should drug addicts be sterilised ?

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Juo

I dont know if everyone had a better quality of life people wouldn't feel the need to turn to drugs in the first place or just educating people more about drugs.

Plenty of drug addicts come from well off backgrounds. Some people will always want to adjust the way they feel through the use of narcotics, its a way of life.

You can either go all out and criminalise the users and dealers with draconian punishments or the other way any legalise the lot but give as much education and advice as possible to reduce the harm caused.

Personally either way would suit me, the current criminalise the dealers and help the users doesn't seem to work particularly well.

[Juo]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Bit of a strong statement there. What about people who are sterilised for other reasons (be they medical or voluntary)? Are they dehumanised too?.

Probably shouldn't have used dehumanised there, the act of someone getting sterilised voluntary is not the same as waving a carrot infront of someone addicted to drugs, thats the dehumanising part if you will.

She might as well just give them a wrap when they leave the clinic, just because she's giving them some money its all ok? We all know what they are going off to spend it on. Im probably not articulating my point well enough and I certainty dont want to offend anyone thats had the snip voluntarily or for medical reasons

I also feel like we have an extremely hypocritical culture, im sure we all indulge in alcohol and maybe even tobacco, certainly pain killers etc but as soon as someone lights up a spill or takes some MDMA suddenly they are wrong for doing so.... it doesn't make much sense to me.

Obviously some drugs are slightly more moorish than others (and more or less detrimental to a 'users' health), I guess thats where the problem lies, at the end of the day most humans will pick their poison, so I guess what im saying is why do we have a society where we need to be constantly drugged up all the time? (on legal or illegal substances) doesn't anyone else think its just a symptom of a much larger illness?

I can also see a downside. The downside is, of course, what is the addict going to go through if they do get clean and should be in a position to both want and care for a baby properly.

Thats exactly why its annoys me, perhaps a huge incentive for them getting clean in the future could have been having and caring for a child, its not exactly the same but I know the moment my fathers first born was out he quit smoking that day so as not to affect her health. Obviously im not saying quitting smoking and quitting heroin, crack cocaine etc is anywhere near the same but it does give me food for thought.

Personally either way would suit me, the current criminalise the dealers and help the users doesn't seem to work particularly well.

I agree so perhaps its time for a new approach, im just not sure permanent sterilisation is the answer.

I don't think we are winning in the war on drugs and I agree we need a really radical idea to combat drugs but steralisation is not that radical answer either.In fact it's a very disturbing idea and I wish this woman would take her ideas back to the US.

In some cases it is the act of having children that most aids recovery of many drug addicts
I agree with Juo on this one ,this is not the right way to go ,i don't know what is ,but i'm darn sure it ain't sterilisation

[colin25]

part of me agrees, as bringing a child into that life could be so wrong for some
But I could equally see others benefiting, and using the gift of a child as a positive influence

Torn between both ways..damn..and now I've got that song in my head (torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool)

On balance, I would expect the families to be rigorously monitored ...and sterilised if they screw up..no pun intended

off with the..you know the phrase

[Stuart]

Well, I watched a program on the BBC on it earlier.

I am still in two minds. While I do find the idea of essentially paying someone to get themselves sterilised a little distasteful, I can see how it could be better than the alternative.

The alternative being in this case babies that will have severe physical and mental problems, and may well be in a situation where despite needing more love and care than other children, they are going to be stuck with parents who are just looking for the next fix, so will almost forget the babies.

[Gary L]

I'd be interested in the legalities involved. waving £200 in a drug addicts face giving them a condition of having to do this in order to receive a potential £200 worth of drug money.

they're vulnurable state of mind at the time could be used as evidence at a later date.

[Hom3r]

I would say no, as what would happen when they got themselves clean and are able to contribute to society?

Look at Davina Mccall, she was a major drug addict, and how well as she done since going clean.

[crimeRhyme]

Originally Posted by Chris

The joe is back and we're all a-quiver;
What hard-hitting poetry will he deliver?
But something's wrong with his streetwise sound
And I'm all cut up over what I found.
Just two little things are necessary:
Some viable scansion and a dictionary.

ok shakespjere i am sorry i am not on form, school was never my good point.

---------- Post added at 22:41 ---------- Previous post was at 22:40 ----------

Originally Posted by Julian

There was a young man called Jack
Addicted to drugs such as crack
There were numerous calls
To cut of his balls
It won't stop him needing his smack.

juilian baby, you are a poet,
and we all no it.

bravo .

[frogstamper]

Whilst there is a case that chaotic users should be steered and encouraged onto some form of long term contraception, this organization absolutely stinks.
This is exactly how the Nazis started by picking on a group of vulnerable people, as Hugh has said above what about all the smokers and drinkers? would it be acceptable to bribe them?
Also what on earth is this American woman doing over here inflicting here morals on UK citizens? surely their are more than enough "customers" in the US for her to "save".
If we as a country accept this just because the people in question are addicts, then to coin a much over-used phrase, "this really is the thin edge of the wedge".