Words simply fail me-

[mousepod]

Hmmm. This issue is pretty close to me for several reasons (that I don't need to articulate here). Lots of good points being made here.

From a purely gut level, I agree with GD. However, the idea that "legalizing it" will fix all of the problems is probably a little too "pie in the sky" for me.

Let's look at one problem with methadone clinics:
Since methadone clinics are funded by the government, and their budget is determined by the number of clients, there is an inherent disincentive to getting the junkies to kick. (I'm setting aside the fact that methadone is a bad, bad thing)
I, for one, would not be in favor of the government growing or selling any of this stuff, because all it does is allow for the possibility of the drug trade going to the hands of government profiteers instead of black market profiteers.

Since I moved to SF, I've become a supporter of the medical marijuana clubs (at least with my vote). If the federal gov would just leave it alone, it seems like this is a model that would work best.

I understand that Neph's reaction raises hackles (I, for one, have to get over the way she phrases her arguments and look at what she's trying to say), but to be honest, her attitude is probably in the majority. What needs to happen is that America needs to learn how to separate the disease of addiction from the crimes that the disease can lead the addict to committing.

Obviously, I'm in favor of the decriminalization of drug use and possession, because what an adult does to him/herself is none of my business (or the government's business).

The "war on drugs" is obviously not the answer. Setting up the government as dealers probably isn't the answer, either. Let's spend our tax dollars on education. Let's teach people that addiction can be treated. Let's treat addicts by helping them become sober.