Help People and Save Billions?

[WeWantAnswers]

The Guardian reckons that by decriminalising personal use of drugs (and possession for that purpose) we could save £15bn each year. Obviously this figure won't be bang on, we can only estimate, but the government has a £60bn deficit (ONS, March) so economically this makes sense. Besides, isn't it better to help drug users get better than to spend a fortune locking them up? It helped Portugal out a lot, it just seems a little too obvious to me, am I missing something...

 

[Fez909]

Some people really dislike drugs. Druggies are less likely to vote. People who dislike druggies might switch their vote away from a candidate who says they want to legalise drugs. It's in a politician's interest to avoid this topic if they want to maximise their chances of being [re]elected.

I reckon that's basically the problem.

 

[WeWantAnswers]

Some people really dislike drugs. Druggies are less likely to vote. People who dislike druggies might switch their vote away from a candidate who says they want to legalise drugs. It's in a politician's interest to avoid this topic if they want to maximise their chances of being [re]elected.

That would make sense. After all, I can't think of any other reason why not, and Portugal was in an absolutely dire state. Advertising the savings might be the only way to get this in place.

 

[Cloo]

Yeah, the 'drugs are bad' crew will never let it happen, despite it totally making sense - bringing in income, saving money and huge amounts of police time and prison costs.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Full legalisation, flogging unadulterated products that are taxed would mean cheaper products that are not laced with unknown shit that can kill. Reckon that is something the Johnson regime could be tempted to go for once they see how well Brexit is going for them early next year...

 

[pogofish]

am I missing something...

All the other threads discussing this, maybe..?

 

[NoXion]

Yeah, the 'drugs are bad' crew will never let it happen, despite it totally making sense - bringing in income, saving money and huge amounts of police time and prison costs.

I think the political influence of that crew is on the wane. There will come a point when they no longer powerful enough to stymie the kind of legislation that we've already seen happen in some countries.