Time to draw the line on cocaine

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2009/jul/23/cocaine

If cocaine was legal, I wouldn't mind how much of it you stuffed up your nose. It might turn you into an egocentric tosser, but that's your problem (and your partner's). Nor is it the drug's illegality that bothers me. There is no automatic equation of legality and morality. Plenty of legal activities are immoral (selling derivatives, shutting down post offices, presenting Top Gear) and plenty of illegal ones (sabotaging bomber planes, throwing green custard at Peter Mandelson) are highly moral.

We could argue about whether or not it should be legalised. As the World Health Organisation has shown, the occasional use of pure cocaine causes hardly any physical or social problems. But buying it cut with Ajax from the local pusher can get you into all sorts of trouble. The illegal use of cocaine hurts people in the UK not because it is cocaine but because it is illegal. As I showed in a recent column, there is just one respectable argument against global legalisation: it would open up markets in poorer nations that are less able to cope with the consequences of addiction.

But we are where we are, and right now people's enthusiasm for cocaine is a humanitarian and environmental disaster. The cocaine business as currently constituted is the most immoral trade on Earth. By participating in it, you directly commission murder, torture, displacement and deforestation. According to the Colombian government (not, admittedly, the most trustworthy source on such matters) every gram of cocaine you take destroys four square metres of rainforest. The trade gives that government the excuse to wage an unending war against the peasantry, which is also caught between rightwing paramilitaries and leftwing guerillas, both of which make their money from powder. You might think it's daring and subversive to snort a line or two, but the real risk is run by people thousands of miles from here. You can choose whether or not to participate. They can't.

[paulsby]

1. those are excellent point

fwiw, i am against the drug war. many of my fellow cops are too. even moreso in regards to mj specifically. however, the cocaine trade IS a trade that involves massive amounts of human suffering, not to mention the suffering of mother earth. people who studiously avoid (for example) clothes made in sweatshops and stuff think nothing of engaging in the cocaine trade.

[the other one]

2. Drug war apologist bullshit.

End the drug war and the violence will end too.

[Oldenuff]

3. The trouble with this argument is:

Any time you make a substance illegal,there will be those who will continue to use.This continues the smuggling and dealing of the substance,which leads to huge profits for those who will take the risk.

I hate to say it is like any other business,but it is.Most enterprising businessmen and women will seek out a market if there is one.If the demand falls,it is a simple endeavor for those who provide these substances to create a market.They don't care if it's white collar people or inner city school kids.A market is a market to them,and they could care less who will suffer.

So,do we (as a nation) turn a blind eye to this reality,or deal with it as intelligent people?Providing the drugs that people want,with an eye to safety with regard to potency and purity will do wonders for the health issues.All the while,a viable option for "no blame" drug addiction treatment would be a better option to me.

I am of the opinion that there are very rich and influential people involved in drug smuggling,as well as money laundering....It'd be nice to see them in the unemployment line.

Do I think it is likely that we will ever see this issue dealt with rationally?I seriously doubt it,there are too many "very rich and influential people" involved.

[formercia]

4. Methamphetamine addiction

one of the results of people not being able to afford cocaine.

Meth destroys whole communities.

[formercia]

5. The people who formed Skull and Bones

made their fortunes in the Chinese Opium trade.

[LeftishBrit]

6. A couple of very good points here

(1) The drug war causes and exacerbates enormous abuses of human rights in this world. One strong reason for ending it!!!

(2) As long as it's illegal, those who use cocaine are contributing to the abuses. Some may not care, and/or think it's just the fault of the people who made drugs illegal (which is to a degree true). But if you're the sort of person who boycotts unethical products, it's a bit hypocritical not to boycott cocaine.

[bemildred]

7. This is why regulation is better than prohibition, dimwit. nt