The Problem Of Drug Legalization

Drug decriminalization is opposed by the majority of Americans. Leaders in drug prevention, education, treatment, and law enforcement are against it, as are many political leaders. However, pro-drug advocacy groups, who support the use of drugs, are making headlines. They are influencing legislation and having a significant impact on the national policy debate in the United States. Although, pro-advocacy groups claim decriminalization of drugs will lower incarceration rates and boost the economy, drugs must stay illegal in America, if not, more people will use, causing negative effects on health, families and communities.

For many people, the thought of making drugs easily accessible for consumption by the masses may be frightening. After all, we have drug laws in place because they have the potential to be harmful. It also may not be difficult to imagine that it could very well be subject to failure due to a numerous amount negative externalities that may occur. Our nation has been engaged in a war on drugs for several decades now. The effectiveness of this war, however, is a topic that has continuously been debated. Some argue that universal legalization of drugs, an alternative that has never been tried, may have a greater benefits when compared to the present state of the war on drugs. On the other hand, the opposition believes that legalization would only pave the way for a vast amount of crime and many wasted resources.

With addiction rates rising every year, the overwhelming drug dilemma has opened the eyes of numerous governments around the world. This paper will discuss what decriminalization is and if decriminalizing drugs in the United States will lead to lower crime rates and lower incarceration rates. In addition, it will discuss the impact decriminalization will have on society, the effect it will have on the economy and finally how it influences the now addicted, should legalization occur. Currently, Portugal has decriminalized all drugs in every drug classification for recreational use. Furthermore, Colorado is the only state in the United States, to have decriminalized marijuana. In looking at the drug laws in Portugal, Colorado, Mexico, and the Netherlands this review will examine what appears to be working and not working of both decriminalizing and keeping certain drug classifications illegal. Multiple web-based articles, books, and peer-reviewed articles were the many sources used in researching this paper. Can drug decriminalization be a practical way to cut down on drug related crimes? Will it benefit society, boost the economy, and help the addict? Based on this research I have concluded at a federal level, the United States should decriminalize

The issue of drug abuse is a sad reality in every community, and drug prohibition is present across the globe. Whether it is under the guise of protection of family values, or public safety, prohibition disrupts more than it maintains. Many people view drugs as a problem but they can also be viewed as a problem solver. This essay will address the socioeconomic issues with prohibition of hard drugs, and argue for their legalization.

The United States has spent over 30 years fighting the war on drugs. Americans have paid a heavy price financially. The drug enforcement budget is now $40 billion. A lot of time, effort, and money go into America’s attempt in eliminating trafficking, dealing, and the use of illegal drugs. Many believe that this is a war worth fighting, while others feel that America will never conquer the war on drugs. The latter suggest legalization as an alternative plan that will help save the country millions of dollars. In this paper, I will examine the history of the drug war as well as the arguments for and against fighting the war on drugs.

Throughout time, United States drug policy has shifted dramatically. From all drugs being legal to Prohibition and the War on Drugs, the US has had conflicting ideas about what is best for society and American citizens when it comes to drugs. The current War on Drugs has resulted in countless arrests and years served in prison, and has disproportionately hurt minority communities, only to result in largely unchanged use and death rates for illicit substances. Marijuana, Heroin, and Cocaine have all become cheaper and more pure

If drugs were legalized, people would have taken advantage and become addict’s who then suffers all forms of social health. Such as becoming dangerous to others, overdosing, or damaging their ability to work and function properly. Keeping them from living a

I believe as a nation we have done well when it comes to learning from our mistakes; however, the debate over the issue of drugs in our country has truly caused turmoil throughout the nation. It is an issue that does not choose sides; rather it strikes every race, religion, and economic class across the country. We all have our beliefs about the topic of drugs in our country and how it impacts us as a whole. United States citizens believe that drugs are one of the major problems that this country is dealing with today. The belief that drugs are one of the leading contributors to elevated crime rates is what causes citizens in our country to view all drugs in a negative light. It is hard to disagree with people when you know their claims hold

