Frequent Homicides Linked to Marijuana Use: PETER HITCHENS Imparts Controversial Opinions on SARAH VINE During Confrontational Mail Podcast
In the latest episode of the Mail's Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast, acclaimed broadcaster Peter Hitchens attributed the rise of rampage killings in Western societies to the normalization of mind-altering drugs. This assertion comes in response to a tragic incident in Liverpool, where a 53-year-old man, allegedly under the influence of drugs, drove his car into a group of celebrating football fans.
Hitchens argued that more should be done to restrict access to substances that can lead to 'madness.' He claimed that the incidence of rampage killings, where an individual kills several innocent people in a brief span, has become commonplace in many major societies. According to him, this trend is a result of the profound changes in societal norms since the 1950s and 60s.
The podcast hosts delved into the topic, with Hitchens contending that there is a reluctance to acknowledge any connection between drug use, particularly marijuana, and violent insanity. He pointed to high-profile cases such as Anders Breivik, a steroid user, and the New Zealand mosque attacker, who were also reported to have used steroids.
Sarah Vine countered her co-host's arguments, suggesting that psychotic individuals often seek out drugs, and it is not necessarily the substances themselves that contribute to the perpetrator's underlying mental illness. She also argued that the prohibition of drugs like cannabis fosters a black market that actively promotes a more potent product.
Research on the topic is inconclusive, with some studies showing a tenuous link between marijuana use and the propensity to commit violent crimes, while others suggest the opposite - with violence decreasing in areas where dispensaries open.
The debate on drug normalization and its potential impact on society continues, with the most substantial factors in rampage killings remaining access to firearms, mental health, and social or ideological influences. While the normalization of mind-altering drugs, specifically marijuana, has not been conclusively linked to an increase in rampage killings, the ongoing debate highlights the need for continued research and careful policymaking.
- The ongoing debate encompasses the normalization of mind-altering drugs like marijuana and its potential effects on society, particularly in relation to rampage killings.
- Sarah Vine argues that psychotic individuals often seek out drugs, suggesting that it might not be the substances themselves that significantly contribute to a perpetrator's underlying mental illness.
- Peter Hitchens, in contrast, contends that more should be done to restrict access to substances that can lead to 'madness,' associating the rise in rampage killings with their normalization.
- The podcast also discussed the connection between drug use, especially marijuana, and violent insanity, citing high-profile cases like Anders Breivik and the New Zealand mosque attacker, who were reported to have used steroids.
