Should We Criminalise Alcohol?

23 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
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1-in-20 deaths are caused by alcohol
It's an extremely harmful and dangerous drug
Has a high abuse rate among children and adults
Is responsible for all sorts of atrocities
After all... prohibition works so well...
Why not criminalise alcohol?
What are your thoughts?
  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    It's already been tried.

    All it did was put criminals in charge of producing it.

    Much better to have it out in the open where it can be held accountable (in theory at least).

    And no, prohibition of anything does not work well, or at all.
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    • Profile picture of the author positivenegative
      I, *hic*, don't know. Ish raver late. *hic*.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      It's already been tried.

      All it did was put criminals in charge of producing it.

      Much better to have it out in the open where it can be held accountable (in theory at least).

      And no, prohibition of anything does not work well, or at all.
      For the most part. I found part of a still in the attic years ago and asked my father what it was. He told me it was part of the still he used during prohibition to make his own brew.
      He said when it went into effect a lot of people around here made their own including wine and beer.
      As a side Legs Diamond use to hang out near here.
      In fact he was killed across the river from me in Albany NY after being on trial in Troy, NY which is where they tell me I live.
      He was a big celebrity around here to many people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    mrozlat, you're going to want to slowly back out of the room. The Off Topic is commonly referred to as "The Bar." You will find no quarter here. Quarts, fifths, kegs, half kegs, maybe, but no quarter for you.

    Now, to show no ill will, here's an order of cheese fries. Claude left them unguarded when he went to drop a deuce an hour ago. You can eat 'em as you walk out the door.
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    Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      This is a joke, right? I am waiting for the punchline.
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

        This is a joke, right? I am waiting for the punchline.
        You said "drugs" were bad a few weeks ago..
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  • Profile picture of the author Angle Warrior
    I disagree, taking away something that so many people enjoy and use responsibly because there are people out there that abuse alcohol is wrong in so many ways, I truly don't understand the reasoning behind this, more people die per year texting and driving than drinking and driving, should we criminalize cell phone?


    I've lost a several people who were close to me because of alcohol including my father that was only 42 years old and I personally abused alcohol and am lucky to be alive if I didn't sober up over 20 years ago I'm sure I wouldn't be, do I want alcohol Criminalized because of my problem and my losses? NO do I think that others shouldn't be permitted to enjoy themselves because I quite drinking? NO
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    • Profile picture of the author mrozlat
      Originally Posted by Angle Warrior View Post

      I disagree, taking away something that so many people enjoy and use responsibly because there are people out there that abuse alcohol is wrong in so many ways, I truly don't understand the reasoning behind this, more people die per year texting and driving than drinking and driving, should we criminalize cell phone?


      I've lost a several people who were close to me because of alcohol including my father that was only 42 years old and I personally abused alcohol and am lucky to be alive if I didn't sober up over 20 years ago I'm sure I wouldn't be, do I want alcohol Criminalized because of my problem and my losses? NO do I think that others shouldn't be permitted to enjoy themselves because I quite drinking? NO
      yeah but with the war on drugs and all...doesn't it make sense to criminalise and prohibit alcohol use... what sort of message are we sending to children these days... that discrimination is good?
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      • Profile picture of the author HN
        Banned
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        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          If they do, I'm going to become the next God Father and run London's best ever underground alcohol distribution plant.

          Anyway, waste of time, they can't keep a lid on drugs so they sure as heck wouldn't make a difference on booze.

          Anyway, the simple reason is, they couldn't afford to criminalise it, neither for the money they lose in revenue or the fact they'd be criminals themselves.

          Especially our own Prime Minister.



          Right, I'm off for a pint.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Alcohol, electricity, fire, firearms, knives, rocks, gasoline, nail polish remover, super glue, chain saws, voting booths, credit cards, etc., etc., etc.

    What do they all have in common? They're all completely neutral until you add people. Maybe we should criminalize stupidity.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Alcohol, electricity, fire, firearms, knives, rocks, gasoline, nail polish remover, super glue, chain saws, voting booths, credit cards, etc., etc., etc.

      What do they all have in common? They're all completely neutral until you add people. Maybe we should criminalize stupidity.
      Not enough prisons to hold 'em all.
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      Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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    • Profile picture of the author mrozlat
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Alcohol, electricity, fire, firearms, knives, rocks, gasoline, nail polish remover, super glue, chain saws, voting booths, credit cards, etc., etc., etc.

      What do they all have in common? They're all completely neutral until you add people. Maybe we should criminalize stupidity.
      yeah but who would "govern" us then?

      don't you feel that forcing a select drug onto the population is somewhat ridiculous? if people don't have the freedom to make an informed choice on what (if any) drug they wish to relax with or explore their consciousness with... then let's just make anyone and everyone that wants to use drugs a criminal! even those little pills doctors get to prescribe...
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by mrozlat View Post

        yeah but who would "govern" us then?

        don't you feel that forcing a select drug onto the population is somewhat ridiculous? if people don't have the freedom to make an informed choice on what (if any) drug they wish to relax with or explore their consciousness with... then let's just make anyone and everyone that wants to use drugs a criminal! even those little pills doctors get to prescribe...
        It isn't being "forced" on us. Alcohol is legal here and I don't drink more than once or twice a year, and then not much.

