Two South Boston meth dealers nabbed as result of anonymous tips from residents sick of their crap, police say

Portugal is a largely rural country of 10 million people, so any comparison is suspect. That said, their incarceration rate has increased by 15% over the last 8 years. Maybe things there aren't exactly as you present them.

Still, I did not exactly endorse "the drug war." I am a big supporter of drug treatment for individuals. But I do believe in prison for trafficking hard drugs like meth, heroin and fentanyl.

Cessation of subsidies or allowances that a person receives from a public agency.

Point out this penalty

Many factors (should) go into a possession with intent to distribute charge. As you may or may not know most junkies don't plan for they day by buying several small bags and then have them on them when dealing with police. But it could happen. Do they have cash? How many bags? Do they have empty bags with them? Do they have other drug making items with them (often times the lack of personal use paraphernalia indicates an intent to distribute)? How were they encountered? Do they have a history of dealing? Can they tell you where they got them from? Are they high when encountered? Do they have multiple cell phones?

The quantity is almost the biggest factor, not how they are packaged. Also in most cases those who possess for personal use are almost always cooperative with police because they know that when they cooperate (even if they get arrested) they usually get out pretty quick and are rarely imprisoned for the possession.

But you are right, it isn't always black and white and isn't a simple call.

But the six pack analogy doesn't really work because if alcohol was prohibited six packs wouldn't exist (but for the sake of argument it is interesting, a six pack is a symbol of personal use but could also be a tool for a "dealer" to distribute beer to alcoholics that may only have enough money for one beer at time?)

Listen to what Cybah has to say. This is a person who has direct knowledge of what's going on out there.

uh no.

First off, you're right. Amphetamine junkies have been around forever.

METHamphetamine has not. Big difference there. Same class of drugs (stimulants) but chemically are different. amphetamine junkies have been around since the 1950s everywhere, but METHamphetamine is a relatively new thing. (if you think the 1980s is 'new')

As far as my experience in Atlanta, my point was less about Atlanta but more than METHamphetamine usage hadn't really gotten that far east yet.

Diet pills made from the same active ingredient as meth were very widely prescribed, leading to a situation similar to what we now see that started with prescription opiates.

Completely legal, completely abused. Mother's little helper, indeed. Most of us knew "that mom" who was not only fucking crazy on the things, she had so many that you could sneak them (and sell or use them). My aunt had a script for a time - most "overweight" women could just ask for them from as many doctors as they cared to.

Better living through chemistry!

The Nazis gave them to soldiers and pilots and ended up having to cut back because of the predictable results of methed up aggro warriors with reduced inhibitions turning on their command officers.