Drug Decriminalization

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

possesion of small amounts of drugs have been decriminalized in colombia and perhaps portugal. i personally think this is good and latin america is headed in that direction. america is making too much money in the prison industry. i think the war on drugs is racist and misguided. anyone planning a trip to colombia? i've started my internet research. thoughts?

How does america makew money off illegal drugs? Also explain how its racist?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

How does america makew money off illegal drugs? Also explain how its racist?

There is quite a bit of corruption in local politics and law enforcement. They often make a killing. Big bucks in the black market.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

How does america makew money off illegal drugs? Also explain how its racist?

I have a family with serious addiction issues so I'll take a stab at this although I am no expert.

The prison industry is huge. We spend millions housing 'criminals' who are really addicts while providing no treatment for them and doing nothing to help decrease the recidivism rate.

Also the issues of race are obvious to anyone who has ever been in a prison, jail or juvenile detention center. There is a vastly disproportionate minority population incarcerated. Not because minorities commit more crimes but because they are arrested more often, they have fewer resources for defense, and receive harsher sentences.

I'll just start with that right off the top of my head.

BTW, I am for decriminalization of marijuana. I am not for decriminalization of of other drugs. As a medical professional I am fearful of just what kinds of mistakes can be made with chemicals that can lead to death of disability. However I do think that all first time drug arrests should lead to education about and treatment of addiction rather than criminal penalties.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I have a family with serious addiction issues so I'll take a stab at this although I am no expert.

The prison industry is huge. We spend millions housing 'criminals' who are really addicts while providing no treatment for them and doing nothing to help decrease the recidivism rate.

Also the issues of race are obvious to anyone who has ever been in a prison, jail or juvenile detention center. There is a vastly disproportionate minority population incarcerated. Not because minorities commit more crimes but because they are arrested more often, they have fewer resources for defense, and receive harsher sentences.

I'll just start with that right off the top of my head.

BTW, I am for decriminalization of marijuana. I am not for decriminalization of of other drugs. As a medical professional I am fearful of just what kinds of mistakes can be made with chemicals that can lead to death of disability. However I do think that all first time drug arrests should lead to education about and treatment of addiction rather than criminal penalties.

Oh... c'mon... we know there isn't any disproportionate number of incarcerated minorities. And we know they get the best public defenders tax payer money can buy. There isn't a single problem here. And treatment??? C'mon... they just need to be locked up and get it together. Rigggghhhhht?








If you can't tell... I fully agree with you.

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

How does america makew money off illegal drugs? Also explain how its racist?

titus2woman covered it pretty well. huge contracts go into feeding and housing criminals. more fines, lawyers fees and court costs. it actually costs america more money and is a burden to the system than to have rehab programs. blacks use more crack and whites use more cocaine, but the penalties for crack are greater than for cocaine even though it is same drug. more minorities are targeted for drug possesion than whites living in affluent neighborhoods even though usage percentages may be the same. studies have been shown to prove this. even conservatives like george will favor decriminalization because it costs the state too much, but the prison contracts are raking in big bucks. more minorities with felonies means less voters and less job opportunities keeping non violent minorities oppressed.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

titus2woman covered it pretty well. huge contracts go into feeding and housing criminals. more fines, lawyers fees and court costs. it actually costs america more money and is a burden to the system than to have rehab programs. blacks use more crack and whites use more cocaine, but the penalties for crack are greater than for cocaine even though it is same drug. more minorities are targeted for drug possesion than whites living in affluent neighborhoods even though usage percentages may be the same. studies have been shown to prove this. even conservatives like george will favor decriminalization because it costs the state too much, but the prison contracts are raking in big bucks. more minorities with felonies means less voters and less job opportunities keeping non violent minorities oppressed.

So the gov doesn't want to decrease prisons because it cost so much, prisons have pull to keep them open? When a robbery is reported in my area seems like 90% of suspects are minorities. I don't know of one minority that didn't want to make it or do right that didn't.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

So the gov doesn't want to decrease prisons because it cost so much, prisons have pull to keep them open? When a robbery is reported in my area seems like 90% of suspects are minorities. I don't know of one minority that didn't want to make it or do right that didn't.

I am really not sure what to say to this... although it's easy to say that someone who really wants to make it will and make it sound like fact it is a fallacy.

