Drug Freeland Part 9 The Summary

In my previous posts in this series I have tried to show the means by which a free society can confront and limit the problem of drug abuse.

I have tried to show that a free society can deal with destructive behaviour, far more effectively than can the state.

There are many other angles that could be covered but I hope I've made my point.

New Freeland will legalise all personal vices, but the citizenry will be under no obligation to tolerate, endorse or support them.

Any New Freelander will have ready access to any drug he or she chooses, or can afford. No state agency will in any way interfere.

However other New Freelanders will have many ways to express their disapproval. They will be able to attempt to turn the drug fiend from his chosen path through persuasion, ostracism, withdrawl of material support, or legal action if the abuser's actions intrude into their space.

Drug abuse in New Freeland will be a very unnattractive activity indeed.

I hope this series gets people thinking.

I once rejected libertarianism as being too willing to tolerate evil. Now I see my mistake.

Libertarianism is the tough but true option, the real long term way to improve ourselves and society.

Libertarians believe in confronting evil directly, not relying on the state to do it for them.

Many conservatives, or classic liberals believe that libertarians want a society where irresponsible self indulgence is the highest ideal. While they often agree with us on economics, they are horrified at the thought of legalising dangerous drugs, the sex industry, gambling and other vices.

I believe a truly free society will do for moral standards and personal responsibility what free markets do for business.

Freedom raises standards. Free markets raise business standards. Free societies raise moral standards.

A free society will not be awash with drugs and vice. Those things will exist, just as they do now. The difference will be that private citizens will have a whole range of effective tools to deal with them and minimise their damage.

Human societies are improved, not by government bans, or ever heavier legislation, but by increased levels of personal responsibility.

You cannot force people to be responsible. Responsibility can only be chosen.

The society that maximises choice, will therefore also maximise responsibilty.

I hope I have made my case clear. Freedom will do more to reduce drug abuse and other social problems, than any amount of state interference.

Liberalising drug laws on their own however, could have a big negative impact on the libertarian cause.

Better to prioritise freeing up the more positive aspects of our society, so that when drugs are fully liberalised, society is well eqipped to deal with the results.