Laissez-faire
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In the 1800s the US Gov’t. had no laws
governing the sale or use of most drugs.
If the buyer wanted to buy it, and the
seller wanted to sell it - let them do it!
Both parties get what they want!
This is laissez-faire.
As applied to drugs…..
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Go to the Libertarian Party web site and
read what they say about “Re-Legalize
Drugs.”
Then go to the DEA web site and read
the debate between DEA Administrator
Hutchinson and New Mexico Governor
Johnson.
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Both these links are in the “Web Sites”
area of the course.
Victimless Crime?
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There is a constant argument that
buying and selling drugs is a “victimless
crime” because both parties get what
they want and neither one complains.
Is this all there is to the argument?
Laws were passed because it was
believed that there were victims of these
transactions……
Three main concerns…
These 3 concerns are why there are drug
laws….
 1) toxicity
 2) addiction
 3) crime
Toxicity:
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It is not a “victimless crime because…
drug sellers are endangering public
health and victimizing individuals when
they don’t label them or put appropriate
warnings on them
The addict knows that they are buying
an illegal drug but they still don’t know
what drug or additives they are buying
Addiction:
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It is not a “victimless crime because…
they are selling habit-forming drugs, and
again without the appropriate labels or
warnings
I know that you think that they are
“getting what they ask for..” but are
they? What about the young kids that
often really don’t know?…..
Crime:
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It is not a “victimless crime because…
the drug seller and drug abuser are
harming the community because of the
crimes that they are committing.
I had my house robbed by some addicts
- I really don’t think that their drug
transaction was “victimless…” if they
used the money from selling MY stuff…
What next?
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Go to the Class Discussion Board
Read my instructions for the “Victimless
Crime” Thread
Follow those instructions
Then continue …..
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Don’t forget to finish reading the rest of
the PowerPoint presentations for
Chapter 2.