally have enough money for social programs and treatment facilities.”
We argued for awhile. I like the guy, but I figure he's pretty naïve.
Something really bugs me when folk talk about legalizing drugs. It's wrong to imagine that legalizing drugs would reduce their impact on the body or society.
Erasing criminal consequences of drug use is among the least of the addict's problems. The addict's relentless self-absorption and multiple health problems are not wiped out just by legalizing his drugs.
The fact that prostitution is legal in Canada has not improved the health of prostitutes and the communities in which they work. In fact, it has further shielded prostitutes in my neighbourhood from any meaningful intervention.
Freedom is great, but life without limits gets scary. Even the patron saint of Libertarians, John Stuart Mill, acknowledged that “it would be better to be Socrates discontented than a fool satisfied.” Or, as my friend Larry says, “It may be true that 'ignorance is bliss,' but I want more out of life than bliss.” In my neighbourhood, someone else's ignorance may considerably diminish my bliss.
Lately I've been wondering if the prevailing philosophy of our day is: “If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.”
It seems to work for government. The Province makes millions from growing liquor sales. And who knows how much they pocket through their proliferation of gambling. But at least they share more of the profits than did the criminals who controlled both trades prior to big brother's taking over the business.
Meanwhile, the City decides that since they can't beat prostitution, they'll at least get some licensing revenue from massage parlours and escort services. No wonder they're still nattering about a “red light zone.” Just think of the revenue from licensing, just imagine the potential for tourism.
If someone concocted a pill with all the carcinogenic ingredients of cigarettes, Health Canada wouldn't allow its production or distribution - let alone consumption in public places. But, at least for now, government contents itself with hikes in “sin taxes” and ugly pictures on the packaging.
Government lowers the age of consent for sex and the Courts expand the boundaries of “artistic” sexual expression. Schools install condom vending machines and instruct students in sexual techniques.
These are just a few examples of the “If you can't beat 'em, stop fighting 'em” philosophy.
Playing games with laws doesn't change reality. I figure any adult who gets sexual with a 13 year old is still a child molester - no matter what the law says about age of consent or freedom of expression.
According to my critic, today's war on drugs is a re-run of the failed policy of Prohibition in the 1920's. As if everyone lived “happily ever after” Prohibition ended. Not in my neighbourhood! Ending Prohibition stopped problems with criminal distribution while creating more problems with legal consumption.
Legalizing a substance doesn't necessarily reduce costs. A recent study obtained from the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba calculated the total Canadian social and health costs of three substances - alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.
The costs related to use and abuse of alcohol in Canada were calculated at 7.5 billion dollars annually, or 41% of the total. Tobacco costs are in the range of 9.5 billion, or 51% of the total. Illicit drugs, surprisingly, cost Canadians only 1.3 billion dollars, or 7% of the total.
Go figure! The most “costly” substances are the two which are most affordable and accessible - and totally legal.
I'm not advocating a return to Prohibition for alcohol. I just think we have enough problems in our neighbourhood with legal mind-altering substances. The last thing we need is more stuff thrown into the craziness.
Rev. Harry Lehotsky
514 Maryland Street
Winnipeg, Mb R3G 1M5
(204) 775-4929
lehotsky@escape.ca