In article  "Aidy"  writes:
>"sobriquet"  wrote in message 
>news:d311f199-e7d6-4032-a07a-cbcc0742d9a0@q14g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...

>> Yeah.. those people (non-violent drug users) don't belong in jail

>Come now, we all know people don't typically get jailed for casual drug use. 
>The type of user I'm talking about takes drugs in parallel with the many 
>other crimes they commit as it seems habitual criminality and illegal drugs 
>use go hand in hand.

I have no problem with prosecuting those people for the other crimes.

However, in many cases it is easier for the law enforcement system to
prosecute them for drugs.  If they commit real crimes, they should be
prosecuted for that, and the drugs should be made legal.

Note that the vast majority of casual illegal drug users do not commit crimes
other than buying and possessing drugs, yet they face the same risk of being
arrested, prosecuted and thrown in jail/prison.

-Pete Zakel
 (phz@seeheader.nospam)

"The personal computer market is about the same size as the total potato chip
 market.  Next year it will be about half the size of the pet food market and
 is fast approaching the total worldwide sales of pantyhose"

			-James Finke, Pres., Commodore Int'l Ltd.(1982)

"Pete nospam Zakel"  wrote in message 
news:4a3aa610$1@news.cadence.com...

> However, in many cases it is easier for the law enforcement system to
> prosecute them for drugs.  If they commit real crimes, they should be
> prosecuted for that, and the drugs should be made legal.

Real crimes like burglary?

Oh wait....burglars don't get jailed these days, so do casual drug users? 
Mmm....maybe your beliefs are wrong?

Aidy wrote:
> "Pete nospam Zakel"  wrote in message
> news:4a3aa610$1@news.cadence.com...
>
>> However, in many cases it is easier for the law enforcement system to
>> prosecute them for drugs.  If they commit real crimes, they should be
>> prosecuted for that, and the drugs should be made legal.
>
> Real crimes like burglary?
>
> Oh wait....burglars don't get jailed these days, so do casual drug
> users? Mmm....maybe your beliefs are wrong?

The point is drug use is a "Double Crime" - the currently illegal drugs are 
that way not to protect the drug user but to prevent them committing 
crimes - I think even you admit that (Do you?)
Hence they are arrested 'just in case' they commit a 'real' crime under the 
influence.

I and I think most people who advocate the legalisation of all drugs, would 
be happy not only for drug users who commit crimes to be arrested but even 
for the sentencing to be tougher if a crime is committed under the 
influence. It should not ever be allowed to be used as an excuse as often 
happens now.

Slatts