Does anybody here take the Greens seriously?

[AndyRM]

Has anyone put that forward as policy? Do you and @Stevo 666 have copies of your school reports? I bet they consistently said 'could do better' and 'must try harder'.

I wonder what people class as "hard core" drugs, when they apparently don't know much about them?

I also wonder if they realise how regulating drugs would be a massive tax win, and reduce the number of deaths from overdoses (which are usually from an unexpectedly pure batch hits the streets).

 

[First Aspect]

Maybe making it more difficult for some to get hold of dangerous and addictive substances. Tell me how you think having easy access to these dangerous and addictive substances would be a good thing.

This isn't what being proposed I don't think, just decriminalisation of users. Possibly safe drug rooms. Don't know but these are sensible policies routinely drowned out by idiotic war on drug right wing commentators transfixed on doing the same things that have never previously worked, but harder.

Doesn't mean I take the greens seriously, just that I don't ignore good policy ideas from parties I don't vote for.

 

[Psamathe]

Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell? Pompous twerps subjecting Polanski to a pub quiz.
As far as I'm aware Rory Stewart hasn't exactly excelled in UK politics, despite his obvious belief he is a very clever person. Alistair Campbell - one of Blair's manipulators, wasn't he.

Doesn't change that leader of a Party hoping to achieve greater influence didn't know the difference between "Debt" and "Deficit". Ability to answer is the relevant aspect, not the person asking the question.

 

[CXRAndy]

I wonder what people class as "hard core" drugs, when they apparently don't know much about them?

I also wonder if they realise how regulating drugs would be a massive tax win, and reduce the number of deaths from overdoses (which are usually from an unexpectedly pure batch hits the streets).

See USA for drug overdose and what recent firm policies to stop drug transport has done

Enabling a drug business to flourish just creates more users who become more dependent, destroy their own and those lives connected with them.

See California for proliferation of problems by 'being kind' attitude

 

[bobzmyunkle]

Doesn't change that leader of a Party hoping to achieve greater influence didn't know the difference between "Debt" and "Deficit". Ability to answer is the relevant aspect, not the person asking the question.

True, but I'm sure he does now. I'm more concerned that most mainstream politicians don't know what either debt or deficit are in terms of the national economy.
.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Prohibition of drugs; most effective policy ever........

 

[CXRAndy]

Prohibition of drugs; most effective policy ever........

US seeing dramatic falls in overdoses since Trump secured the border and started bombing drug boats

 

[AuroraSaab]

I also wonder if they realise how regulating drugs would be a massive tax win, and reduce the number of deaths from overdoses (which are usually from an unexpectedly pure batch hits the streets).

Allowing more gambling is also a massive tax win but I'd argue that the social effects outweigh the tax benefits. Same with legalising prostitution.

Article on one of Portugal's 'shoot up centres'.
Does seem to reduce deaths overall.
Only 10 out of 2,000 users entered detox voluntarily though so they don't seem to reduce drug use just deaths.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...alised-drugs-as-seen-from-the-shoot-up-centre

 

[Psamathe]

Allowing more gambling is also a massive tax win but I'd argue that the social effects outweigh the tax benefits. Same with legalising prostitution.

My impression of the Green's proposals (for discussion) isn't looking to make drugs more widely available or to increase use. De-criminalisation does not mean seeing them on Tesco's shelves (not even with are restrictions).

There are many aspects to improving the current situation and one action to help might not make improvements to every aspect needing attention eg. the quoted Portugal centres. Maybe both centres and other steps are needed, the centres reducing deaths and other measures addressing why people start using and other measures helping existing users off their addiction. Suggesting a measure that has one positive impact is no good becasuee if doesn't improved every aspect is maybe not recognising the complexity.

 

[Bromptonaut]

US seeing dramatic falls in overdoses since Trump secured the border and started bombing drug boats

Not the same thing as prohibition.

The crims will find a workaround soon enough.

 

[C R]

This isn't what being proposed I don't think, just decriminalisation of users. Possibly safe drug rooms. Don't know but these are sensible policies routinely drowned out by idiotic war on drug right wing commentators transfixed on doing the same things that have never previously worked, but harder.

Doesn't mean I take the greens seriously, just that I don't ignore good policy ideas from parties I don't vote for.

You and your facts.

 

[BoldonLad]

It doesn't seem to make it terribly difficult. It does make criminals of users, who then don't seek the help they need. Regulating supplies, cutting out the gangs, and treating addiction as an illness rather than a crime seems entirely logical.

You missed out putting a tax on it (like alcohol and tobacco)

 

[CXRAndy]

Not the same thing as prohibition.

The crims will find a workaround soon enough.

Whatever you way want to describe it, Trumps actions have been very effective.

You seem to be advocating governments negotiate to buy class A drugs from drug cartels. There isn't enough worth in produce sold to governments to keep ontop of the street demand.

Druggies will take the free drugs then go and buy the rest off the street.

Opening the flood gates for anyone to get access to class A drugs is a snowball that will just get bigger and bigger.

Far better to go cold turkey, stop supply to zero or close as and deal with withdrawal

 

[Bromptonaut]

I'm simply saying that laws against possession and use of drugs in the US or UK have failed.

Please don't assume I'm advocating their supply by the State.

I don't know whether Trump's actions on the border or his piracy on the high seas are working in the short term.

Is there actual evidence from independent sources?

 

[AndyRM]

I'm simply saying that laws against possession and use of drugs in the US or UK have failed.

Please don't assume I'm advocating their supply by the State.

I don't know whether Trump's actions on the border or his piracy on the high seas are working in the short term.

Is there actual evidence from independent sources?

Come on now, you're expecting a serious answer?