City of Vancouver just voted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of all drugs
- Thread starter wetnose
- Start date
WTF is this headline. City of Vancouver agreed on asking the federal government to create a medical exemption that would effectively decriminalize possession of drugs for personal drugs. Nothing has actually changed, and most likely nothing will change because the federal government will either simply ignore the city of Vancouver or say no.
There are many reasons to de-criminalize narcotics.
-The court system is full of small possession charges that never lead to anything, rehabilitation or prosecution, ultimately costing us a small fortune in court time, personnel costs and filling up jails with the bottom end of the drug world. Putting users in jail has been proven to not work. In fact it exacerbates the problem. It’s called “con college” for a reason.
-The people who use hard drugs are being poisoned by fentanyl and its derivatives causing problems for the health care system, again costing us a small fortune. Regulation is no magic bullet but it’s better than no regulation.
-We have come to realize that law enforcement and prosecution is an outdated model that so far hasn’t worked.
-We have looked at other models and seen great success (Portugal).
-People are dieing because governments declared a war on drugs. They lost, not the way they wanted to win. Trying something different had to come eventually.
-If the law enforcement focus is shifted from small possession to the import of problematic importation then maybe they can be part of the solution.
-Safe consumption sites allow for communication between users and health care providers. This shows people (users) opportunities for treatment. Yes, you and I know that treatment is available, some people don’t know this and if they do they either don’t have access or awareness of the opportunity. If the seed is planted eventually it grows.
-Addiction is a health care problem, not a law enforcement problem.
-“Portugal decriminalized drugs in 2001. Drug use there has not spiked (the rate of cannabis usage among young adults is less than half that of Canada’s) and the drug-induced death rate is low, 0.4 in every 100,000 people in 2016. The rate in Europe that year was 2.2 for every 100,000. B.C.’s death rate in 2016 was shockingly higher – 20.9 per 100,000. Last year, it shot up to 31.3 per 100,000.”
-Compassion is a better approach.
It's hard to back track on people without causing an uproar. The Canadian government has actually had very soft policies on drugs, hence the rampant use (and it is getting so much worse). Sure countries like Portugal have come up with a model that works by allowing drug use, but countries like South Korea with zero tolerance have a model that works equally as well.
For myself, I prefer the zero tolerance approach. However, I also believe cigarettes and alcohol should be banned.
The most important thing at the end of the day is to find help for these people and to remove the drug dealers from society.
For myself, I prefer the zero tolerance approach. However, I also believe cigarettes and alcohol should be banned.
The most important thing at the end of the day is to find help for these people and to remove the drug dealers from society.
Singapore is another country with zero tolerance. Look at them, almost zero drugs in the street and no deaths and definitely zero dealers. Government and people are focus on other priorities. This is not even a discussion. ?
I expect Vancouver will be indicating "party friendly" in their ads.
I'm on the fence about this.
On one hand I think it's a good idea to decriminalize to keep addicts out of jail. Many of them are much more in need of addiction and mental health treatment to get to the root of the problem,
. I used to be a heavy drug user when I was younger for a span of a few years when I was in my 20's. I fell in hard and fast. And I wasn't just a user, I also fell into the criminal side as well to support my addiction for awhile
Plenty of guys I knew who were petty criminals just fell further into the criminal world after doing time in jail. One of the downsides to jail is people establish more connections while in there and some even get recruited into gangs. Many go from doing petty crimes to support their addictions, to spending time in jail after getting caught then once they're released they're committing more major ones for gang initiations, etc.
In regards to fentanyl, and all the other toxic shit thats killing people. It's in there by design. The drug trade in North America is heavily controlled. And has been for decades. And I don't buy the BS excuse that low level dealers are adding it in to dilute their product to get more money. It's absolute bullshit. Who the fuck would add cheap toxic shit into their supply and kill off their regular customers? And it's EVERYWHERE. Several years ago it suddenly came out of fucking nowhere all over North America. Hmmm....
Just like the crack suddenly exploded in the 80's, and methamphetamine in the 90's, ... exact same shit happened with fentanyl.
On one hand I think it's a good idea to decriminalize to keep addicts out of jail. Many of them are much more in need of addiction and mental health treatment to get to the root of the problem,
. I used to be a heavy drug user when I was younger for a span of a few years when I was in my 20's. I fell in hard and fast. And I wasn't just a user, I also fell into the criminal side as well to support my addiction for awhile
Plenty of guys I knew who were petty criminals just fell further into the criminal world after doing time in jail. One of the downsides to jail is people establish more connections while in there and some even get recruited into gangs. Many go from doing petty crimes to support their addictions, to spending time in jail after getting caught then once they're released they're committing more major ones for gang initiations, etc.
In regards to fentanyl, and all the other toxic shit thats killing people. It's in there by design. The drug trade in North America is heavily controlled. And has been for decades. And I don't buy the BS excuse that low level dealers are adding it in to dilute their product to get more money. It's absolute bullshit. Who the fuck would add cheap toxic shit into their supply and kill off their regular customers? And it's EVERYWHERE. Several years ago it suddenly came out of fucking nowhere all over North America. Hmmm....
Just like the crack suddenly exploded in the 80's, and methamphetamine in the 90's, ... exact same shit happened with fentanyl.
Last edited:
...oh! And how do you think prohibition should be rule? I really like to understand your frame of thinking because laws and rules are meant so people understand that when you break them, there will be consequences. Isn't that a form of ruling by fear? ?
I don’t think Singapore is progressive in regards to its drug policy. I’m also not inclined to think highly of a government that uses capital or corporal punishment. As I said previously, that is ruling by fear, it is not governing with compassion and civility.
