Is The Opioid Crisis The Government's Responsibility?

[vided]

What positives?

[Joe T.]

What positives?

I'll PM you a quick list.

Regards,
Joe T.

[Bob Denman]

C'mon, Joe...

Are you the guy that's sitting on 500 acres of illegal marijuana plants???
Or is your garage packed with 1500 kilos of Colombian cocaine?

[Rob Rodriguez]

Yes, I am completely serious.

One of the points I was trying to make in the above post was:

Republicans scream the loudest about legalizing drugs - yet they STRONGLY believe in self-accountability (so do I). A bit hypocritical, don't you think?

Again, I think the U.S. should legalize all drugs. Not the gov'ment's responsibility to protect the citizens of the US from themselves.

Think of all of the positives - - - (the list is long)

Joe T.

Well, if they were legalized then they could be better controlled. We would also see less of an influx of illegal drugs from foreign countries. Also could generate some tax revenue. Not sure what the answer is but open to the conversation.

I do think it's time the USA bring all this "stuff" out of the closet so to speak. Drugs, sex, etc...when it's perceived as bad and made illegal its driven underground where it does (or can) become a bad or worse thing than if it were just out in the open. Once someone says, "you can't do those things" a person immediately wants to....forbidden fruit. If we could just all be adult enough to openly talk about these things and manage them responsibly maybe we'd be better off as a society?

As a side note I'm not a republican or a democrat. I'm an American and that means is I want to do what's good for America regardless of weather or not it follows some stupid party line or rules. There is no possible way either side is "right" 100% of time on every issue. If we don't all work together then it all falls apart.

[Bob Denman]

Since I sell insurance: I've seen what happens when folks do stupid things with alcohol...
(I lost my best friend to a drunk driver!)
I'd rather not see any more creative ways for the idiots; to become even bigger idiots.
Has anybody else been watching the reports of increased MVA's in the States that are allowing the recreational use of weed?
It's no joke, and the insurance companies are really starting to panic over their losses!

[JerryB]

Hi Rob,

Re: Also could generate some tax revenue.

Oregon legalized recreational pot some time ago ( I don't use it so do not know exactly when - maybe 1 1/2 yrs ago ).

We are getting over three times the tax from it than was expected. Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

Re: Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

IMO it has been sort of like the lottery here in Oregon.

Jerry Baumchen

[Bob Denman]

[Joe T.]

As a side note I'm not a republican or a democrat. I'm an American and that means is I want to do what's good for America regardless of weather or not it follows some stupid party line or rules. There is no possible way either side is "right" 100% of time on every issue. If we don't all work together then it all falls apart.

AMEN to THAT!!!

Joe T.

[DJFaninTN]

I'll just leave this article here for your enjoyment

https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/su...ana-skyrocket/

[Schwingel9]

"I do think it's time the USA bring all this "stuff" out of the closet so to speak. Drugs, sex, etc...when it's perceived as bad and made illegal its driven underground where it does (or can) become a bad or worse thing than if it were just out in the open."

When used in the correct context of what it is designed for, these things are not intrinsically evil. Sex for instance, was designed by God for husband and wife for procreation. When used out of context or in immoral ways, then evil is abound, abortion, stds, divorce due to infidelity and so on. Sex has a purpose and is sacred and holy in the bond of matrimony. Sex is not a recreational sport. The same with drugs, they are not designed for recreational purposes, they are for aiding in healing and promoting health. Getting stoned is not healthy for the body or good for society. Making everything legal so we can tax it and make money on it, or doing what ever feels good, is not an answer to any problems.

[Sarge707]

Hi Rob,

Re: Also could generate some tax revenue.

Oregon legalized recreational pot some time ago ( I don't use it so do not know exactly when - maybe 1 1/2 yrs ago ).

We are getting over three times the tax from it than was expected. Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

Re: Legalizing it has been financially good for this state. As to the negative effects, that is rather subjective and yet to be determined.

IMO it has been sort of like the lottery here in Oregon.

Jerry Baumchen

Well Connecticut and other States with Financial problems could certainly use the extra income? My feeling is that $$ spent on POT (I certainly would NOT Use it LOL) would make people feel better than going to the local casino to Loss 2-3 Hundred and come home feeling ?????

[SAMBILLIE]

The wife and I were having this discussion tonight. I really don't want this to be an R vs D thing or political at all. It's just a general question. A simple YES or No will suffice.

BTW ... if you don't know, Narcan cost $1,200 per dose from what I have read and tax payers are footing the bill.

The government and their regulators decided to make the pain score as the fifth vital sign when they felt patients with not getting adequate pain management while in the hospital. This led to overmedicating and prophylactically medicating patients with opioids prior to leaving the hospital. Hence the addiction epidemic. Ironically the government started out by telling us doctors we are giving too few pain medications. Now we are giving too much. Oh well just another day in the life.

[Joe T.]

C'mon, Joe...

Are you the guy that's sitting on 500 acres of illegal marijuana plants???
Or is your garage packed with 1500 kilos of Colombian cocaine?