        I think it's absolutely bizarre when people don't want something and their first thought is to make it "illegal".
        1. Who made you the moral god of my life? Your nose does not belong up my rectum, thank you very much.
        2. "Adult". Remember that word and what it means? Adults are supposed to be responsible for their actions If they are not, you don't treat the whole damned country like children - you deal with the adult who can't handle themselves.
        3. What message are we sending to children? Don't let government treat you as a servant or slave - be responsible for your own actions. How other people choose to live their lives is none of their business. Good lessons.


        Make it all legal and let those who are adults make their own choices of how to live their lives. When they start creating havoc for others....well that's what laws are for. If they kill themselves, oh well, sucks to be stupid.
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        • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

          It isn't being "forced" on us. Alcohol is legal here and I don't drink more than once or twice a year, and then not much.

          I think it's absolutely bizarre when people don't want something and their first thought is to make it "illegal".
          1. Who made you the moral god of my life? Your nose does not belong up my rectum, thank you very much.
          2. "Adult". Remember that word and what it means? Adults are supposed to be responsible for their actions If they are not, you don't treat the whole damned country like children - you deal with the adult who can't handle themselves.
          3. What message are we sending to children? Don't let government treat you as a servant or slave - be responsible for your own actions. How other people choose to live their lives is none of their business. Good lessons.


          Make it all legal and let those who are adults make their own choices of how to live their lives. When they start creating havoc for others....well that's what laws are for. If they kill themselves, oh well, sucks to be stupid.
          Thank you Sal. You saved me from writing pretty much the same stuff. I'm so tired of all the den mothers who want to save the rest of us from every little thing. If everyone would just take care of themselves and take responsibility for their actions, boy, what a world it would be.
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        • Profile picture of the author mrozlat
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

          It isn't being "forced" on us. Alcohol is legal here and I don't drink more than once or twice a year, and then not much.

          I think it's absolutely bizarre when people don't want something and their first thought is to make it "illegal".
          1. Who made you the moral god of my life? Your nose does not belong up my rectum, thank you very much.
          2. "Adult". Remember that word and what it means? Adults are supposed to be responsible for their actions If they are not, you don't treat the whole damned country like children - you deal with the adult who can't handle themselves.
          3. What message are we sending to children? Don't let government treat you as a servant or slave - be responsible for your own actions. How other people choose to live their lives is none of their business. Good lessons.


          Make it all legal and let those who are adults make their own choices of how to live their lives. When they start creating havoc for others....well that's what laws are for. If they kill themselves, oh well, sucks to be stupid.
          look if i say you can't drink... then you can't drink... after all we have a war on drugs and it's extremely successful... so i have decided that we're finally going to get serious with our promise on the war on drugs and prohibit alcohol too... then we'll go after cigarettes... the coffee drinkers... and we'll keep ramping up our efforts on all drugs... you have no right to decide what you put in your body... i am from the government and we own you... why can;t you just accept that? i tell you what to think and how to act and what to consume... you don't have a choice in the matter... how dare you question my authority as a representative of the government... a representative of the people (you)? you will only consume the drugs i say you can... and alcohol is not on that list anymore!!!

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          • Profile picture of the author HeySal
            Originally Posted by mrozlat View Post

            look if i say you can't drink... then you can't drink... after all we have a war on drugs and it's extremely successful... so i have decided that we're finally going to get serious with our promise on the war on drugs and prohibit alcohol too... then we'll go after cigarettes... the coffee drinkers... and we'll keep ramping up our efforts on all drugs... you have no right to decide what you put in your body... i am from the government and we own you... why can;t you just accept that? i tell you what to think and how to act and what to consume... you don't have a choice in the matter... how dare you question my authority as a representative of the government... a representative of the people (you)? you will only consume the drugs i say you can... and alcohol is not on that list anymore!!!

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            Um.........Mr Rep? Could you please state your name? I feel a recall campaign comin' on.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Ah, I get it. To borrow words from my dear friend, Mr. Van, you're taking the piss, aren't you?
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    Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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  • Profile picture of the author GeoffTodd
    If we criminalize alcohol, we would be potentially locking up most of our country's college students.
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  • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
    Banned
    I love me Red Wine
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
    Cigarettes and Death

    Cigarette smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the United States each year. Cigarette smoking is estimated to cause the following:
    • More than 480,000 deaths annually (including deaths from secondhand smoke)
    • 278,544 deaths annually among men (including deaths from secondhand smoke)
    • 201,773 deaths annually among women (including deaths from secondhand smoke)

    Cigarette use causes premature death:
    • Life expectancy for smokers is at least 10 years shorter than for nonsmokers.1,2
    • Quitting smoking before the age of 40 reduces the risk of dying from smoking-related disease by about 90%.2
    CDC - Fact Sheet - Tobacco-Related Mortality - Smoking & Tobacco Use

    One... In... Five!!!


    Originally Posted by mrozlat View Post

    1-in-20 deaths are caused by alcohol
    The problem is not alcohol or tobacco. The problem is that many people are abdicating the responsibility side of the liberty/responsibility equation.

    Joe Mobley
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post


      The problem is not alcohol or tobacco. The problem is that many people are abdicating the responsibility side of the liberty/responsibility equation.

      Joe Mobley
      You can apply that to so many things
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      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Alcoholic beverages are FAR too easy to make ANYWAY! And MOST had SOME idea how to make them. As they always say: "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.". It is RARELY as true as it was during prohibition. People had all sorts of metal problems, and also methanol poisoning.

    Yeah, it was tried in the US. The result? People DIED from metal poisoning, methanol poisoning, and criminal related abuse and killings. The MOB GREW! Buildings were built with secret compartments to convert to all sorts of things. Police were bribed, etc....

    Steve
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