Paulos

Sheesh I was just in the chat and I thought about law enforcement... how the government outlaws Marijuana, narcotics, other drugs... yet there's THOUSANDS of liquor stores all over the nation... give me a freaking break...

gantz

well there was prohibition as we all remember from the history books, but that turned into sweetshops and speakeasies. Alcohol became just like the drug wars that exist now. Would outlawing it hamper alcoholism? I really wonder about that sometimes. Muslim nations seem to do well with that law but their punishments are what we would label cruel and unusual in america.

I live in japan where alcohol can be bought anywhere, drank anywhere, and at any time of the day. A high level of alcoholism exists here but the government sweeps it under the rug and ignores like they do many social issues.

Most have an image of this country being full of steady minded workers in kimonos and yukattas and there are certain rural parts where that is still true. But when you live in the heart of gritty osaka you see alcoholism wreak havoc like you wouldnt believe.

tommyk

Is there some reason that people should be able to use alcohol responsibly?

(Just because I have a problem with it is no reason for others to not have it available.)

sugErspun

I haven't seen the laws which prohibit narcotics, marijuana etc do much to keep people from becoming addicts.

The law has little to do with my alcoholism, or recovery from. The problem is ME, not alcohol. Temperance movements have had little affect in slowing down alcoholism - and just drinking alcohol doesn't make one an alcoholic.

endzoner

my hubbie has a problem with eatting sweets . its notta big issue but one tha he blames me for , for having them around , It finally dawned on me something along the lines of what your refurring to . He has some beer in the frig ( its notta problem for me ) But I told him just becuz the ooze is in the house dont mean i gotta drink it , and it should be the same thing for the sweets , was just a thought of my own

doorknob

Marijuana shouldn't be illegal... if alcohol was a new drug, it would be... it's all about money.

Emimily

alcohol being illegal wouldn't have stopped me from drinking it, just like marijuana being illegal didn't stop me from smoking it.

MOST people don't have a problem. the folks we (as alcoholics and addicts) tend to attract are mostly folks that have similar dispositions - either drinkers, users, shoppers, etc. etc. there's a whole world of folks who really do just have one or two. the question for me to look at would be why am i upset about that?

Texasblind

Living here in the southwest and working a lot with the casinos you can also see the ravages alcohol has done to the reservations. It's really sad when the casinos won't even serve their own people.

Snoug

Almost everything that is abused is harmful. I tend to agree thats it not the governments fault on what people Choose to do. I've drank a lot and its my fault no one else.

In your theory food should be outlawed. Because chronic over eating is responsible for shortening lives just as effectively as alcohol.

The fact that marijuana and other dangerous drugs are outlawed is good Its one less thing for people to get addicted to. There is enough drugs out there for people to use we don't need any less or anymore.

The reality is there are people that are responsible enough to limit there drinking to safe levels. Everyone should not be punished for individuals mistakes.

doorknob

Substance's legality should be based on their dangers and their impact on society.

Dee74

we should ban McDonalds Burger King et al. then

D

allport

Now stop this, before you know it we will be left with shops only being able to sell brown rice, orthapedic shoes and organic herbs and stuff.

Ive given up my biggest vice (oh apart from smoking) and I demand high fat food to make me feel better!

On a serious note the government in the UK has something to say on every aspect of our lives, I dont think they will be happy until everyone is a superfit, superhealthy, totally pc, non smoking, teetotaller.

justjo

Why would governments ban any product that they can get taxes (gst)from?? I too think it is all about the money, not people. They cant get taxes from any drugs that are illegal already, now can they.
In my country cigarettes are legal (a great tax builder) but hidden from sight behind the counter with labels saying 'this can kill you' on the packet. They are looking at doing it with alcohol aswell.
I guess at the end of the day, its up to us whether we choose to buy it or not.

CAPTAINZING2000

cough cough snuffing out a smoke. Wonder how many would smoke a cigarette if, it was against the law as well ?

Bout the only thing not bad for you is praying

BackToSquareOne

Marijuana is such a benign drug as compared to alcohol, in my mind I see no reason why it should be illegal. You really can't argue though that the ease of availability does contribute to the rate of abuse. When I drove tractor-trailer cross country a lot of states sold beer in the truck stops. I saw so many guys (including myself) standing around talking or sitting in their trucks sucking down beer that probably wouldn't be doing so if it wasn't so easily available. You could get your truck fueled up and yourself tanked up (drunk) all in one stop.

Dee74

I disagree marijuana is benign compared to anything. My history would argue against you - but that's ok - diff'rent strokes...

yet you're arguing that ease of availability contributes to rates of abuse....but you think pot shouldn't be illegal?

:wtf2



D

Ananda

Kinda got a chuckle....I remember spending alot of time drunk and/or stoned discussing how the world aught to be

BackToSquareOne

Dee, Pot is very benign as compared to alcohol which damages every organ in the body. There is a dichotomy though that ease of availability creates. When you can buy beer everywhere including convenience stores, gas stations, truck stops etc., it just stands to reason that the rate of abuse will be much higher.

BackToSquareOne

It's funny how drugs and alcohol seem to turn us all into the all knowing masters of time and space. There are no problems we can't solve (at least in our own minds) when we are drunk or high enough.

CAPTAINZING2000

Never blacked out or, passed out from pot.

Not going to give it another try to see if, it's possible though