The Dilemas of Policy

Does anyone else...

This is question that I am sure there are reasonable solutions too:

First I don't condone the use of cocaine or crystal meth, these 2 products have proven to be the most dangerous and deadly illicit drugs on the streets. Even the manufacturing of them can be an explosive experience for some. Usually they don't survive to tell their story. I'll not deny it, I have tried both. To be honest I wasn't impressed with the effects they had on me, nor do I care to experience them again. I still can't seem to understand why anyone in their right frame of mind would want to put that poison in their body willingly.

Now, I do know and understand people are not going to agree with this idea as a suitable solution to this ongoing problem. But, Portugal seems to have found a way to curb the abuse of these products, I suggest we consider something similar but with a little more physician based control. After all, who would you rather be deciding if you have an addiction. They are already in position and giving medications that are responsible for a lot of peoples addiction.

Now first for this to work properly we need a way to monitor the distribution of these drugs, to verify people aren't cutting the products with poisons that are fatal to the end user. Then  there's the age of consent we don't want children to be addicts, nor do we need children being born as addicts. This is one of my primary concerns, it's one thing for an adult to use. But to abuse the life of a child is irresponsible parenting. That's why we need a physician based system of checks and balances.

Ok, the next step is to take advantage of the existing distribution system. To do this is some what the lesser of two evils. If the drug cartels want to continue sending their manufactured products to the USA they pay a tariff. Anyone caught smuggling will loss their product and be turned around, sent home their names and pictures uploaded to a data base for future identification of suspected smugglers. Their products forfeited to be auctioned to a licensed and monitored distributor. This is absurd right. No think about it I read the illegal drug trade is estimated be $411 billion world wide, we spend an estimated $26 billion on enforcing prohibition laws then add the small fortune used in prosecuting and incarcerations. I'm willing to bet we spend less than 10% of what these drug cartels world wide gross profits. There isn't any way our government can even get close to stopping the drug traffic.

So we have a tariff on drugs that enter the country. Which will cover the cost of the infrastructure of the inspectors who are already in place, plus generate some extra revenue for our wasteful government to use on paying off our countries deficit. 
We have an approved safe distribution network of licensed and regulated Americans, who tax these products. Which can go towards an affordable healthcare plan for everyone.
And we are not spending money on failed prohibition policies or on prosecution and incarceration of the citizens, this money can be reallocated to other uses. Preferably raises for our first responders(EMT, fire personnel, and police) and military personnel. These people deserve to be paid better than they are in most cities and towns. More room in the prison system for the violent criminals, who show no remorse for the taking a life.

Like I said I don't condone the use of these products, I would not recommend them to my worst enemy. I will suggest they first visit rehab clinics and talk to people who have discovered they needed help fighting their addiction. If a person has the courage to admit to themselves their drug of choice is causing them problems and they ask me to help break the habit, I have a moral obligation to assist them if possible and to respect them for their courage.

Fact is we have a problem, and fighting it with prohibition is a failure. We need to take advantage of the drug problem and turn the abuse around. Use the abuse against itself. I see this as a win/win solution.