I would say for some, that definitely is the motivation. However, me and a number of my friends grew up in areas that probably frequent crimewatch often. We didn't come from well off homes. We had good parents pushing us in the right direction. I think a lot of the blame has to be held at the parents doors. It is obviously easy for me to say that, but I do believe that is the case. A number of people from where I grew up were "affiliated" so to speak, but never involved. Went to school / college / uni and had friends who did what they did, but they never followed suit and never did it themselves. When you grow up in horrible shytehole places, young kids often look up to the young lads, they've got cars, money, respect.. etc etc. Think it's a good way of life. Get so involved, that they can't un-involve (if that's a real world rofl) themselves as they've got criminal records, etc etc.. no employer will touch them. They sort of condemn themselves to a life of "illegitimate" living, it's a one-way road.

Parents need to get there kids out more and show them there is more to life.

That's like saying there's no point in jailing drug/arms/people smugglers. They're all guilty of just having something they shouldn't too.

If there was no punishment for being caught they'd simply do it again, like someone found carrying a knife would. If you'd just been inside for 5 years it might not make your keys, phone, wallet checklist for going out in future.

Realistically, I'd say the first one really is a product of failure of the state to realise its fighting a war against what a significant percentage of the population want - and that prohibition, like in the 20s, has created a greater problem than drug addiction - and that the problem of drug use in society smaller than the consequences of drug related crime.

But I certainly agree with the other two - I'd argue that the latter two are ethically and morally indefensible. Where as the first is a by product of a moral panic and the desire of the 'upper working and middle classes' to control behaviour they consider deviant.

In the US you have situations where non-violent drug offenders are doing 55 years for 3oz of methamphetamine, which is more than most murderers will serve.

that said, if you legalised tomorrow, those serving time for major drug offences, should not be pardoned or released either.

Anti-intellectualism is the plague of the modern age. Fame, celebrity etc and so much is fostered on the idea that success and a good life is our entitlement - and the options of overcoming problems like poor education are very limited. I think it must be very difficult for people who've f**ked up their education to actually get anywhere in life - and that the options for overcoming those problems are sporadic.

Our culture reflects a promotion of the idea that success is measured in status, celebrity and wealth, rather than individual personal achievement in life.

And this is a problem, because the rise of 'reality stars' creates a platform that fosters the idea that people can be a success just by being themselves - Whilst work as a means of escaping poverty has become increasingly less viable.

People are actually celebrated for their ignorance in our society, whilst people who have achieved great scientific or artistic achievement and contributions tend to be ignored.