Quote Originally Posted by mfqr
By the way, Mr. Clandestine, there are people who use heroin, meth, and crack recreationally, but on occasion. So they don't become physically addicted. Yes, there are people who do these hard drugs without becoming addicts. Out of 6 billion people in this world, I don't think you can deny that. So, you saying that "Heroin can, and will, do this" is a bit over the top. Although, I can't deny that it has a high potential of doing what you say. Just saying that it "will" unconditionally do that is an exaggeration.
Perhaps I should have said that there is a very good possibility that a heroin addict might consider doing this. The point is this: these chemicals - which are rarely used exclusively for recreational purposes - have a high rate of addiction amongst users. You're right, not everyone would consider stealing to provide for their next fix...but many of them would. I've met several addicts through the years, and I don't remember any of them being able to hold a respectable job for longer than a few months. Of the ones that I knew, there were only a few options available for them to make any money. Prostitution was one of them. Dealing drugs was another, and finally, stealing from others is what many of them deemed to be a "last resort".

I followed the link in your previous thread, and what I read made plenty of sense. But, it's still my firm opinion that complete and utter legalization wouldn't do much to curb illicit drug use. You're right that they probably wouldn't have to steal for it, due to it's inherent lower cost, but...what would prevent the addicts from falling deeper into their addictions? You can't force a person to get treatment for their addiction, especially if the substance they're addicted to is no longer illegal.

I respect your stance that people should be allowed to harm their bodies without government interference to worry about on top of everything else. But, I'm afraid, this is one of those instances where we'll just have to agree to disagree.