Opinions - Turn yourself in day

[WilliamLee]

What do people think of 'Turn Yourself In Day'?

On this day people would be encouraged to turn themselves in to local law enforcement for drugs possession.

The legal system would grind to a halt, perhaps illuminating the impracticality of addressing the issue of drugs through criminalization. There would also be the ripple effect caused by so many ordinary people leaving their jobs.

Anyone think it would be possible to inspire a mass movement like that? Would there be enough people to completely overwhelm the already struggling prison system?

Would the idea be legal? It's not really inciting people to break the law - it's telling them to turn themselves in for a crime they're already guilty of.

(I've googled the idea, but can only find a few things discussing it)

Reputation Comments on this post:

An incredible idea. Thank you for sharing it.

[beentheredonethatagain]

I don't quite understand , is this something that is being asked , and by whom, or is this your idea to things gummed up. if it is something you read please post the original news article

[WilliamLee]

Originally Posted by beentheredonethatagain

I don't quite understand , is this something that is being asked , and by whom, or is this your idea to things gummed up. if it is something you read please post the original news article

It was an idea I had and decided to google. I can't find any information or opinions about it beyond the odd blog post. Just wondering what people think about it really.

[Joe-(5-HTP)]

This idea is absolute genius !
we need to brainstorm some ideas to get everyone involved...

the revolution: i can feel it !

[T.D]

I think this idea will have a serious lacking of people with balls to turn themselves in to the police for drugs posession. SWIM is one of them.

[Synesthesiac]

Originally Posted by T.D

I think this idea will have a serious lacking of people with balls to turn themselves in to the police for drugs posession. SWIM is one of them.

Probably here too. Though if there was a very large group of people (like hundreds) then I would certainly tag along. Though I would not want to be the person at the front of the queue.

I actually think this is a very good idea! Though finding wisespread support for it may be an issue. The police may just ask for a list of names of people there and say they will take action in future. Maybe just fine everyone. Would you give your name? .... It would all have to be thought through so it didn't backfire.

[bcubed]

No, I think the trick to frustrating the anti-drug authorities is to make each arrest and conviction (i.e. a "win" for the cops) as expensive as possible. If SWIY does get arrested, fight it, file as many continuances/changes of venue as possible, etc.

Also, if the cops had to run a sufficient number of wild goose chases, it'd cut into the time available to actually make legitimate drug arrests. Instead of tossing male pot plants, transplant them somewhere where they'd eventually bring a complaint, buy a container of poppy seeds from the spice aisle of the supermarket and sow them in a park, etc...

Since Lizard knows that he's going to be singled out by Homeland Security anyways, he's tempted to, say, chuck a 12oz soda can into the ol' gas tank and see if they can catch it!

(Granted, many of these measures would tend to piss off the Powers That Be something fierce, so I wouldn't recommend doing something that would single SWIY out personally, but it'd still be better than giving LE a bunch of arrests to brag about for virtually NO work!)

[Spare Chaynge]

swim would do it, but he does not do drugs. He thinks it would have a similar result as all the bus strike and marches in the 60s.

[doggy_hat]

SWIM wouldn't even turn himself in for a gram of pot, he doesn't want to have to piss in a cup for a parole officer.

Besides, I think the prison industry would be more than happy to build more facilities.

[Spare Chaynge]

Imagine though if 2,000 people all went to to local police station at once.

[beentheredonethatagain]

sorry but it would just give everyone a police record and cost money, the news it might make wouldnt really change anything, in my humble opion.

but it does show that your trying to come up with some leverage to make a statement.

see ya in jail.

[Joe Rogan]

So would it be just people who do drugs or drug activists also? Because SWIM does not do drugs anymore but would like to help in some way. SWIM thinks this could be a great idea for the public to witness.

[Matt The Funk]

It'd be such a radical movement... I don't know how effective it would be currently though, but it might open some eyes to how many people use illegal substances. I like the idea but couldn't see SWIM participating, unless he turned himself in for cannabis possession (since he could get it dropped). But I also like the idea of making it very costly for them, but I don't think now would be an appropriate time here in CA.

EDIT: I could see myself participating if enough people got involved, and the movement was big enough. I can see how more people might turn themselves in for cannabis possession over say...heroin, cocaine, meth, prescription pills, etc... But of course you wouldn't have to actually use to participate, and I'm sure there are plenty of sensible people who don't use, who see how our drug laws fail, people like those on this forum.

[jh80w]

Originally Posted by Matt The Funk

It'd be such a radical movement... I don't know how effective it would be currently though, but it might open some eyes to how many people use illegal substances. I like the idea but couldn't see SWIM participating, unless he turned himself in for cannabis possession (since he could get it dropped). But I also like the idea of making it very costly for them, but I don't think now would be an appropriate time here in CA.

Their is no better time then now, I will explain why a little later, but the fact of the matter as so many of you have expressed is that MOST people don't have the guts to go through with this plan. If it got some real momentum, then this could possibly have some real serious impact.

As to why it's the perfect time, I'm sure most everybody has heard about the downturn in our economy, much similar to the great depression where it took a war to get us out of. If the drug laws where reformed, drugs would be taxed, and with so many users their would be tons of new money the government would be collecting.

[Synesthesiac]

Originally Posted by jh80w

As to why it's the perfect time, I'm sure most everybody has heard about the downturn in our economy, much similar to the great depression where it took a war to get us out of. If the drug laws where reformed, drugs would be taxed, and with so many users their would be tons of new money the government would be collecting.

