Apologies TallMike, I only became aware of it from a reference in the news that was undated and mainly about the seemingly slow march towards civil unrest. I was unaware of the index so looked it up.

I think they are fleeing worse or no democracies KnightTime. That along with violence from drug cartels and other criminal gangs.

I think it's about time, after many decades of frankly failed drug policies around the world to try a different approach.

We're seeing it with legalised canabis, but it may be worth trailing a new approach to all drugs. Make them legally available through pharmacies with a supply controlled by the government - we already do this for most pharmaceuticals anyway. If an addict wants to get some, they register as an addict and receive measured doses of medical grade product that is consistent in make up. At the same time they receive counselling and health advice, get check ups etc. You still have enforeceble driving under the influence legislation.

What you've done though is smash the supply chain. You still target illicit drug importation and make heavy penalties outside the legal supply chain.

Essentially Australia adopted a similar strategy with asylum seekers arriving by boat. You target the business model of the crooks and make it unsellable.

We have also of course done it with alcohol, probably the most damaging drug of them all because of its social acceptance and resulting bad behaviour. It needs to be seen as uncool to be drunk in public. It was very noticeable while in Prague a few years ago how alcohol was consumed openly in public and at all hours, yet almost nobody was drunk on the streets behaving badly. When I asked the locals they told me it was very socially unacceptable. Shame we're a long way from that attitude in Australia.

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While sleepy, I got stuck. Found a pair immediately after a nap. But still some slow spots. 16.