Is Dundee any worse than any other Scottish large town or city?

Terrible state of affairs.  This is what happens when hope and opportunity are taken from you.  For a city that voted 'yes' our current government hasn't done nearly enough for Dundonians,

Finn Seemann wrote:

Terrible state of affairs.  This is what happens when hope and opportunity are taken from you.  For a city that voted 'yes' our current government hasn't done nearly enough for Dundonians,

They arnt interested in Dundee.
 

Goodie Conway 2 wrote:

I've listened to a couple of Tim Lovejoy podcasts recently where they've discussed the legalisation and regulation of all drugs. Two ex police officers who state that their entire career going after drug gangs was a complete waste of time and money. Whenever they shut down one operation, another one sprung up almost immediately.

Neil Woods and Peter Bleksley are the guys. Both strong advocates for legalisation of drugs. There are bodies working on this and plans have been formulated. Switzerland and Canada are reporting lower usage rates following the legalisation of marijuana. It's now a political issue. It just needs a forward thinking government to adopt the policy.

It's a big move from grass to smack, although not unrelated.  So I personally think legalising softer drugs isn't the answer.

Goodie Conway 2 wrote:

Legalise all drugs, is the suggestion

Apologies misread your post.  However, don't think that would work either.  Seems that the black market in prescription (legal) drugs is just as bad these days.  That level of dispensary control isn't going to change just because it's legalised unless you make it like a pick'n'mix at the cinema.  Don't fancy that!

The solution is to give folk an alternative to having no future and therefore seeking a way of blocking out the grim reality of their lives.  I appreciate that defeating the criminality around drugs would be extremely beneficial and would be an upside of legalisation, but I don't think it would stop folk blighting their lives with the ever decreasing circles of serious substance abuse.
 

I know this thread has been left for over a month now but thought I’d chuck my tuppence worth in since I can’t sleep before the playoff final.

I think the idea is rather than legislation of drugs it is the decriminalisation of drugs, so if a person is caught with drugs they aren’t jailed and fall into an endless cycle of homelessness and reoffending, rather they are treated as a patient if they are addicted and the government will help put you through a treatment programme. I know Portugal have done this and there are many advocates for it here now too. Lots of people argue that drugs would be more readily available but stats show there is a decrease in drug use and drug deaths, certainly in Portugal anyway.

I did some work on it for a University modulus a few years ago that I had to take outside of my course for credit points and it was extremely interesting.

Last edited by kingdomarab (23/5/2019 2:12 am)

Finn Seemann wrote:

Problem with Portugal is that the decriminalisation has just meant that more people are trying drugs.  In Lisbon recently and was offered more drugs over a weekend than I have in the last 10 years!  Getting more people hooked is not the answer.  In any case the decriminalisation of possession is pretty much here anyway for the softer drugs and it doesn't stop either the high level crime or low level crime that users commit to afford their habit.  Giving people an alternative lifestyle choice is the only answer.

 
It’s been a few years since I looked at it so I may be totally wrong but I’m almost certain their government said usage rates were down and less people were becoming addicted than before.

The police still take drugs from people but they just aren’t prosecuted they are helped, I think.

Finn Seemann wrote:

kingdomarab wrote:

Finn Seemann wrote:

Problem with Portugal is that the decriminalisation has just meant that more people are trying drugs.  In Lisbon recently and was offered more drugs over a weekend than I have in the last 10 years!  Getting more people hooked is not the answer.  In any case the decriminalisation of possession is pretty much here anyway for the softer drugs and it doesn't stop either the high level crime or low level crime that users commit to afford their habit.  Giving people an alternative lifestyle choice is the only answer.

 
It’s been a few years since I looked at it so I may be totally wrong but I’m almost certain their government said usage rates were down and less people were becoming addicted than before.

The police still take drugs from people but they just aren’t prosecuted they are helped, I think.

I'm no expert.  Just going with what I saw/heard with my own eyes/ears in Lisbon.  Was offered a wide variety of both soft and hard drugs over the space of 3 days, even when standing with my youngish kids.  My 13 year old daughter also offered loads.  I don't think that would be a good outcome for the UK.  Temptation etc. etc.
 

 
Oh I’m not doubting you cause it happened a couple of times to me in Portugal last year.

I don’t know if, a bit like with alcohol, much can be done or if that’s just the way this country is.