This makes me very happy thinking this could happen. I seriously doubt it though, the govenment has created such a virilant anti-drug culture in the general popualtion it would be very hard for them to do this now. They are victims of their own rhetoric. Public support is about 70% against drugs at the moment from the recent polls if I remember correctly. As long as this number is above 50%, the govenment wont budge.

...unless they are really desparate.

[yaba]

Why would anyone turn himself in ??
can't see the anything good coming from it.

[Synesthesiac]

Originally Posted by yaba

Why would anyone turn himself in ??
can't see the anything good coming from it.

The point is that if all the millions of responsible drugs users flooded the police stations police would not be able to cope, neither would the court systems, niether any drug enforcement agency, or the prison systems. It would get a lot of publicity and people would realise how stupid drug laws are, how unrealistic it would be to put them all in jail, and that most people who use drugs are not evil murderers, criminals or rapists like the media makes out.

...Whether it would work is another issue.

[WilliamLee]

Some interesting feedback ^_^ A movement like this would need a lot of momentum to get off the ground I suppose, but it would make a pretty poignant statement if successful.

SWIM wouldn't even turn himself in for a gram of pot, he doesn't want to have to piss in a cup for a parole officer. Besides, I think the prison industry would be more than happy to build more facilities.

I guess this would be another ripple effect of the movement. If enough people turn themselves in then it will cost a lot to 'rehabilitate' them. If every person requested the maximum amount of support etc. available.

I'll keep this in mind if I ever start my revolutionary movement :P

[Joe-(5-HTP)]

If they try to just pass it off by fining everyone- just refuse to pay the fines. I think i would indubitably join in if i saw 100 or so people going to my local station with the knowledge that it was happening all over the country.

But to set something like this up, we would need organisers and volunteers in charge of certain geographical areas, generating support and making sure everyone is up for it. People who would support the action if there were huge numbers involved could give their name and email address and could then they could all be contacted easily. These organisers could then report the status of their "cell" haha- to the main administration and when numbers are high enough, probably twice what we would need to be on the safe side, we can go for it !

Any rich people here feel like funding such a thing?...

[jh80w]

Originally Posted by Joe-(5-HTP)

If they try to just pass it off by fining everyone- just refuse to pay the fines. I think i would indubitably join in if i saw 100 or so people going to my local station with the knowledge that it was happening all over the country.

But to set something like this up, we would need organisers and volunteers in charge of certain geographical areas, generating support and making sure everyone is up for it. People who would support the action if there were huge numbers involved could give their name and email address and could then they could all be contacted easily. These organisers could then report the status of their "cell" haha- to the main administration and when numbers are high enough, probably twice what we would need to be on the safe side, we can go for it !

Any rich people here feel like funding such a thing?...

This topic in general has really sparked my mind and caught my interest, I hope someday I will have the fame, followers, and money to lead like minded people in this quest.

[drug-bot]

if its here in america all that'd happen is youd go to jail for possesion and im sure consprisary charges(attempt to overthrow legal sytem or someother hyped up charge) would be applictable. the prison industry would love it, fuck all ready here in 'the land of the free' we have the highest actual number and people per capita somewhere in the prison system than anyother nation in the world (and the majority in jail and prison are there for drug related offences), fuck its so bad were actually francising jails and prisons to private buisness groups now, thats right we have mother fucking for profit prisons.

[doggy_hat]

Originally Posted by drug-bot

if its here in america all that'd happen is youd go to jail for possesion and im sure consprisary charges(attempt to overthrow legal sytem or someother hyped up charge) would be applictable. the prison industry would love it, fuck all ready here in 'the land of the free' we have the highest actual number and people per capita somewhere in the prison system than anyother nation in the world (and the majority in jail and prison are there for drug related offences), fuck its so bad were actually francising jails and prisons to private buisness groups now, thats right we have mother fucking for profit prisons.

That's my main concern for why such a movement wouldn't be effective. It would give the enemy a massive boost in business, while leading to many people to end up getting charged for a crime with no gain. I don't think police would be able to arrest every protester if the movement gained enough momentum in the drug community, they'd most likey just randomly pick out as many protesters as they can handle and arrest them on the spot, and collect info on the rest and take them to court when they get have the resources available.

[Sven99]

I really like the idea in theory, but I don't think many people would be willing to do it. Which is a shame, because it would make a truly awesome public protest.

[honourableone]

I have heard this idea discussed before, and it is a good idea, but there are far too many problems with it. This would only work with marijuana users (both in the sense of having enough volunteers, and having a chance of doing some good), and thus could only be done in places where marijuana possession would lead to court or jail time (or with each volunteer having a LOT ot weed).

SWIM would volunteer, but a criminal record prevents people getting so many different jobs, so it would make him finishing university (and prett much his whole life of effort before that obsolete). If he know that he could return home to his job, or he already had enough of a record for it not to matter then he would happily spend a few months in prison (well, not happily). The thing is though, people with respected positions and no previous criminal records would be the ones to make the most difference (maybe reitred stoners could help).

Ultimately though, if this actually got off the ground and lots of people agreed to it, I can see very few of them actually going through with it. I'm just picturing one guy walking into a police station with a bag of weed, being really pissed off at all the people that lied to him on the internet and feeining like a complete idiot.

[Anonabyss]

Originally Posted by WilliamLee

Anyone think it would be possible to inspire a mass movement like that? Would there be enough people to completely overwhelm the already struggling prison system?

No. Not enough people would be willing. Everyone that did it would just get fucked over.