Answering the Libertarian argument for drug legalization

[AceArcher]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

The most effective efforts to date to reduce drug use by adolescents in the United States was a combination of Reagan's "Just Say No!" campaign with diligent enforcement of existing laws:

High school seniors using cannabis dropped from 50.1% in 1978 to 36% in 1987, to 12% in 1991 and the percentage of students using other drugs decreased similarly. Psychedelic drug use dropped from 11% to 6%, cocaine from 12% to 10%, and heroin from 1% to 0.5%.

If scientists in other countries want to legalize drugs, let them do it in their own countries, and we'll see over decades if these countries prosper and grow or decline. Likewise, let's keep an eye on Colorado and California before we rush into the abyss.

Reagan's program to some extent... Possibly... overzealous enforcement via war on drug laws.... mandatory minimum sentencing, 3 strikes rules... MOST DEFINETLY not.

The most effective drug management programs have not come from the US.

Why should we not take cue's from other countries successes and failures in regards to handling drugs. Are american people made somehow fundamentally different than everyone else on the face of this world? Are you saying that we are sub-standard as compared to others? Are we not intelligent enough to figure out 2 + 2 equals 4? Are we as american's not bound by the same laws of science and physics as is the rest of the world.