60 minutes did a show several years back. In it they filmed two college friends who were from nearly identical backgrounds and had similar educations. Both were attractive, the same age, height/weight proportionate, etc. Both were intelligent and articulate. Difference: one black, one white.

They secretly filmed themselves applying for jobs, trying to find housing and shopping. Time after time the black man was told that an apartment was already rented, a position already filled etc. and the white fellow following behind him was offered shelter and employment. More than once the white fellow was offered help when shopping and the black man was ignored or worse yet followed around as if he were going to steal something.

As a person who always believed that 'anyone who wants to can make it' I was horrified... and still am. I am not sure what you consider 'wanting to make it' but I believe that most people, not able to house themselves or feed their families would be inclined to consider crime as an alternative. And many people who have 'made it' have not always been angelic... they just were not caught.

Very grey...

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I am really not sure what to say to this... although it's easy to say that someone who really wants to make it will and make it sound like fact it is a fallacy.

60 minutes did a show several years back. In it they filmed two college friends who were from nearly identical backgrounds and had similar educations. Both were attractive, the same age, height/weight proportionate, etc. Both were intelligent and articulate. Difference: one black, one white.

They secretly filmed themselves applying for jobs, trying to find housing and shopping. Time after time the black man was told that an apartment was already rented, a position already filled etc. and the white fellow following behind him was offered shelter and employment. More than once the white fellow was offered help when shopping and the black man was ignored or worse yet followed around as if he were going to steal something.

As a person who always believed that 'anyone who wants to can make it' I was horrified... and still am. I am not sure what you consider 'wanting to make it' but I believe that most people, not able to house themselves or feed their families would be inclined to consider crime as an alternative. And many people who have 'made it' have not always been angelic... they just were not caught.

Very grey...

I did say "I don't know of one" as in my experience. Didn't mean there are no issues. I know about housing discrimination myself, because we are a interacial couple were denied housing. My point is that even with issues every minority I know with character and drive has done well. Many people real issues are lifestyle choices and stronholds of the mind.

I wonder for those who say prison is racism believe we should let a robber off the hook if they are minority? Many use race as cop out for behavoir when many times its there lifestyle that is the main problem.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I am really not sure what to say to this... although it's easy to say that someone who really wants to make it will and make it sound like fact it is a fallacy.

60 minutes did a show several years back. In it they filmed two college friends who were from nearly identical backgrounds and had similar educations. Both were attractive, the same age, height/weight proportionate, etc. Both were intelligent and articulate. Difference: one black, one white.

They secretly filmed themselves applying for jobs, trying to find housing and shopping. Time after time the black man was told that an apartment was already rented, a position already filled etc. and the white fellow following behind him was offered shelter and employment. More than once the white fellow was offered help when shopping and the black man was ignored or worse yet followed around as if he were going to steal something.

As a person who always believed that 'anyone who wants to can make it' I was horrified... and still am. I am not sure what you consider 'wanting to make it' but I believe that most people, not able to house themselves or feed their families would be inclined to consider crime as an alternative. And many people who have 'made it' have not always been angelic... they just were not caught.

Very grey...

I think I saw that 60 minutes. It was eye opening.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I am really not sure what to say to this... although it's easy to say that someone who really wants to make it will and make it sound like fact it is a fallacy.

60 minutes did a show several years back. In it they filmed two college friends who were from nearly identical backgrounds and had similar educations. Both were attractive, the same age, height/weight proportionate, etc. Both were intelligent and articulate. Difference: one black, one white.

They secretly filmed themselves applying for jobs, trying to find housing and shopping. Time after time the black man was told that an apartment was already rented, a position already filled etc. and the white fellow following behind him was offered shelter and employment. More than once the white fellow was offered help when shopping and the black man was ignored or worse yet followed around as if he were going to steal something.

As a person who always believed that 'anyone who wants to can make it' I was horrified... and still am. I am not sure what you consider 'wanting to make it' but I believe that most people, not able to house themselves or feed their families would be inclined to consider crime as an alternative. And many people who have 'made it' have not always been angelic... they just were not caught.

Very grey...

Everyone knows this stuff isn't real, the affects aren't real and in fact, thei stuff doesn't even happen any more.

It was all staged and we all know it!


(yeah right...)