miszt said:
I agree Barclay, but as the problem with Alchol and Nicotine shows, legalisation doesnt help either...
Good, good, a debate

. Challenge me as much as you like. I like to have my arguments tested.
The problems with alcohol and nicotine would be worse if they were prohibited. The obvious example of that is the prohibition era in the States.
I'll also give you a practical example of how much worst prohibition of alcohol and nicotine would be. One of the effects of prohibition is that it can make people reluctant to get medical advice and treatment... Nuff said?
Then there's all the other stuff, like...
Denial of personal freedom
Criminalising a huge proportion of the population
Placing huge amounts of money in the hands of organised crime
Substances tainted with nasty things like anti-freeze = no quality control
Billions spent on enforcement
Tax revenues lost
Massive increase in crime - gang wars for sure
A lot more people would die early deaths
The fact of course is that prohibition doesn't decrease usage. The prohibited drugs market is pretty much at saturation point as it is - despite draconian penalties. I see no reason to suppose that prohibition of alcohol and nicotine would have much of an effect on consumption, especially as prohibition hasn't worked in any other areas where it's been applied.
Hugs,
Barclay