Should street drugs be legalized/

To all concerned:

Society has a stigma towards anyone who has a drug problem.  When I grew up it was mental illnes; now it is drugs.

[TimH2]

Other than pot....NO, narcotics should not be legalized IMO. There are many of us addicted because of legit pain and then start to abuse. If you are shooting street drugs, then I guess society would have a stigma towards it. Drug addiction and mental illness can go hand in hand.

[Savas]

We go back and forth on this here every now and again. I don't think it would make any difference in terms of number of addicts. It would cost the government a lot of money in seizures and arrests and the like. That's a big industry for them.

[Amphora]

Your question reminds me of this country's prohibition era -- a resounding failure, to say the least!  IMO, using "street drugs" should be decriminalized, but not pushing/selling them.  Those with an addiction -- who are sincere about getting and staying clean -- should have access, regardless of income, to an effective treatment program (just as I believe access to competent health care should be an inalienable right, not the 'privilege' it is today for those fortunate enough to have decent health insurance).  In addition, I think physicians need to be a lot more circumspect/ cautious about prescribing narcotic painkillers (my sense is the medical community IS becoming aware of just how many legally prescribed synthetic opiates are being "diverted"; that's why hydro will probably become Class II next year -- paper scripts only; no more call-ins to the pharmacy).  I know two people who were sent home after fairly minor surgeries with TONS of hydro.  Neither ever took a single tab, because their post-op pain wasn't severe.  I was still in active addiction, so every tab found its way to...me!!  Addict behavior, plain and simple.  Anyway, my 2 cents' worth.  Mike