re: #509 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Can we fix it by legalizing drugs, offering drug treatment programs and drug testing folks who get government assistance.

Cut them off if they fail the drug tests?

For drugs harder than marijuana, I agree. As far as pot goes, it was just dumb to involve the law, at all, in the first place. It’s a plant, people can grow it themselves at almost no cost, and for many people, it makes their lives happier. It helps me tremendously deal with anxiety, and it’s cheaper and safer than anti-anxiety drugs.

I don’t have a good answer for what to do if they fail the tests. Letting them starve isn’t good, and jailing them won’t achieve anything other than wasting money, either. I think all you can do is educate people, and do what we can to give them opportunities which make drug abuse less appealing. I’ve known more than one addict that cleaned up because of a great opportunity. People need hope, and sometimes, cocaine or heroin can be a shitty substitute for hope. I know that sounds nuts, but that’s been my experience.