Does legalizing amount to endorsement?

submitted by sawboss from (self.AskSaidIt)

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[–]magnora7 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Portugal decriminalized all drugs about 20 years ago. All drug usage and addiction rates across the country dropped in half.

What does that tell you? If reducing addicts is a top priority, decriminalization is the obvious way to go. It turns out people are more willing to seek help when they're not afraid of being arrested.

[–]sawboss[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

It turns out people are more willing to seek help when they're not afraid of being arrested.

It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Do you imagine the same applies to sex work?

[–]magnora7 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Maybe, but I'm not sure it's quite exactly the same.

[–]sawboss[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Right, it's not exactly the same. I am less certain about prostitution than drugs, because the potential for harm seems great. That's why I've invested some minimal effort into researching what sex workers have to say about it. You've seen the links I've shared on the topic, I think. It seems like the women who are willing to discuss the topic want sex work to be legal.

I hope to get some more input from you all than just upvotes/ignores. That's one reason I opend this thread. If we can debunk the idea that legalization would encourage more of it then maybe some people's worries can be soothed with reason.

[–]Tom_Bombadil 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

They also reinvested the drug war money into rehab institutions.

[–]poestal 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

but you also see in the states with say oregon have also decriminalized drugs and instituted safe injection sites and there has been increased homelessness, theft, overdosing, and mental illness.

in my opinion, the lenient attitude that portland has in regards to the homeless/addicts create an enabling environment for them that only encourage the lifestyle that they have.