In Canada, probably in the rest of the world too, but to my certain knowledge in Canada:

- weed is freely available everywhere, legalization will not affect the availability

- most of the population have tried it even if they didn't inhale

- most people are not on hard drugs despite trying weed

- those who are on hard drugs will have tried weed. They'll also have tried poutine (perhaps after the weed) but correlation isn't causation

- the typical gateway to meth and heroin is prescription pain killers

- the volume of drugs widely available is such that the authorities have no hope of prosecuting all the vendors so they concentrate on public health. This means focusing on fentanyl to such an extent that it's now takes an effort to get busted for selling anything else or even operating a grow op.

- legalizing marijuana is an issue for the authorities because drug cases typically turn on the legality of the search. So long as marijuana is illegal "smelled weed" is probable cause for a search, "smelled cocaine" is not.

- the standard of driving, at least in the GTA, is such that those drivers who are not drunk could use a spliff.

Sadly i can't say I disagree with any of the above.

the point about prescription painkillers is particularly true. Despite there being a well documented issue with over prescribing of painkillers and a lucrative black market in them, I couldn't believe the quantities in which I was prescribed them for a simple tooth extraction.

I didn't fill the script. Tylenol was all that was needed

I completely agree. I had a wisdom tooth out a couple of years ago. Not a big deal. A prescription for 30 Tylenol 3s?

Really?

Ooo I like them. Still got any?

No. I flogged them at the local high school.

Ty3 are very useful to have a ready supply but even those with only 8mg Codeine are not bad.

But last I heard they were going to change even those to needing a prescription.

If I'd known you could have sold some ritalin and oxycodone for me.

Worth keeping a few painkillers for emergencies, but I consider the Ritalin a no-no for anyone with an old heart. I think they used to be the rage on the street here mixed with Talwin to make a sort of kitchen heroin.

Like nuclear war or alien invasion.

Souvy.

Yes, I live in Canada.
I am 76 years old------What you would probably call a " dinosaur "
You too will be older and wiser one day.

Just kidding!

Eh?
i don't think Souvy commented. It might have been me. Dunno.

But I'm already old and wiser thanks. Have been all my life.

I was going to quote the Le Dain Commission when this came up but let it ride.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Dai...l_Use_of_Drugs
"About 12,000 people attended and participated in these hearings, which included testimony from a number of prominent individuals including John Lennon on 22 December 1969 in Montreal, Quebec.[3]"

[Originally Posted by Novocastrian S/hes aso younger than us, I think."]

DPD courier who was fined for day off to see doctor dies from diabetes

Unbelievable, isn't it.

That is just terrible. The article referring to Victorian times I think sums it up nicely.
Poor man having to go through that and poor family to be left behind...
The article was a bit too close to home. While hubby was looking for a job he worked for 8 months as a courier. He’s 53 and diabetic... to earn the money you have to work a 12/14 hr day which doesn’t really leave much time for your health.
Thankfully there was never any suggestion of being fined but he never went to any doctors appointments during that time, only taking time off for interviews.
This is 2018 right?