CJ. Did you not suggest shooting all drug users on another thread? Yes you did. That would minimise harm for sure mate. Including all drinkers one presumes.

Andrew. This society is in the death grip of wars. Wars on terrorism, drugs and tobacco. Not alcohol, yet. But that's next.

Pyne is a pain. A temperamental idiot. His big contributon recently was to push for "ice pipes" to be banned. Great idea. No one would ever come up with an alternative now would they? That's the depth of that idiots thinking. ZIP.

As to Bishop. Why isn't she in the Simpsons? She has the harm, just needs a deeper blue. She's a moron. Ignore her and she'll fade away. Even Howard hates her as do most Australians.

Think about these "wars". Are we winning any of them? The answer is no if you don't know. Comedian Bill Hicks made much of this war. What he pointed out is that such a "war" is actually against the citizens of the country and that the war is actually against personal freedom. I can't disagree with that. More things are being banned every day. Why? Simply becuase others can't deal with it.

Remove the criminal legislation, open things up and allow people to do what they want for God's sake. They will anyway. If it's open there will be opportunity to educate rather than allow those that hover to take our children's lives away.

Andrew is right. It's a health problem, not a criminal one.

It's absolutely a health problem. Temperance in the US only created alcohol millionaires. It didn't stop drinking. Only showed that while crime pays there will be people willing to make big (tax-free!)dollars.

As opposed to what Runner thinks, drug use is actually lower and started later in life in Holland than it is here in Australia. Every 4 years drug use is assessed and reported on. They're just more open about the existence of drug use.

I have no idea re Singapore. I doubt that drugs are not causing misery there.

Drug use has been with us since the cave days. Why did you think Auntie Daphne was having her cuppa Tea and 2 Bex? Because she had a headache?

Education and harm minimisation are the way to go. Where it has been used it works.

In Holland there are places where you can check up where the cheapest prices are on your favourite substance. Horrible for those wanting to make big profits. Nothing like good old competition to get prices down!

yvonne - yeah, I was confused about runner's depiction of Holland too. It's an awsome place. So friendly, open and fun. There's nowhere else in the world like it. And it proves that decriminalisation doesn't just work well in theory, but in reality. So decriminalisation proponents arent simply hypothesising, we know it works because, well, just have a look.
No higher rate of addicts or drug related deaths or drug related crime or ANY of the reasons used to justify prohibition.

Really, what more do we need?

Runner - did you know that masterbation sends you blind?

Its true you know coz I knew someone who tried it once and then they went blind...

hhttp://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5728#78623

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5728#78626

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5728#78796

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5728#78795

If drugs are legalised they’re more likely to saturate society and become culturally embedded (like tobacco) the consequent harmful effects on users’ health will spread and exacerbate existing problems in society and healthcare.

Addictive drugs bind to receptors and desensitise them. This tolerance creates a need to take sequentially larger amounts for the same effect and addiction. This increases the likelihood of overdose.

Addictive drugs alter levels of neurotransmitters mainly serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and noradrenaline in the brains reward circuitry on the limbic areas (ventral tegment/nucleaus accumbens). Other brain areas involment cause differing effects of the various drugs .

Ecstasy stimulates serotonin production and floods the prefrontal cortex to give feeling euphoria, meaning and affection. The extreme rush of neurotransmitter and its mechanism, if used regularly, can “burn out” the cells and create temporary withdrawal symptom and long-term risk of chronic depression.

Halluccinogenic drugs (like LSD, magic mushrooms) stimulate or contain serotonin production which mimics dopamine rush. Temporal lobe activity causes hallucinations.. Bad trips result from stimulation of the amygdala, which produces feelings of extreme fear. Psychedelic drugs may trigger long-term psychosis and unpredictable” flashbacks”. LSD creates mental impairment such as loss of ability to think abstractly.

Cocaine knocks out the process that removes excess dopamines. Cocaine long-term use can include psychological conditions like formicaton , hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety.

Amphetamines release dopamine and noradrenaline. This creates energy but feelings of anxiety and agitation. The harmful side effects – include changes to blood pressure, blood volume, salt balance and benign and malignant liver tumors.

Mairijuana: dependence more than addiction. Is carcinogenic - metaplasis already seen. Strong evidence that induces mental illness.

Nicotine mimicks dopamine neurons’ effects. Extra acetycholine is produced which boost memory. Lung cancer, blood pressure etc etc.

Opioids like morphine, heroin fit into receptors that normally take endophins and enkphalins and creates a dopamine rush. This disengages the person from pain. The withdrawal effect of heroin are the harshest and is associated with steep rise in stress hormones that activate the brain’s urge-making areas. Liver dysfunctions, pneumonia, lung abscesses, brain disorders and severe addiction itself.

Alcohol abuse known.