Is pot REALLY more of a "gateway" drug than alcohol, pills, etc?

[aggiealum]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/396714/is-pot-really-more-of-a-gateway-drug-than-alcohol-pills-etc#post_3534888
Comparing crime numbers of the two countries is pointless. There are to many variables for those numbers to be used as any sort of deduction towards drugs and their impact on society. Now, using netherlands crime statistics before they "legalized" and five years after "legalizing" will have some bearing. However oine could argue economics as a variable factor as well.
Throughout the world, drug use is down in general, especially for pot. Any thoughts as to why?
The numbers I posted were "per capita" for each country. So the ratios are compartive to the number of citizens within the country.

Although cannibis drugs have been on the Amsterdam books as "illegal" since 1950, they've always had a lax or non-exisitent enforcement when it came to public use. So I doubt you could find any comparative "before" and "after" crime statistics for that country.

 

[darthtang aw]

The numbers I posted were "per capita" for each country.  So the ratios are compartive to the number of citizens within the country.
Although cannibis drugs have been on the Amsterdam books as "illegal" since 1950, they've always had a lax or non-exisitent enforcement when it came to public use.  So I doubt you could find any comparative "before" and "after" crime statistics for that country.
Your ratios are fine. But there is differences in data on what causes crimes in the two countries. Economics are different, pay scale and cost of living different, demographics are different as well as geography. The only true way to honestly argue that the legalization of drugs plays no affect on increasing crime would be comparison statistics for the country before and after. I have travelled all around the world and the netherlands are like no other place i have ever been. It is just seedy for lack of description.

 

[darthtang aw]

Where'd you get that info from, Darth? Everything I see seems to be conflicting. I see reports that certain types of drug usage had gone down only to rise in other areas like priscription drugs. And that pot usage by teens was down only to rise back up last year.
Portugal, decriminilized drugs 10 years ago and usage has dropped by 50%. If you look at the others they've dropped as well. Maybe that's where your data is coming from?
I read it in an article a few months back. I will see if i can find it.
And I do need to amend my statement. It is Marijuana and illicit drug use has declined or stabilized in N. America and Europe. It is increasing In africa and other developing areas......

 

[phixer]

So why not legalize it and tax it like cigarettes? Who cares if marijuanna leads to more dangerous drugs like heroin. Only the weak and stupid fall prey to these patterns anyhow and eventually they perish.