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About this quote

What does it mean?
Drug harms like those from cocaine are serious but comparable to harms from legal substance misuse. This suggests inconsistency in how society treats different substances.
In plain terms
Illegal drugs cause harm but so do legal substances used poorly.
What can you take from it?
Legal and illegal substances can cause similar harms.

Where it applies

  • drug policy debates
  • legalization discussions
  • public health

Putting it to work

  • evaluate substances by harm not status
  • consider legal substance risks
  • review drug laws

Questions to consider

  • Should all harmful substances be regulated equally?
  • How do we balance personal choice and public safety?

Another view

Some substances pose unique societal risks requiring different legal treatment.

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