Europe's addiction capital - the UK.

[Workingman]

I think it is New Zealand that is going to try regulation and registration rather than bans and prohibition. Work within the system and you will be fine; step outside it, selling or buying, and its hard labour with the keys thrown away.

It seems fair and it will be interesting to see if it works.

[cromwell]

The problem is, there has been no "war on drugs" in this country; that is a fallacy. Since the 70's the laws on cannabis, for example, have been relaxed. I suppose once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's hard to get it back in again.

Regulation, it might work, who knows?
Pro's - it should take money from the hands of criminals.
Quality of drugs should improve - no more dilution of drugs with potentially lethal additives.

Con's - The criminal will always be able to sell drugs cheaper than the government.
It gives a signal that drugs are OK, really. If the government agrees to sell them, what can be wrong with them?
Increase in strength of drugs. Todays skunk cannabis is immensely stronger than the cannabis of the 1970's.
Government to be sued by drugs users if they get addicted or suffer mental health issues relating to drugs misuse?

[Kaz]

Con's - The criminal will always be able to sell drugs cheaper than the government.
It gives a signal that drugs are OK, really. If the government agrees to sell them, what can be wrong with them?
Increase in strength of drugs. Todays skunk cannabis is immensely stronger than the cannabis of the 1970's.
Government to be sued by drugs users if they get addicted or suffer mental health issues relating to drugs misuse?

I think your last point will be the main problem with legalisation - "Boo hoo, you legalised it, and now my leg has dropped off - you owe me squillions of pounds............."

Never mind free will, or that the warnings are there for all to see

[KateLMead]

We read today that East Europeans who are living rough camping out on the Imperial War Museum where they drink take drugs and smoke CRACK, they are fed good food every day at the Nunnery and Mungo's Hostel situated near by..
The mess they make is appalling.. Who cleans the filth up every day? The good old British tax payer of course. " Britain the cess pit of Europe".

[Suff]

" Britain the cess pit of Europe".

Not quite. There are quite a few countries giving us a run for our money and have more experience. However we are trying very hard to get there.