I WISH!!!!


Nope, just a dumba$$ from Kansas.

I have been watching this situation since ~1981. (see http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...egarding-drugs) for some backround.

Totally out of control. There needs to be a major change in direction.

Yes, in the transition, there will many casualties. But, in the long run it will be a positive for AMERICA.

DON'T you agree?

Regards,
Joe T.

[Joe T.]

Well, if they were legalized then they could be better controlled. We would also see less of an influx of illegal drugs from foreign countries. Also could generate some tax revenue. Not sure what the answer is but open to the conversation.

I do think it's time the USA bring all this "stuff" out of the closet so to speak. Drugs, sex, etc...when it's perceived as bad and made illegal its driven underground where it does (or can) become a bad or worse thing than if it were just out in the open. Once someone says, "you can't do those things" a person immediately wants to....forbidden fruit. If we could just all be adult enough to openly talk about these things and manage them responsibly maybe we'd be better off as a society?

As a side note I'm not a republican or a democrat. I'm an American and that means is I want to do what's good for America regardless of weather or not it follows some stupid party line or rules. There is no possible way either side is "right" 100% of time on every issue. If we don't all work together then it all falls apart.

I totally agree.

Joe T.

[Joe T.]

Since I sell insurance: I've seen what happens when folks do stupid things with alcohol...
(I lost my best friend to a drunk driver!)
I'd rather not see any more creative ways for the idiots; to become even bigger idiots.
Has anybody else been watching the reports of increased MVA's in the States that are allowing the recreational use of weed?
It's no joke, and the insurance companies are really starting to panic over their losses!

Then shouldn't those behaviors be harshly enforced instead of the limited enforcement for DUI today? I have NO problem sentencing DUI killers to life in prison - first offense!

That might be a better deterrent than the current practice of a slap on the hand.

Don't you agree?

Joe T.

[Bob Denman]

You have an agenda that you're not admitting to.
No more responses...

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

have the punishment fit the crime, if convicted of a drug offense that was part of a felony then real jail time no pussy jail.
if someone were to die from the offense then death, if the individual can't walk and you don't want to break the offenders legs
then fine, you don't come out of jail until the person can walk again. i'm not saying an eye for an eye but harsh punishment may
have people think before they act.
i always say if most people would think before they speak they would probably keep their mouth shut most of the time.

[Orange Spyder Man]

I SAY ....... N O

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I SAY ....... N O

osm, i know many won't agree but i feel people should have true freedom up until they negatively affect others. i don't believe
in paying for someone else's mistakes. if you want that freedom then you have to take responsibility for your actions.

[Schwingel9]

osm, i know many won't agree but i feel people should have true freedom up until they negatively affect others. i don't believe
in paying for someone else's mistakes. if you want that freedom then you have to take responsibility for your actions.

What is your definition of true freedom? Thanks!

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

What is your definition of true freedom? Thanks!

If you want to do drugs fine, but if your drug use hurts others.........
we all know cousin marrying like in islam produces certain birth defects, in pakistan it is common & ~30% of those have
severe problems but it is their country to do as they like, over here we would be paying with our tax dollars to support the
children for the rest of their lives.
everything is choice & consequence but the only way to prevent is for the individual to pay not society.

are any of you aware on judge judy when she berates someone for whatever and screams "you idiot you are going to pay"
she is lying since she knows the show will pay and pays the defendant for appearing. how can anyone learn from this?
back to the point, true freedomw is taking responsibility for your personal actions and accepting it.

[Schwingel9]

If you want to do drugs fine, but if your drug use hurts others.........
we all know cousin marrying like in islam produces certain birth defects, in pakistan it is common & ~30% of those have
severe problems but it is their country to do as they like, over here we would be paying with our tax dollars to support the
children for the rest of their lives.
everything is choice & consequence but the only way to prevent is for the individual to pay not society.

are any of you aware on judge judy when she berates someone for whatever and screams "you idiot you are going to pay"
she is lying since she knows the show will pay and pays the defendant for appearing. how can anyone learn from this?
back to the point, true freedomw is taking responsibility for your personal actions and accepting it.

Freedom is not taking responsibility for your actions, freedoom is the ability to choose the most good. Yes, we have free will, free to choose the good, not free to choose evil without consequences, those consequences are sin or civil punishment. When one becomes addicted to anything they become a slave to that addiction, hurting themselves and society as a whole.The government's job is to ensure we are free to choose the most good, legalizing drugs opens doors to vulnerable people. Drug use does hurt others, imagine the good one can do in their right mind not strung out on drugs. Like it or not we are all in this together, individualism is not so much in the forefront. The crises is not so much drug's, the crisis is an identity crisis and morality crisis.

[ataDude]

No.

[ARtraveler]

And yes, that is some good steel guitar.

[BoilerAnimal]

I used to listen to that back in my young and dumb days! I had a buddy that could record 8 track tapes.............wish I had all those songs again! That way I could listen to them in my old and dumb days!