Those are just the numbers of people who are killed from using the drugs. How many innocents are killed for drug related incidents (that doesn't involve the WOD)? That statistic doesn't show a person that is shot in the face to get fifty bucks from their wallet to support their addiction. The effects of drug use is vast and far reaching.

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A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

That latter consequence is one of prohibition, not drug addiction. Alcohol is one of the most addictive substances known to man and the withdrawal from it can kill the addict. Alcohol also creates delusional, paranoid behavior in addicts and will enhance natural propensities for violence. Yet, you don't hear about people being robbed for booze money.

The reason for that is that a street beggar can make enough begging to support his habit. His counterpart, addicted to crack or heroin cannot, and the reason he cannot is prohibition.

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

FJ seems rather firm in his position.

All the evidence we present appears to be in vain. At least he is a courteous poster and is willing to read the evidence, so I still like the guy.

One last piece, as I am running out of gas.

In Staten Island, they had a big bust a few months ago which led to this story.........

On Staten Island, prescription drug abuse a teen epidemic

At first glance, the numbers seem jarring - 21,000 prescription painkillers put into the hands of teens and young adults, bought and sold by a makeshift cabal of nearly two dozen Staten Islanders, most in their early 20s.

But as the borough's law enforcement and health professionals tell it, last week's 23 arrests represent just the tip of a problem plaguing the borough's youth culture - teenagers and young adults across the Island experimenting with high-powered prescription drugs like Xanax, OxyContin and Vicodin, with often tragic and deadly results.

"It's widespread. It's a growing trend of recreational use mixed with drinking alcohol. It's highly addictive," says Luke Nasta, the executive director of Camelot Counseling Centers, who has seen a "gradual, steady increase" of teens coming in for prescription drug addiction over the past five years.

Now, he says, the majority of his center's teen clients are being treated for prescription drug abuse.

The 23 people arrested last week were particularly organized, says District Attorney Daniel Donovan, with the group's ringleader keeping track of when the other members of the circle could fill out their next prescription. Using a stolen prescription pad, they filled out 108 forged prescriptions for oxycodone at 14 different pharmacies, he says.

A single prescription can mean as many as 360 pills, Donovan says, "and a month later, you could buy another 360 pills again."

Still, he said, most abusers don't have to go to those lengths - "Right out of mom and dad's medicine cabinet is the easiest way," Donovan says. All too often, he adds, recreational abuse leads to addiction, further criminal acts, and tragedy.

Last June, a 17- and 16-year-old boyfriend-girlfriend team went on a burglary and robbery spree on the South Shore, telling police after they were caught they were stealing jewelry so they could buy "Xanax and beer." Both ended up serving time in state prison.

Teens frequently go "car-hopping," searching for unlocked cars to pillage, then sell whatever valuables they find inside so they can buy prescription drugs, Donovan says.

On Staten Island, prescription drug abuse a teen epidemic - SILive.com

The WAR ON DRUGS is doing a great job.

Teens are using fewer illegal drugs and are now getting hooked on prescription drugs instead.

Yes, the war on drugs is working well indeed. Now the pharmaceutical companies can make profit off the nation's drug problem.

Well done US government! Way to help out the drug companies to make money off the illicit drug problem. Congratulations for a job well done.

Well said. I wish more people would realize the difference between deaths caused by drugs and deaths caused by the war on drugs.

That DOES INVOLVE THE WOD. If there was no prohibition, the price of drugs would be very, very cheap. At least it would be very cheap in a free market situation. The war on drugs causes several times more pain and suffering than the drugs alone could ever cause. How can you not get that?

Yay! you like me!!

You ain't shabby yourself (one last try) ****GENERAL WELFARE****

I guess we are at the agree to disagree part. I will say one thing I agree with you on, the WOD is not working. We just have a difference of an opinion on what that means. You think it can't work and I think we need to find better methods. I have suggested a few things.

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A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

If Hemp could help my Children in any way, no laws of man could stop me from getting it for them. What if your child was emaciated from the affects of chemo....couldn't keep any food down...was going to die if they couldn't keep any weight on. Would you just watch them die? Would you look them in the eyes and tell them "if only it wasn't illegal, honey, but it is so I'm afraid I'm going to have to continue my journey without you "..? What would you do?

You're purposefully misconstruing my question. I think it was fairly obvious that it wasn't in the context of medical treatment. Just to make it more obvious though.

Would you give marijuana for purely recreational purposes to your child, of any age, or another child if it was legal?

Please don't be dishonest replying to my post again. Thank you.

__________________
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

Well, I thank you for the courteous discussion.

I again apologize for my childish behavior to you, to everyone, even Steve.

I believe I have posted all of my arguments, so I don't have a lot more to say. I will ATTEMPT to sit back and watch.

keyword there was ATTEMPT, in case anyone missed it.

What? You are crossing a line here FJ.
Your question was:
Just where in that sentence do you see anything that gives a clue as to the context you were referring to?
Did you want to start insulting each other again? Because from where I'm sitting, it is you who is trying to dishonestly manipulate the conversation by telling me, not just insinuating, but telling me that I'm being dishonest. May I suggest that you think as you type so you wont forget what you just wrote. That was you can avoid insulting other posters and making an ass of yourself.

Oh yeah...great...Leave me here to fend for myself....

So you think you can just sit back and observe without commenting?....we will see...

Please continue to dodge and be purposefully obtuse. I think most people would have read that and understood what I was getting at. And yet you still won't answer the question. Then you try and blow something out of proportion about me insulting you. I stand by my statement that you were being dishonest with you reply.

__________________
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

FJ,
Whatever. I give up on you.

Rgr, I will assume that you would not give marijuana to your young kids or some other kids (if they weren't illegal) because you wouldn't want kids doing something that's harmful. I got it.

__________________
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

What happened to individual liberty and our Ninth Amendment?

I wouldn't have a problem giving some adolescent girl some pot if she had menstrual cramps, and I didn't have anything else for the discomfort.

I view that type of moral behavior to be no worse than giving an adolescent some wine or beer with their food.