In The News Today...

Quote: JimRockford

The US has been losing the war on drugs for fifty years despite untold millions of dollars spent and now hosting 20% of the worlds prisoners. Yet, when anyone suggests a departure from the losing tactics of more interdiction and incarceration, it is used as political ammo to stir up outrage.

As you probably could have guessed, the HHS harm reduction grant in question does NOT fund crack pipes. But don't let that ruin a good rant.

The thing is free needles and crack pipes does not help the problem. It does ensure needles littering the streets in places like San Francisco and Portland.

This is just more poverty-industrial complex. Someone gets the money to make the crack pipes, and another to distribute them. They get to make their bounty on the backs of addicted users. And some proud Democrats get to call themselves compassionate.

Quote: rxwine

I know some harder drug users can still function in society and even keep a job. But I think that's a small percentage.

Yes, few can pull it off long term.

One of the few I am aware of who has been a lifetime heroin user yet still managed to live a "relatively" normal life is Bill Burroughs, scion of the Burroughs business machine fortune, former contemporary and buddy of Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg.

Here he is in "Drugstore Cowboy," a flick shot in Portland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZszbqdOq7g

Quote: JimRockford

The US has been losing the war on drugs for fifty years despite untold millions of dollars spent and now hosting 20% of the worlds prisoners. Yet, when anyone suggests a departure from the losing tactics of more interdiction and incarceration, it is used as political ammo to stir up outrage.

As you probably could have guessed, the HHS harm reduction grant in question does NOT fund crack pipes. But don't let that ruin a good rant.

According to theories of the rightwing itself -- illegal drugs is capitalism at work. It certainly fits all the parameters. But it's just illegal.

AND According to theories of the rightwing itself --- socialism kills capitalism. So managing the problem legally completely under government should destroy it All the paper pushers and oversight should send it into a death spiral.

Heh.

Why not free dope for the severely addicted? Silly to pay thousands per barrel to burn it. Place the confiscated narcotics next to the paraphernalia and let em have a go. Seattle found out, that if they are going to have free needles, they need to have an exchange of needles, 2 for 1 is better than 1 for 1, if not, the junkies will just flip them with their cigarette butts and then there is a sharps problem along the road where anything can get stuck. At least make them pick up their own needles.

The thing both sides are missing in the overdose (OD) argument is the ODs from legal drugs (the Lionshare), by this I primarily mean prescription drugs and alcohol (though technically caffeine and nicotine can fall into this even if a tiny fringe and very rare). Most people who OD are not criminals, most people are perfectly within the bounds of the law.

The argument especially from physicians, that "we are encouraging criminals to OD by making illegal drug use easier" (paraphrase) misses the point in the OD debate. Most people have zero issue getting prescriptions that they want if they really want them (especially if they have money and connections). And, alcohol, well you can get it at any gas station or grocery store.... So I don't think having safe needle zones is going to have a massive increase in ODs.

The people who are saying ODs continue to rise in their city even after safe needle programs, are they needle related deaths, or just all ODs in general? Because there is a big difference. If prescription ODs and alcohol ODs are shooting up in your City, while needle-related ODs stay stagnant, that says nothing about your needle programs. Now, if just needle related ODs increase that is a different story.

I personally think alcohol is one of the most damaging drugs in existence that makes some people completely useless (at least cocaine addicts are generally hard workers, sometimes too hard, and often in peak physical shape, alcoholics are the polar opposite), so if alcohol is legal, I see very few reasons in criminalizing less harmful (and less addictive) drugs.

Quote: SOOPOO

In other news, Cori Bush is still touting ‘defund the police’ blather. I am embarrassed there is a constituency that will elect her.

MTG: “hold my beer.”

https://twitter.com/mollyjongfast/status/1491538815638548480?s=21

Spring training starts early in Seattle

Quote: ams288

MTG: “hold my beer.”

https://twitter.com/mollyjongfast/status/1491538815638548480?s=21

“gaspacho police” that’s funny.

Quote: JimRockford

“gaspacho police” that’s funny.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Quote:

Breaking NYT: The National Archives discovered what it believed was classified information in documents Trump had taken with him from the White House as he left office, according to a person briefed on the matter.

LOCK HIM UP