More thoughts on intoxication and disco biscuits

There an underlining problem with drug-based stories. The authors, in general, are aware of the injustice and hypocrisies of the drug laws and in turn many of their characters reflect this view. Yet there is no evidence to suggest that the generation that went through the 1980s and 1990s drug scene are now in favour of drug policy reform now that their habit is well behind them and have families of their own.

This should not be surprising to us. Baby boomers of the 1960s and 1970s, from Clinton onwards displayed the same inertia, whether they inhaled or not.

One argument you commonly hear against ending the war on drugs is the binge drinking we have in our towns and cities on a weekly basis. Over the last twenty years the culture of drinking has changed. mainly from drinking at a local pub, to concentrated drinking in town centres.

Concentration of drinking in one area: hmmm, bad – because it concentrates people chasing the same taxis and increases the potential for violence. But it also gives law enforcement the opportunity to concentrate resources.

If you don’t think that is a good enough reason – then go speak to your local authority and tell them to refuse the money on rent and licenses that late night bars bring in. Your Council Tax bills may rise. But the really good news in is that alcohol is legal. Being so means we can control it with prices, age restrictions, quality control, location of sale, and the time of day alcohol is sold at.

That is not something we can say about drugs.