I understand where you are coming from. But from reading lots of post here about avoiding SP using drugs, we probably are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.
Sex, drugs and rock n roll baby.
“They” have tried to control or eradicate all of the above at different time of our society.
Selling sex is prohibited because the “moral” portion of society would have to swallow the fact that a lot of taxes would be generated from something they disagree with.
Drugs - same as sex but some drugs wake people up to see how full of shit “they” are. They like us dumb, so they legalize alcohol.
Rock n Roll - good to have in the background at a SP’s in call who also happens to be 420 friendly.
“They” have tried to control or eradicate all of the above at different time of our society.
Selling sex is prohibited because the “moral” portion of society would have to swallow the fact that a lot of taxes would be generated from something they disagree with.
Drugs - same as sex but some drugs wake people up to see how full of shit “they” are. They like us dumb, so they legalize alcohol.
Rock n Roll - good to have in the background at a SP’s in call who also happens to be 420 friendly.
The City of Vancouver can do anything they want, but hard drug possession is a federal law. The law has to be changed at the Canadian Parliment. Pls note as far as I know it is illegal to posess drugs, not to use them...
Now, alot of people that do drugs, advocate for making them legal.
The problem is how drugs affect society.
So if you all are so open to drugs, and change the laws to allow use; why don't you change the law and make rape, murder and stealing legal too. Oops I hit a sore spot with some assholes... may be.....
The law was changed for marijuana. Alot of changing this law had to do with chronic pain release, and the number of people getting caught with it.
As for hard drugs like heroin, a good portion of these addicts are a result of the oxycodone (oxycontin) scandal, and doctors overprescibing pain killers. Also the party scene, people like to party and then get hooked. Maybe that is a phase in your early 20s, but when you are in your 40 and have a family and still doing hard drugs on a regular basis , you have problems... The problems occur when the addict spends more on drugs then they have income...
Stealing. For Money, to buy drugs. How does this not affect you? Some one breaks into your house and steal stuff. You claim on your insurance. Everybody insurance rates go up.
These drugs users are a burden to society. Do you round them up like the Nazi's did and send them to concentration camps?
Maybe Canada should have a 3 times the charm rule. 3 times you OD, on the third time the paramedics can just let you go....
You know its funny, parents try to raise their kids right, their biggest fear is drugs.
Ask any family who has lost a loved one from drugs.
The problem with drug dealers and why people said the government lost the war on drugs was because they didn't hang the fucken bastards. So when we try to be better and put drug dealers in jail, meanwhile the cartels kill anyone who is against them, or steals from them etc. See the difference.
There are 7 billion people on a world running out of resources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternatives_to_the_Ten_Commandments
https://face2faceafrica.com/article...that-might-have-inspired-the-ten-commandments
People are going to do what the fuck they want to do. If you want to use drugs and you OD, why should I give a fuck about that....
As for fear, didn't god command that man fear him??? another oops....
Old testament: A god that requires obediance and sacrifice.
New testament: The newer kinder god, who loves you and needs your love back....
Now, alot of people that do drugs, advocate for making them legal.
The problem is how drugs affect society.
So if you all are so open to drugs, and change the laws to allow use; why don't you change the law and make rape, murder and stealing legal too. Oops I hit a sore spot with some assholes... may be.....
The law was changed for marijuana. Alot of changing this law had to do with chronic pain release, and the number of people getting caught with it.
As for hard drugs like heroin, a good portion of these addicts are a result of the oxycodone (oxycontin) scandal, and doctors overprescibing pain killers. Also the party scene, people like to party and then get hooked. Maybe that is a phase in your early 20s, but when you are in your 40 and have a family and still doing hard drugs on a regular basis , you have problems... The problems occur when the addict spends more on drugs then they have income...
Stealing. For Money, to buy drugs. How does this not affect you? Some one breaks into your house and steal stuff. You claim on your insurance. Everybody insurance rates go up.
These drugs users are a burden to society. Do you round them up like the Nazi's did and send them to concentration camps?
Maybe Canada should have a 3 times the charm rule. 3 times you OD, on the third time the paramedics can just let you go....
You know its funny, parents try to raise their kids right, their biggest fear is drugs.
Ask any family who has lost a loved one from drugs.
The problem with drug dealers and why people said the government lost the war on drugs was because they didn't hang the fucken bastards. So when we try to be better and put drug dealers in jail, meanwhile the cartels kill anyone who is against them, or steals from them etc. See the difference.
There are 7 billion people on a world running out of resources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternatives_to_the_Ten_Commandments
https://face2faceafrica.com/article...that-might-have-inspired-the-ten-commandments
People are going to do what the fuck they want to do. If you want to use drugs and you OD, why should I give a fuck about that....
As for fear, didn't god command that man fear him??? another oops....
Old testament: A god that requires obediance and sacrifice.
New testament: The newer kinder god, who loves you and needs your love back....
When was the last time VPD charged anyone for possession? How is this even news.
I agree 101%! Rights and Freedom entails responsibility not only to ourselves but to our love ones, neighbours and community.
Yeah, I wondered about that too. Is there really any point in asking the federal government? If the city just stops enforcing it... job done. Am I missing something?
(I am NOT entering into the argument of whether we're better off letting it go or enforcing it more strongly, which is where this thread appears to be headed. I'm just saying that this seems like a bizarre way to go about it, unless it's just to draw attention to the issue.)
The problem is drug use should not be a criminal problem, it should be a medical, mental health whatever problem. Seems kinda funny though on a board where everyone ignores the illegiality of paying for a woman to have sex with you some of you seem to wonder why people who do drugs are any different.
