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cumberlandbloos OP t1_iv1ddar wrote

Reply to comment by gutsberserk13 in Since the election is in 5 days, here's a website that shows Pennsylvania congressperson's thoughts on legalizing weed by cumberlandbloos

That's a bummer because evidence-based policies save lives.

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gutsberserk13 t1_iv1s0hr wrote

so we are ok with decriminalizing meth and heroin, the scum drugs of our country?

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cumberlandbloos OP t1_iv1tfir wrote

Yes absolutely. The criminalization of these substances has done absolutely nothing to reduce their consumption or the dangers associated with them. Decriminalization + treating drug abuse as a medical problem instead of a criminal justice problem is an evidence-based approach that is proven to reduce addiction, disease, violence, and overdose deaths. Portugal is the best example of this but similar policies have been tried elsewhere. The question is not whether meth and heroin are terrible (of course they are), the question is what policies are best suited to save lives. At this point, anyone who is pro-drug prohibition is essentially pro-overdose and pro-drug related violence. Decriminalization is necessary as part of a holistic, evidence-based approach to drug policy that treats it as a medical and mental health issue.

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