"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 2/8/2014 2:48 PM, Califbill wrote:

"Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Do you have any kids?

I have 2 daughters and 3 grandaughters. I would help them try to overcome
addiction. Just as you would your kids. But is it society's place to
rescue someone from bad lifestyle choice?

Here's the problem with heroin:

The success rate of detox and rehabilitation programs for heroin addicts
is very low. Only about 15 percent stay clean long term. You would
likely bankrupt yourself trying to get one of your daughters or
grandaughters off it (hypothetical of course) and still not succeed.
Would you be willing to just accept one (or more) of them dying while
living in a cardboard box somewhere because of their chosen "lifestyle"?

I doubt it. But your chances of success are still very low.

Another problem is once addicted, a user who is able to stay off it for a
while and then has a relapse can die from the next "fix". It's a hideous
drug form and is highly addictive. One in four people who try it once
will become permanently addicted *for life* (however long that is).

The need for the drug causes bankruptcy and homelessness in many cases.
Your comment that heroin addicts can lead a relatively normal and
productive life is simply not true. It's a downward spiral, often taking
many others along for the ride and costing society huge $$.

No, legalizing it isn't the answer.

How much better off is my child with all of society paying the tab? Will
she recover? Odds better? If we take most of the profit motive out of
heroin and other drugs, how likely will we have a greater addiction rate
without pushers?