My point wasn't that all drug use is abuse.
It was simply that making drugs legal doesn't stop the abuse of the substances.

As far as pot goes, I don't think it should be illegal and I do not support the propaganda that it's more dangerous then alcohol.
We waste far too much money chasing pot smokers.
I am with you on this Dave, and with you TZ on this So why criminalize possession and distribution if we agree drug abuse exists (and will continue to exist) regardless?
Not everyone here agrees with that, but, I feel that someone who isn't doing drugs while it is illegal, isn't going to jump up and start doing them just  because it becomes legal, just as I'm sure as soon as prohibition ended, I don't think everyone who didn't drink before, suddenly leaped up and drove to the nearest liquor store.
I hate to see lives ruined by drugs, but keeping it illegal isn't going to change that.
If a person chooses to ruin theirs, so be it, it is their lot in life.
I don't buy the argument that the streets will suddenly be flooded with people high on drugs driving around, they're already out there.
There is also a vast difference between Pot and hard drugs.
The propaganda surrounding the DANGERS of pot are, imo, highly over-estimated.
The police would be well served to focus their attention on real crimes.
Yes, I understand your gripes and I apologize for my gruff manner. I am a New Yorker, born and raised, and we tend to have that effect on people.
Well, THAT explains everything! J/K