These figures include 'associative crime' as harm. So it apparent counts the cost of buying it as harm, it also counts the tax loss of that expenditure, so IMHO it skews unfavourabley to higher expenditure. But put that aside.

These figures show that all illicit drugs combined are less harmful to society than alcohol, and tautologically the harm is inflated by illegality.

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[–] absGeekNZ 6 points 5 months ago (3 children)

There is definitely a place for legalization of some drugs; but there also needs to be an understanding on what the side effects would be of massive increases in usage.

Meth is some very addictive shit, look how hard we were working to get rid of smoking. I don't think introducing another massively addictive substance into the mix is a great idea.

[–] Not_mikey@slrpnk.net 6 points 5 months ago

By most accounts meth is less addictive then tobacco or alcohol . We don't think of it that way because people usually know a lot of people who drink responsibly but we often only see problematic meth users mostly because it's usually people with problems that use meth. If normal healthy people had access to meth they would probably fall into similar use patterns that they have with alcohol, some people using it only on occasions, some more frequently and some that become full on addicts. That's horrible for the people that do become addicts but if they have the genetic and emotional disposition for addiction they'd probably become addicted to something any way, whether that be illegal meth, or some other legal or illegal substance. Prohibition does not stop addiction because addicts will find some way to get there high.

This isn't to say that it should be sold by just anyone and go by the rules of capitalism, as capitalism and addictive substances do not mix well. It should only be sold in non-profit or government run stores to remove profit motive, and there should be non-discript packaging with no advertising allowed FOR ALL ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES not just meth. The main problem with a lot of these drugs is capitalism looking for endless growth at the cost of human lives.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Making drugs illegal hasn’t worked.

[–] absGeekNZ 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Agreed.

But the situation is more nuanced than simply saying everything is up for grabs.

Weed should be fully legal, controlled quality and trusted. Tax revenue would help pay for health complications from the usage.

There needs to be a harm based assessment of each substance.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Everything should be legalized.

I haven’t simply said everything is up for grabs, that was you.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Every comment you've made here has been completely devoid of nuance, insight, or intelligence, and quite frankly, you sound like a bit of a moron.

Methamphetamine is an incredibly addictive and harmful substance, with drastic health risks to it's consumption, and making it easier to access is a terrible idea.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago (3 children)

Every comment you've made here has been completely devoid of nuance, insight, or intelligence, and quite frankly, you sound like a bit of a moron.

You sound like my university professors.

[–] Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone 6 points 5 months ago

Hahaha

[–] liv 2 points 5 months ago

Heheh.

Seriously though I wish professors didn't say stuff like that. It's bad pedagogy.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

If you've genuinely been to university, this shows that intelligence and education don't always follow one another.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Hey I can handle you calling me a moron but implying I’m lying is a step too far.

Do you typically attack people personally because you disagree with what they are saying?

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I'm pointing out that people who hold a viewpoint that one thing is the way to go in all situations, with no exceptions, is something I typically associate with a lack of critical thinking ability.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Every comment you've made here has been completely devoid of nuance, insight, or intelligence, and quite frankly, you sound like a bit of a moron.

It sounds like you’re just insulting my intelligence.

Methamphetamine Is so highly addictive and has such bad side effects that the FDA approved it for a treatment for ADHD and obesity in children.

It’s called Desoxyn.

How many of the negative thing associated with it are just because it’s illegal? Have you spent any time thinking about that or do you just like insulting people?

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee -1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Here's the list of side effects of Desoxyn, which contains 5mg (five thousandsths of a gram) of methamphetamine.

And you want to legalise this?

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of blood flow problems in the fingers or toes (such as coldness, numbness, pain, or skin color changes), unusual wounds on the fingers or toes, mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, abnormal thoughts/behavior), uncontrolled muscle movements (such as twitching, shaking), outbursts of words/sounds, swelling ankles/feet, extreme tiredness, rapid/unexplained weight loss, change in sexual ability/interest, frequent/prolonged erections (in males), vision changes (such as blurred vision).

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fainting, severe headache, fast/pounding irregular heartbeat, seizures, symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating), symptoms of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion).

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

Do you want me to list the side effects of water?

Because they can be pretty horrific.

[–] purrtastic 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

What is this massive increase of usage you assume would happen? All drugs could be legalised without offering them for sale with minimal checks like alcohol currently is.

I’m not sure there are huge numbers of kiwis just itching to get a meth habit, if only it were legal.

[–] absGeekNZ 0 points 5 months ago

I don't think there is anyone out there, who is not starting a meth habit because it is illegal.

But lowering of social stigma, no chance of a criminal record and knowing you will get clean product; all will put upward pressure on usage numbers.