87 replies to this topic

[bishmasterb]

Oooops!  You forgot one thing.  Drinking alcohol (after turning 21) is LEGAL.  Drug use... especially shooting up is ILLEGAL.  Think of a better comparison next time... maybe politics isn't your forte.

Well, alcohol was once illegal. And it was a disaster. Criminals ran rampant and the police were corrupt.

The war on drugs is no different. Well, actually it's worse.

[CostcoLover]

Prohibiting needle sales to curb drug use makes about as much sense as prohibiting glasses to curb alcohol use.

Now that I think about it, that's a great idea! A ban on cups and glasses. The scourge of alcohol will be banished from the land forever! Man, I really need to become a politician.

Sorry Bish, you wouldn't cut the political mustard. A smart politician wouldn't ban cups and glasses, they'd tax the crap out of it.

[mylo]

Prohibiting needle sales to curb drug use makes about as much sense as prohibiting glasses to curb alcohol use.

I dunno, I hear injected heroine is far superior to smoked, so what else are you gonna do with it? Get a scalpel and a turkey baster? Whereas any container can act as a vehicle for alcohol.

[CostcoLover]

Was there a rationale for such a program? I'd like to see all the facts, but it doesn't look like the full background was provided.

For example, I'd like to understand what the prevalence of disease is from dirty needles, and how exposed the community at large would be from such incidents, plus the emergency medical costs for treating someone who used dirty needles and got sick, etc. weighed against the proposed program.

Would be nice to have all the facts before launching into a tirade.

[forumreader]

Great post, Costco.

I too would like to see the rationale for this proposed program.....Then I will launch into my tirade about why we don't need it!

[bishmasterb]

Sorry Bish, you wouldn't cut the political mustard.  A smart politician wouldn't ban cups and glasses, they'd tax the crap out of it. 

But a really smart politician (or a non-politician of average intelligence) knows that banning something and "taxing the crap" out of it have exactly the same effect.

[mylo]

Tirade first, ask questions later.

Remember, you are on the Internet!

[Chad Vander Veen]

Howabout we give them needles but secretly poison them?

/I know, I know, so "Bin Laden-y"

[bishmasterb]

I dunno, I hear injected heroine is far superior to smoked, so what else are you gonna do with it?  Get a scalpel and a turkey baster?  Whereas any container can act as a vehicle for alcohol.

My point was simply that banning needle sales won't prevent drug users from getting needles.

LOGIC: REMEMBER, what they're injecting (HEROIN) is completely banned and they've managed to get it. So what's so hard about getting the method of injection when it's only somewhat prohibited?

It may however encourage them to start breaking into pharmacies.

[ducky]

I don't see any of the discussion on this thread as a tirade. We should be discussing the various options.

Needle exchange programs help make sure needles are disposed of properly. The downside is it is paid for by taxpayers.

Needle sales won't be subsidized by taxpayers' dollars, but what happens to the used needles? Maybe the city could consider a combo sales/exchange program where the pharmacies aren't allowed to sell unless the dirty needles are brought in for exchange. This may make the needles cost more for the drug users, but at least the taxpayers won't be footing the bill.

I merely started this thread to bring up questions about the program.

As for the mention that opposition to any kind of needle distribution program to drug addicts is based in fear that more drug addicts will come to Folsom, I don't see that happening. I could be wrong though and along with knowing more facts about how much this program might save in medical expenses for users I would like to know if other cities that have these kinds of programs did experience an increase in drug problems once they made the needles more freely available and if that made law enforcement costs also go up.

I can't help but point out the irony that we just recently passed an ordinance that prohibits citizens from having a beer in the park but we are considering a program that helps people use an illegal substance.

[mylo]

I'm not sure it really "helps people use an illegal substance". It helps them use it cleaner, but they're going to use it either way. I guess that's the argument behind an exchange program. Give them away and at least you get a few toxic ones off the streets.

I think a good idea would be a stamp card, like they have at the Cheesesteak Shop. Bring in 10 needles, get free rehab. Bring in 100, and get a free electric chair ride!

Chad's idea's pretty good too.. and not too terroristy. Poisoning native inhabitants is the American way!

[Chad Vander Veen]

Chad's idea's pretty good too.. and not too terroristy.  Poisoning native inhabitants is the American way!

That's right, next will give the homeless special blankets to "keep warm" and to "not die of small pox".

[CostcoLover]

But a really smart politician (or a non-politician of average intelligence) knows that banning something and "taxing the crap" out of it have exactly the same effect.

Completely agree, but with the tax angle, the politician can buy his/her 3rd boat by maneuvering some of those funds into his/her bank account, and then run for his/her next term by promising to reduce those same taxes.

Just look at this guy.... one of the few they've caught...

http://news.yahoo.co...HNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

My favorite is that some of these corrupt government officials are on the take for 20, 30, 40yrs... and if they get caught, well, it's the retirement years anyway - all the fun has been had by then...

[tessieca]

Well, alcohol was once illegal. And it was a disaster.

BUT, what about the fact that the sober guys finally agreed to give women the right to vote?? Then we let them get drunk again .



This needle program sounds altogether too Berzerkely-ish.

[ducky]

BUT, what about the fact that the sober guys finally agreed to give women the right to vote??  Then we let them get drunk again . 
This needle program sounds altogether too Berzerkely-ish.

My thought exactly, tessica. I'd rather not see this program implemented, but it seems our city would rather embrace all things "big city" so as to not be looked at as backward.