Subject:
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Re: From Harry Browne
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Mon, 27 Nov 2000 18:18:12 GMT
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Viewed:
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660 times
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Dave Schuler wrote:
>
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Tom Stangl writes:
>
> > The answer, of course, is that YOU should be able to decide what a "drug" is
> > for YOU, and how you will handle it, but not for others.
>
> That works if the "drug" user is able to make that determination and if he
> doesn't subsequently cause harm to others as a result of that drug use, and
> in any case financial/criminal penalties may simply be too after-the-fact to
> be of use unless some measure stands in place to prevent such
> self-adjudication. Would you, for example, be comfortable undergoing surgery
> if, after you were put under, the MD decided he could "handle" a few hits of
> LSD before cutting you open? In addition, an addict has lost the ability to
> decide how much he can "handle," so his judgment is inherently faulty.
And what before the fact control keeps your current doctor from taking
an unwise hit of LSD in the current system? Ok, LSD isn't easy to get,
but I bet your doctor could get it easier than the average person. There
certainly isn't anything special which prevents the doctor from taking
the hit assuming he has access to the drug.
The most important factors in assuring that the doctor today won't take
an unwise hit of LSD are the same factors which libertarianism will use:
- The doctor values his reputation, and values the blessing of a
certifying agency (the main difference in Libertopia is that the doctor
(and the patient) will have a choice of certifying agencies. Note that
you may very well have the choice of chosing a doctor certified by an
agency which requires random drug tests in the Libertopia, especially if
that really is an effective measure (in fact, if it is an effective
measure [and it might be], Libertopia will give you FAR more guarantee
that you will be able to find a doctor who is subject to random drug
tests. Why? Because Libertopia allows this discriminatory act where I
strongly feel that it is unconstitutional for the government to require
it).
- The doctor respects the consequences of unwise use (primarily a huge
lawsuit if he screws up, secondarily a jail sentence in today's system -
but ultimately, in either system, if the doctor isn't "caught" taking
the hit, and doesn't make a mistake, no one will be the wiser).
A side twist - I suspect one of the most effective things in curtailing
drunk driving is something that is not (generally) legislated - the idea
of "designated drivers" who in some bars are served all the soft drinks
they want free, and in any case, the awareness of such has been raised
that folks who have little interest in consuming alcohol are willing to
make the offer to their friends so that their friends can get smashed
and then driven home safely.
I'd also note that there are many many instances of groups of people
self regulating themselves, setting standards for training and behavior
with no direction from the government.
--
Frank Filz
-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: From Harry Browne
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| (...) I understand what you're saying, and as far as deterrent criteria, I agree with the ones you've cited (and which I've snipped). In the current system, an illegal drug carries with it the direct penalty of its use, in addition to whatever (...) (24 years ago, 27-Nov-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: From Harry Browne
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| (...) That works if the "drug" user is able to make that determination and if he doesn't subsequently cause harm to others as a result of that drug use, and in any case financial/criminal penalties may simply be too after-the-fact to be of use (...) (24 years ago, 24-Nov-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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