Wall Street Journal
Nearly three years into an experiment that proponents hoped would spark a nationwide relaxation of drug laws, many in Oregon have turned against the decriminalization initiative known as Measure 110, which passed with 58% support in 2020.
People sprawled on sidewalks and using fentanyl with no fear of consequence have become a common sight in cities such as Eugene and Portland. Business owners and local leaders are upset, but so are liberal voters who hoped decriminalization would lead to more people getting help. In reality, few drug users are taking advantage of new state-funded rehabilitation programs. More
Duh, what else did they expect. There’s a reason that they call it dope because it makes you stupid.
Yes, the 13 years of alcohol prohibition were so crime-free, as has been the past 100+ years of the war on drugs. LOL. First, you either own your own body and can do with it what you wish (and of course face the consequences of your actions), or you are the property of the state (ie. a slave). There are NO two ways about that. The fact that the socialists in Oregon and elsewhere choose to STEAL from society to subsidize the behaviors of those who wish to alter their reality IS THE CRIME, not the RE-legalization of freedom (yes, ALL DRUGS were once legal in this country). Drug use is a SYMPTOM of our severely damaged society, NOT the cause. So many on BOTH sides of the aisle willfully choose to ignore and deny that truth. The war on drugs has been used as a war on cash, freedom, gun ownership, privacy, and so, so much more. To support it still is to support government tyranny. Utopia is NOT to be found, but freedom is far superior to tyranny and government ownership of the population. And to be clear to those who simply wish to selectively pick counter arguments – I fully believe in 100% accountability for one’s actions, 100% accountability for one’s choices in life, WITHOUT having the government violate the rights and property of others to compensate for the poor life choices of others.
Let the weak minded cull themselves. Saves resources for people who have something to offer the human race.
They need accidentally stronger fentanyl to reduce the surplus population. Wonder why the population reductionists don’t see to it.
@MrLiberty — Very well said. Full agreement here.
How many states have legalized marijuana when there is ample evidence it does more harm than good?
@Anon 12:03 — Utilitarian arguments do not refute principled positions.
When I leave the parking garage on my way home from work, if there is so much as one single pothead leaving the pot shop sitting at the stop sign I make a left and go up the alley to the next street instead of sitting behind the brain numbed assholes until their half mile minimum gap acceptance opens up so they can make a left turn. For Christ’s sake, someone please offer free home delivery and take it to them so they don’t have to ever leave their video game console.
There is no hope for Portland. Too many taxpaying job creators have been run off. Crazies and druggies have moved in, many have been elected. Education, the media, Law, and every level of government support the lowlifes. Those who vote for a living outnumber those who work for a living. There is no hope for Portland.
Anonymoose- When you throw in those that work parasitically off the rest of us (government employees), AND those whose only job is voting for government to also steal for them, the productive voluntary sector of society is very outnumbered.
In my opinion, law enforcement is a necessary component in making drug abuse uncomfortable enough for the addict that he or she has the incentive to change behavior, especially before they end up dead or permanently incapacitated. Because society pays a high price for those addicted to drugs, the state has a responsibility to intervene and make living on the street and destroying whole communities untenable.
Sure, intoxicate yourself to oblivion, but live on the street and make a public nuisance of yourself is not in the community’s interest or in the interest of the substance abuser.