I realize that for most, I am considered an old fuddy duddy with old, passe views on things. I do not condone lying, I am against marriage or civil unions for other than a man or a woman...I just found out that I was against transexuals and transgenders having those same rights as well. I am for fingerprinting and doing whatever it takes to eliminate fraud in any government give away program.

I say all of this because I just found yet another social program I oppose.....this is a quote from an article written (very well I might add) concerning the administrations view or wanna be view on drugs....

"What Kerlikowske said he wants is a “third way,” as he calls the White House’s new plan–a transformation of law enforcement’s role in U.S. drug policy, and a shift from viewing drug addiction as a moral crime to viewing it as a treatable disease."

Obama’s Drug Czar Stumps for ‘Third Way’ Policy - ABC News

Not exactly sure what it means, but does it mean no more criminal offense....government intervention in treatment. Are there not a bunch of treatment centers all over the country

"Kerlikowske’s appointment and confirmation in 2009 elicited cautious optimism from marijuana-legalization advocates in particular"

I really am not unsympathetic, but when does personal discipline enter into anything anymore ?

Drug addiction is a treatable disease just like alcohol addiction is a treatable disease. Both are extremely hard to overcome.

Ask Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck if they are criminals or if the addictions are treatable diseases. They are wealthy enough to afford the Betty Ford Clinic. Oh yes, was Betty Ford a criminal for her addiction? Didn't these people have personal discipline?

For all the drug and alcohol addicts "on the street", not many will get into rehab programs. First, it is hard to find one accepting new patients; second, the addict really has to want to be in rehab; and third, is the cost.

We see the rich and famous like Limbaugh, Beck, Sheen, and Lohan all going to Betty Ford Clinic and in a short time, some will be right back doing the drugs and alcohol.

No, Bucco, you are not a fuddy duddy. You have morals and that is very good. It is not right to re-write laws that would decriminalize drugs or marijuana. You do have to understand the pain that addicts go through and that some - not many - will make it to be clean and sober and to stay that way.

Originally Posted by buggyone

Drug addiction is a treatable disease just like alcohol addiction is a treatable disease. Both are extremely hard to overcome.

Ask Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck if they are criminals or if the addictions are treatable diseases. They are wealthy enough to afford the Betty Ford Clinic. Oh yes, was Betty Ford a criminal for her addiction? Didn't these people have personal discipline?

For all the drug and alcohol addicts "on the street", not many will get into rehab programs. First, it is hard to find one accepting new patients; second, the addict really has to want to be in rehab; and third, is the cost.

We see the rich and famous like Limbaugh, Beck, Sheen, and Lohan all going to Betty Ford Clinic and in a short time, some will be right back doing the drugs and alcohol.

No, Bucco, you are not a fuddy duddy. You have morals and that is very good. It is not right to re-write laws that would decriminalize drugs or marijuana. You do have to understand the pain that addicts go through and that some - not many - will make it to be clean and sober and to stay that way.

Not in any way do I lack the understanding.

But just another program designed to take money from the government and replace the old self discipline. I am not unsympathetic but to replace the war on drugs, actually it appears to decriminalize it, and make it something we should feel sorry for is not the way to go in my opinion.

Prohibition has not worked as far back as we can trace its use – even in the Garden of Eden. Eve just couldn’t resist that apple when it was the only thing forbidden to her. We know prohibition doesn’t work from our own experience growing up and raising our own children. Think of the number of things prohibited – cutting school, speeding, drag racing and even sex. You can expand the list to the extent your heart and memory allow.

Our ban on marijuana is causing this country immense amount of money, creating violence on a level never seen before in this country, ruining innocent lives and destroying our neighbor to the south, Mexico.

As a result of our prohibition, the United States has one of the highest rates of usage of marijuana in the world. Going Dutch: Teen Marijuana Use in the US vs. Netherlands — the Full Interview with Cal Professor Robert MacCoun | Legalization Nation

Perhaps we should learn from the Dutch and allow legal sale of marijuana to adults and legal cultivation of it in this country. We do much better with alcohol than we do with marijuana.

The potential positive effects of this are:
1 Lower usage of marijuana especially among young people.
2 Imprisonment of fewer people.
3 Reduced strain on law enforcement and the prison system.
4 Less exposure of people to other drugs.
5 Reduced income to street gangs and consequent lower ability to recruit new members and lower crime levels.
6 Drastic reduction of Mexican drug cartel income and influence.

Originally Posted by BBQMan

Prohibition has not worked as far back as we can trace its use – even in the Garden of Eden. Eve just couldn’t resist that apple when it was the only thing forbidden to her. We know prohibition doesn’t work from our own experience growing up and raising our own children. Think of the number of things prohibited – cutting school, speeding, drag racing and even sex. You can expand the list to the extent your heart and memory allow.

Our ban on marijuana is causing this country immense amount of money, creating violence on a level never seen before in this country, ruining innocent lives and destroying our neighbor to the south, Mexico.

As a result of our prohibition, the United States has one of the highest rates of usage of marijuana in the world. Going Dutch: Teen Marijuana Use in the US vs. Netherlands — the Full Interview with Cal Professor Robert MacCoun | Legalization Nation

Perhaps we should learn from the Dutch and allow legal sale of marijuana to adults and legal cultivation of it in this country. We do much better with alcohol than we do with marijuana.

The potential positive effects of this are:
1 Lower usage of marijuana especially among young people.
2 Imprisonment of fewer people.
3 Reduced strain on law enforcement and the prison system.
4 Less exposure of people to other drugs.
5 Reduced income to street gangs and consequent lower ability to recruit new members and lower crime levels.
6 Drastic reduction of Mexican drug cartel income and influence.

My understanding is that this new policy is not JUST about marijuana but all drugs, including cocaine ! At least that is what I am reading

Not a pot smoker and never was, BUT I have never understood how alcohol is legal while pot is not. That is where I would draw the line tho, with marijuana. As far as personal discipline or accountability for anything in this country? That may be a thing of the past. There is always a reason, other than oneself, for doing what is prohibited...it is so much easier that way. Cannot change what is not your fault. How sad

Originally Posted by BBQMan

Prohibition has not worked as far back as we can trace its use – even in the Garden of Eden. Our ban on marijuana is causing this country immense amount of money, creating violence on a level never seen before in this country, ruining innocent lives and destroying our neighbor to the south, Mexico.

Perhaps we should learn from the Dutch and allow legal sale of marijuana to adults and legal cultivation of it in this country. We do much better with alcohol than we do with marijuana.

The potential positive effects of this are:
1 Lower usage of marijuana especially among young people.
2 Imprisonment of fewer people.
3 Reduced strain on law enforcement and the prison system.
4 Less exposure of people to other drugs.
5 Reduced income to street gangs and consequent lower ability to recruit new members and lower crime levels.
6 Drastic reduction of Mexican drug cartel income and influence.

If the Government legalized and sold marijuana, the funds could be used for free health care for all. Better than Drug Cartels getting rich. In my humble opinion, of course.