This is a transcript from a recent town hall meeting I was invited to speak at here in Overgaard"
I'd like to start this meeting off with a bang and come right out with what I came here to say to all you kind folks in attendance this evening. I'd like to propose that the government legalize drugs in the United States.
Uncomfortable silence from the crowd.
Let me be very clear, I am in no way condoning nor encouraging drug use, but it's high time, no pun intended, that we admit that there is no way of winning the so called "war on drugs". It's just not going to happen.
Angry murmurs and squeaks from shifting chairs at the back of the auditorium.
A number of countries have decided to decriminalize drugs in an effort to ease prison populations and to free up police forces for more pressing problems such as violent crime. Take Portugal for instance"They raised the hackles of fellow European nations in 2001, after announcing they were decriminalizing the use and possession of all drugs, including cocaine and heroin. Many thought the Portuguese had simply gone mad. What the hell were they possibly thinking? Police officers were ordered not to arrest anyone seen taking any type of drug.
A woman in the audience faints dead away.
As you can imagine, there was widespread criticism brought down on Portugal throughout the world. Conservative politicians called the measures "pure lunacy" and predicted that Portuguese towns would soon be inundated by scores of drug users from all over the world. But after all the initial hubbub blew over and time passed by, the program has not only worked, but worked brilliantly. Drug trafficking and drug-related malfeasance like sexually-transmitted diseases and overdoses are well down from pre-decriminalization levels. And as for the "drug tourism" threat that many had predicted"95% of those cited for drugs have been Portuguese. It is important to add here that in Portugal, drugs aren't actually "legal". Those caught with drugs and drug paraphernalia are cited and sent to "dissuasion commissions" rather than being sent before a judge in an actual courtroom. These dissuasion commissions are comprised of psychiatrists, social workers, and legal advisors which aim to stem recreational use before it becomes an addiction. The commissions have the power to levy community service sentences or fines, but more often than not, choose to assign treatment plans.
This ain't Portugal buddy.
No sir it isn't, and thankfully we don't have any problems with drug use here in America do we? Fortunately, the greater Heber-Overgaard area is totally meth-free.
Snide snickers from the crowd.
In all honesty, the plan I'm proposing is altogether different from the one in Portugal or the one recently initiated in Mexico, in which "party doses" or small amounts of various drugs for personal use (including cocaine and heroin) have recently been decriminalized. I think we need to take things a step further. We need to skip decriminalization and legalize drugs. All drugs.
You're crazy!
Perhaps sir, but what have we really gained from the war on drugs? Full capacity prisons? And I'm not talking here about hardened criminals like underworld thugs and multi-million dollar dealers (they don't get caught anyway). I'm talking about recreational users.
I have a question.
Great, let me finish up my monologue here and I'll open up the floor to comments. Like I was saying"Drugs need to be legalized and this is why"We all know that drugs are harmful and addictive. I'm not here to argue these points. They're very valid concerns. Legalizing drugs isn't going to dreamily make problems associated with addiction and irresponsibility go away. Did prohibition stop people from drinking? Of course not. Are there thousands of people in America hooked on legal prescription drugs? You bet. So here's my long awaited plan"We legalize drugs for those over 18 years of age. Sure there's always the chance initially that we see a spike in usage as people in this country are always wont to jump on the fad wagon. But in time, things will even out as far as usage goes and become similar to alcohol use, which is problematic, but surely tolerated by society judging by all the ads on television. And since drugs are now legal, domestic farmers and small businessmen and women will take the reins out of the hands of the dealers and cartels, which will become totally obsolete. The drugs will be inspected for quality and overseen by the FDA or USDA or some such inept entity. Drug prices will drop and also become much safer. Street crime will obviously diminish as gangs will be losing their bread and butter so to speak. Think about all those troublesome Mexican cartels running amok and unchecked south of the border"If drugs are legal here, they'll have virtually nowhere to sell their product. After all, it isn't the Mexicans buying all that dope from the cartels"It's the Americans. Lastly, the government, being the government will of course levy new taxes on the drugs. Most likely excise taxes, known better as sin taxes, which are currently levied on booze and cigs. A portion of this new found tax revenue can be used on education and rehabilitation. What do you think?
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