Much of the hype about drugs ignores the fact that they're dangerous because for all we know, 50% or more of what is sold as ecstasy may be rat poison or something equally toxic. How do you legislate to stop people doing what they want to do? Many people want to take substances, including alcohol, that alter their mood or consciousness. Most people are able to do it without causing themselves or others excessive harm. It could be argued that the likelihood of harm would be reduced even further by a regulated industry which restricts supply, provides warnings to consumers and monitors the content of what is sold.

There will be always people who could be described as having addictive personalities. But it could be argued that their addictions may have more to do with their personalities than with the substance they take. Can it be argued that if drugs were regulated it would be more difficult for addicts to acquire large quantities of them? There would be warnings about their use or misuse. Sale could be restricted. Content and quality would meet certain standards...

It's time to debate whether all we've done in the past has progressed the issue at all. If the situation is not improving, and it appears it's not, we might have to think of other strategies. I simply don't know. But I think the arguments are worth ventilating. . . read more

What do you think about this type of social experiment? Is it right to play around with something so serious? Tell us and remember...Disqus!  . . read more

If the shock of Egypt’s unexpected uprising and success has a debt to anything, it is journalism. The lack of raw power only hides the strong impact that this trade has. Journalists themselves look timid, out of place, running around perhaps accompanied by a cameraman, harmless mischief-makers. But Egypt showed how everyone’s a journalist, how journalism embodies the voices of the people and gives them an outlet that reverberates throughout the globe- by Sumer Dayal (UNSW, Sydney)  . . read more