Question: Why should we believe drug prohibition will eliminate drug use, since alcohol prohibition just led to increased crime? Have you ever used illegal drugs, and if so, how do you reconcile that with whatever punishments for drug use you now endorse?
Submitted from Gene of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania through MSNBC.com (10/11/00)
Answer from Patrick J. Buchanan:
Illegal Drugs Not Equivalent To Alcohol
Alcohol and tobacco have been considered mainstream in American society. . .
...since the founding of our nation. They were important in the development of our early agricultural economy. If we were to outlaw any mainstream activity of American society, the result would be widespread behavior that is socially acceptable but technically criminal. This is not the case with illicit drugs in this country. Drug use has not been a legitimate part of American society. Its outlaw does reflect the social views of the majority of Americans.
Unlike alcohol and tobacco, one cannot become addicted with the first use. It takes repeated use for people to develop a tolerance or taste for alcohol and tobacco products and prolonged use to cause addiction. Drugs such as cocaine, heroine and crack have been shown to cause immediate addiction with the very first use in some individuals.
Most drugs with criminal penalties can also cause death or other severe reactions immediately after its use. The short-term effects on the body of the user can be as devastating as the long-term effects. Alcohol can cause death upon its first use, but only when ingested in huge quantities or when a person takes other action while impaired, such as driving a car.
No, Gene, I have never used illegal drugs.
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