There always seems to be debate on whether the decriminalization of drugs would be of great public interest. It is a very important and controversial issue that has many people wondering if legalizing drugs would be a right move or not. In the article, “Decriminalization Would Increase The Use and The Economic and Social Costs of Drugs” by David Mineta, Mineta argues about why drugs should not be decriminalized and how keeping illicit drugs illegal outweigh the possible negative consequences of legalizing these substances. Mineta himself writes that, “Our position is simple and evidence-based: both decriminalization and legalization of illicit drugs would increase their use, along with their associated health and social costs” (Americas Quarterly). According to Mineta the decriminalization of drugs will only allow more people to become addicted causing more health and social costs because seen as they will be more widely used. (Americas Quarterly)

The legalization of drugs has been and still is a controversial issue that is quite difficult to settle. Drugs can be harmful but very resourceful. It is used to relieve minor or major pains but could also send thousands to emergency rooms. Throughout this paper, you will learn about the brief history of the prohibition of drugs and how it led to the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. The factors that the prohibition brought will also be discussed in this paper and how the damages of prohibition led to the passing of the 21st Amendment, bringing back prohibited substances. In addition, reasons to why legalization of drugs should be considered like how it could reduce crime and mass incarceration of minorities in the justice system, as well as their importance in the medical field, will be stated in this paper also.

Drugs are a very big problem in the world and many deaths are caused by the wrong use of drugs, overdose and suicide. Everywhere you look people are affected by them and a lot of discussion over the drug issue occurs daily. Most of the people tend to drugs because they want to change something about their lives. They think drugs are a solution, so they use it as a way to escape from their problems or to relax or to just fit in the society. But eventually, the drugs become the problem. And the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problems one is trying to cope with them. Many people today calling for the legalization of the drugs especially the most widely used prohibited substance in the United States – Marijuana. People don’t

Drug legalization is an enduring question that presently faces our scholars. This issue embraces two positions: drugs should not be legalized and drugs should be legalized. These two positions contain an array of angles that supports each issue. This brief of the issues enables one to consider the strengths and weakness of each argument, become aware of the grounds of disagreement and agreement and ultimately form an opinion based upon the positions stated within the articles. In the article “Against the Legalization of Drugs”, by James Q. Wilson, the current status of drugs is supported. Wilson believes if a drug such as heroin were legalized there would be no financial or medical reason to avoid heroin usage;

The general population has not been capable enough to show appropriate handling of drugs. From the lack of knowledge, people misuse drugs in all ages, ordinarily from eighteen to thirty-six years of age. In fact there is evidence that is given to us about these irresponsible choices. Citizens have used drugs poorly such as smoking, snorting or sniffing on a daily routine, illegal transactions of heroin, cocaine, weed, etc. and overdose. Therefore, one of the leading causes of death in the United States is the incorrect utilization of drugs taken. In view of the fact that inhabitants use drugs for the an inappropriate purpose, consequently the government should not legalize all drugs for precautionary

Many of today’s experts take information from the earlier years of United States history. In addition, they use it to support the argument that legalization will, in fact, stop the black market from growing and selling these drugs. In the 1800s, there was a large movement for temperance, or anti-alcohol, which was started by physicians, ministers, and large employers concerned about their workers. By the mid-1800s, this movement had become one of the middle class. This movement was dedicated to showing and convincing people that alcoholic drinks eroded moral character as well as the physical and mental well-being of those who drank alcohol. The temperance supporters considered alcohol as people currently view heroin. From the beginning the temperance ideology was a powerful force in making

In the world today people are currently using different types of illegal and legal drugs. Drugs has been a big issue for the past years, but has become more concerning during the last ten years. Drugs have not only affected the users, but it has also affected everyone else. Other countries around the world have started drug wars which have lead to corruption, and increased crime rates. Drug use has been one of the major issues that America has been dealing with up until this day. Innocent lives have been taken, families have been broken, and education has been neglected all because of drug use. In America the most common drug that people use is Marijuana also known as pot, mary jane, and cannabis. In the essays “How Marijuana Really Affects the Brain” by Laura Tedesco and “Does Using Marijuana as a Teen Make You [sic] Dumber?” by German Lopez