tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498725671447004370.post4990313241538370221..comments2023-10-26T07:19:41.446-05:00Comments on Science Avenger: Portugal's Success Ending the War on DrugsScienceAvengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00855046387193200080noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498725671447004370.post-58423541141882470192009-05-26T18:02:32.472-05:002009-05-26T18:02:32.472-05:00The difference (obvious to anyone who thinks about...The difference (obvious to anyone who thinks about this for even a minute) is that there would be an initial swell of people who sought drug treatment which would eventually trickle down to the number of first time drug users - the number of hard core addicts who will never seek treatment -> (I don't have a "yields" sign on my computer) the number of recovered addicts + the incorrigible addicts + the people who never sought treatment. In all possible scenarios the number of people off drugs increases. Even taking new users who would never have tried drugs without them being legal, the number of hard-core addicts who don't respond to treatment is less than the number of currently marginalized people who have no sensible way to exit addiction. At most it would increase the number of people who can use the drug casually without significant harm to their lifestyle.memphistohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294688818834943139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498725671447004370.post-33056090012141307432009-05-22T11:41:47.466-05:002009-05-22T11:41:47.466-05:00Thanks for your first answer.
For your question, I...Thanks for your first answer.<br />For your question, I have no idea if there would be a reduction in hospital visits considering "while the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled."Ronaldonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498725671447004370.post-42510713179354127382009-05-22T10:55:29.480-05:002009-05-22T10:55:29.480-05:00Decriminalized = still illegal, but no longer a fe...Decriminalized = still illegal, but no longer a felony, like speeding.<br /><br />There wasn't any comment on emergency rooms that I noticed, but given reduction in use, would we not expect a proportionate reduction in emergency room and other hospital visits?ScienceAvengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00855046387193200080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498725671447004370.post-68639946137963330772009-05-22T10:36:09.296-05:002009-05-22T10:36:09.296-05:00"in the five years after personal possession was d..."in the five years after personal possession was decriminalized, illegal drug use among teens in Portugal declined"<br /><br />I guess I don't understand the way "illegal" is defined. When personal possession was decriminalized, wouldn't that make illegal drug use go to ZERO?<br /><br />"while the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled."<br /><br />How has the wait in Emergency Rooms fared?Ronaldonoreply@blogger.com