cannabisnews.com: DrugSense Weekly, July 28, 2000 # 159





DrugSense Weekly, July 28, 2000 # 159
Posted by FoM on July 28, 2000 at 11:59:50 PT
The Mind Set of a Prohibitionist By Matt Elrod
Source: DrugSense
In the broadest sense there are two types of prohibitionist; Those who seek a utopian "drug free" country and those who see the WOD as a perpetual war of suppression, much like law enforcement against theft and violence. They realize that recreational drugs will always be with us but feel that if we let up drug use and abuse will increase. A subset of both types or prohibitionist have ill intent. They think that drug users are subhuman scum who should be oppressed and persecuted.
Other warriors actually have good intentions. They think the WOD reduces net harm to users and society. Of course, these kinder gentler warriors are quite mistaken about the consequences of the WOD, but beyond that, they share the same noble goals as reformers. I mean, don't we all want to reduce harm and live in a safer and more peaceful society?The "drug free" type have obviously never really thought about the consequences of the WOD. Drug policy begins and ends with its intent. Drug free warriors tend to be driven by how they feel, now what they think, and consequently facts and figures do not phase them. There is little point in trying to enlighten these people. Hateful perpetual WOD warriors are not much better, but they have not completely abandoned reason and logic. It is possible to convince them that drug policy reform would not require their sacrificing their distaste for recreational drug use and users. Well-intentioned perpetual WOD warriors are the most likely to come around because they are pragmatic about the inevitability of recreational drug use and typically willing to consider the possible outcomes of alternative policies. But in order to get any warrior to defect, we need to give them an honourable way out. We should therefore promote reform as a change in strategy toward the same harm reduction goal, not an admission of defeat. Rise above the "us and them" mindset and give warriors the benefit of the doubt concerning their intentions.I mean, nothing causes me to dig my heels in more than a warrior who assumes that I have ill intent, that I object to the WOD because I have a hard time scoring or that I am "pro-drug", wanting everyone to "turn on, tune in and drop out."IMHO,Matt"The golden rule of conduct... is mutual toleration, seeing that we will never all think alike and we shall always see Truth in fragment and from different points of vision." - Mohandas K. (Mahatma) Gandhi Disclaimer: These are half-baked ramblings snatched from Mattalk, my Canadian discussion list, without my permission.  MeClick to read all of DrugSense Weekly's Update News: DrugSense Weekly, July 28, 2000 # 159http://drugsense.org/dsw/2000/ds00.n159.htmlCannabisNews MapInc. Archives:http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/MAP.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: