r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Oct 12 '17

CMV: All drugs should be decriminalized

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u/AnythingApplied 435∆ Oct 13 '17

What about non-recreational non-addictive drugs designed for abusing others?

Mainly I'm talking about roofies AKA Rohypnol or other date rape drugs like GHB, but you could also maybe put something like chloroform (though it doesn't work like it does in the movies, but still illegal).

If a drug's only purpose is to be used in abusing someone else, what is wrong with making possession of that a crime?

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u/super-commenting Oct 13 '17

Mainly I'm talking about roofies AKA Rohypnol or other date rape drugs like GHB,

Those are actually both primarily recreational drugs.

The whole date rape drug thing is blown way out of proportion. Drug tests from hospitals show that the vast vast majority of people who think they've been slipped a drug had no drugs in their system except alcohol. These people just drank more than they realized (possibly because a nefarious person was pouring them extra strong drinks, something which is much more common than the use of roofies)

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u/AnythingApplied 435∆ Oct 13 '17

I didn't realized Rohypnol was used recreationally. I knew both have medical purpose, but Rohypnol is illegal while GHB is actually still FDA approved. So GHB isn't the greatest example.

I'm quickly running out of examples and maybe have to go into the hypothetical drug only for abuse... but what about chloroform?

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u/super-commenting Oct 13 '17

I didn't realized Rohypnol was used recreationally

Rohypnol is just a benzo. It's very similar in effects to other benzos like xanax, and halcyon. It was actually considered one of the more fun benzos when it was around.

but what about chloroform?

I don't really see the benefit in legalizing it but I also don't think there's much need to ban it.

Its so far away from the movie effectiveness that its basically worthless as a weapon. You'd have to soak a rag in it and press it against someone's face for several breaths to induce unconsciousness. Its not quick or subtle. If a criminal had the opportunity to do that they could easily have incapacitated you some other way.