06-20-2011, 10:01 AM
You can't really separate prostitution and drugs at the moment -- the two "vices" are inextricably linked by the kinds of people who run them.
There are provisions for legitimate brothels in most states of Australia, which are run and taxed in exactly the same way as any other business (though they're quite restricted with regards to their location). Unfortunately, the criminal element remains because of the illicit drug trade and the stigma attached to both prostitution and drug use. Obviously there are certain drugs which can't be allowed in any responsible society -- heroin and methamphetamines come to mind immediately -- but there are many presently illegal substances that, with proper education, can be as safe as alcohol (which is to say, not entirely safe but if you're not stupid enough to overindulge or combine it with driving etc, then it's not really a problem). Removing the need to acquire these in a clandestine manner frees up law enforcement resources and allows people to make their own informed choices with minimal risk. And, as srijantje points out, tax goes a long way toward offsetting costs.
There are provisions for legitimate brothels in most states of Australia, which are run and taxed in exactly the same way as any other business (though they're quite restricted with regards to their location). Unfortunately, the criminal element remains because of the illicit drug trade and the stigma attached to both prostitution and drug use. Obviously there are certain drugs which can't be allowed in any responsible society -- heroin and methamphetamines come to mind immediately -- but there are many presently illegal substances that, with proper education, can be as safe as alcohol (which is to say, not entirely safe but if you're not stupid enough to overindulge or combine it with driving etc, then it's not really a problem). Removing the need to acquire these in a clandestine manner frees up law enforcement resources and allows people to make their own informed choices with minimal risk. And, as srijantje points out, tax goes a long way toward offsetting costs.
It could be worse