[Anonymous 23]

Me and a friend were talking about some laws, and we came up with some ideas, they might be dumb but dont flame, just thoughts. We thought all drugs should be illegal (like they already are) and stiffer, harsher fines and punishments, but not always jail time.we suggested FORCED rehab for the bad drugs like meth and so on (I included steroids)he also said that would work better than jail time, because jails wouldnt fill up and it would help sober them, prison is for murderers,rapists and other things, not people who do drugs.my friend also suggested legalizing marijuana. Even though it is bad just like the rest, it doesnt have as much of a damage as meth and the rest of them, so it could stop most people from doing other stuff. Im not saying sell it in stores or anything but also no mass selling of the drugs.that was just an idea.I also thought any prisoners other than rapists murderists etc, should have the chance to do some of their time in the army and reduced prison time. dumb?mind you i dont drink or do drugs, i made the decision not to, but it was still an ideayes nonames I thought the same thing, but i decided to post to get other opinionsi like to get discussions going so this is why i posted, thanks for all the replies!

[nomames]

forced rehabilitation never works!!!!!the first step to recovery is to admit the problem and second to decide to overcome it!!!!

[Steph]

From what I understand the problem is that rehab isn't that available to homeless, people, and when it is they throw them out as quickly as possible.I really think there should be drug testing for welfare recipients...I mean giving someone housing and money is just enabling them. That extra money could be used to help people who can be helped or put towards the right kind of help.**I think jail is cheaper than rehab and thats what it boils down to

[Tracy M]

It wouldn't work....if the person does not want to be in rehab they will not stick with the program. They have to want to go there to get sober.

[Susie D]

Forced rehab is a waste of money. The only person who can decide to quit drugs is the person doing them - when someone else makes that decision for them they have no motivation to get and stay clean. They would go through the motions, get out, and start using before the hit the bus stop.

[tam2ez]

Sorry, but it would'nt work, The person has to want to quit using. you can't force it.

[The Real Napster]

That would be great if rehab actually worked.

[alex42z]

Not dumb at all. For rehab to work they say the addict has to make a personal decision to quit, but it seems to me that if the person is monitored and pee tested randomly with the threat of jail if he relapses, that should have some chance of success. And you're right, it would save the taxpayers considerable costs.As for marijuana, that should depend on objective statistics-- possibly from those Scandinavian countries that have programs that legalize certain drugs.But your general idea is absolutely logical-- treat addicts as ill people and continue to inflict harsh penalties on manufacturers, importers and dealers. The fewer addicts, the less customers for the criminals. It's a shame the legislators we elect have considered the criminalization of drug possession as a political gambit and continue to mislead the public and waste taxpayers money.

[Heather Mac]

Unfortunately, there is a catch 22 for drug users. Jail and/or prison doesn't work. Unless they are placed in a prison that has a good rehab program, they come back out on the streets and go straight back to using. And, as previous answerers have said, forced rehab doesn't always work because the user has to WANT to stop their self-destructive behavior and has to understand the problem in the first place. However, it has a higher success rate than just putting users in prison. I also think we need to expand the drug court programs and hold the threat of prison over them while they work with counselors and drug treatment, and we have to understand that they will slip and fall along the way. While I do think marijuana should be legalized, at least to some extent, legalizing it WILL NOT stop people from using harder drugs. People who are addicted to crack cocaine and meth will not just switch to marijuana because it's easier to get. The key is for drug task forces to work harder to get the dealers off the streets and keep the drugs from coming into the country in the first place. I realize, of course, this is easier said than done.

[Ahcho A]

OK, we know jail doesn't work so the other only action is rehab but my girlfriend is a drug councilor and she has told me many times that the more hardened drug users never stay on the wagon. Very few actually stay off the drugs. This is a lose lose situation at best.