Legalization of Drugs - Essay Example

? Legalization of Drugs The issue of legalizing illegal drugs has attracted a heated debate in the past decades. There aremany issues revolving around the issue. This paper will evaluate the positions of the proponents of legalization of these drugs as well as positions of those against the topic. Legalization of Drugs Introduction The issue of legalization of illegal drugs has been a heated debate for the past decades. It is apparent that this topic has contentious issues attached to it, since; it affects both the users of these drugs and society as a whole both negatively and positively. However, before entering to the discussion about whether these drugs need to be legalized or not, it is necessary first to understand what drugs are. According to Gottfried, (2010), drugs are chemical components that are taken by individuals and have effect on how body works or functions. However, not all drugs are unsuitable. Medicines are legal drugs, but they help fight diseases and help the body function better. Nonetheless, some drugs are illegal. These are drugs that are addictive and have negative effects on human beings. Rationale of society and drugs The issue of legalizing drugs draws mixed reactions because different cultures have different views regarding the use and significance of these drugs. For example, some societies believe that the use of some drugs like marijuana has some spiritual significance attached to it (Gottfried, 2010). Cultures like Rasta movement popularly practiced in Jamaica believe that using marijuana is holy and has no harm using it. They believe that since marijuana is herb created by God and has the capability to make one feel high, should be legalized. On the other hand, some people highly believe in use of these drugs as a recommendation from traditional medicine men and women who recommend them to their patients. For example, “Marijuana, is said to have important therapeutic effects and its seeds are highly nutritious” (Gottfried, 2010, 28). However, this has been met with considerable controversy. “Marijuana has been said to relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms occasioned by such illnesses as cancer and HIV/AIDS” (Aquino, 2005, 1). With such deliberations, many people tend to take advantage of such findings, and abuse the drug. It is crucial to note that even if some researches indicate such importance of marijuana, it should be only used under directions of a qualified medical practitioner. Proponents’ of view on legalization of illegal drugs Proponents of legalization of illegal drugs argue that legalizing drugs is the only solution to win the war against these drugs. It is true that the war against illegal drugs is an expensive undertaking. According to Worth, (2010), it involves expensive training of police officers and other agents in the war against drugs. In fact, proponents argue that the government can make large sums of revenue from the sale of these drugs instead of wasting a lot of resources to fight the same business that would otherwise benefit it. They believe this is the war the government can not win because dealers of these drugs invent new strategy to evade police arrest every new day. At the same time, they claim that if these drugs are legalized, many people will make money by involving themselves in the drug business. Charles, (2008) noted that “this goes hand in hand with the idea that drugs encourage and attract criminal activities” (43). To counteract this, the proponents of legalizing these drugs argue that people engage in criminal activities due to unemployment and idleness (Gottfried, 2010). It is surprising how they argue that drug use is a personal decision, and it involves the life of the user. They argue that those that take these drugs have personal benefits accrued from these drugs. Some cite the importance of leisure, which is obtained from these drugs, and they argue that “all people have a right to choose the kind of leisure to have from the available choices” (Worth, 2010, 58). Opponent’s of view on legalization of illegal drugs Opponents of legalization of these drugs believe that if these drugs are legalized, it means that the number of crimes will increase, the health of the users will deteriorate, and this will affect the socioeconomic status of the society as a whole (Charles, 2008). In the event of fight against drugs, many things have emerged as a result of the complexity of this issue. According to Worth, (2010), many drug users tend to be rebellious on the fight, and in the course, they become criminals as they try to defend themselves from the police. Studies have indicated that some people tend to commit crime due to the influence of drugs. Surprisingly, others commit crimes as a form of satisfaction of their highness feeling acquired from these drugs. Illegal drugs are known for their side effects on the users. They are addictive and form a kind of routine to the users (Worth, 2010). They become slaves of these drugs. This facilitate the rate of crimes on the grounds that when these people get addicted, and lack money to buy these drugs, they look for means easily to obtain money to buy these drugs, and the only easiest way for them is through stealing. This is where the issue of gangs emanates. They form groups of gangs who steal from motorists, snatches people belongings along the streets and in the event, they are forced to commit murder in order to conceal the evidence. On the other hand, some drugs are fatal to the extent of causing individuals to commit suicide. They are also known to cause drugs related illnesses some of which are very fatal (Worth, 2010). Treatment of these diseases is expensive, and this leads to individuals using all the money and resources they have in order to seek medical attention. This consequently leaves them in a state of poverty. On the argument that the government can generate some income from illegal drugs business, Gottfried, (2010) argued that the same income generated from these drugs will be channeled in healthcare services to be able to buy enough medicines and hire more medical personnel for the treatment of drug related illnesses. Additionally, it is widely known that, in any business, there is the issue of competition. The same case would apply to drug business, and in this case, the completion would amount to unfair competition, whereby the rich and might drug business persons would use all means to eliminate their competitors from the market. They would use all the powers within their capacity to venture in to power in order to use their positions to manipulate the poor. The money they obtain from drug business would be used to bribe the poor (who in one way or another are poor because of the effects of these drugs) to win their votes during elections. The worst of it is that they would use the money to buy medicine drugs for the sick (who have drug related sicknesses) as a token to them. Conclusion With facts of both sides articulated, it is clear that although there are a few benefits accrued from legalizing illegal drugs; destruction caused by these drugs outdoes these benefits. The users are the first hit by impacts of these drugs. The harm they cause on their health is adverse. The next victims of these drugs are the family and relatives of the users. They undergo psychological and emotional stress in the effort try to come to terms with the condition of their family members under drugs. They spend their resources in the effort to settle their medical expenses. In a broader sense, the whole society is indirectly affected by these drugs. The government spends a lot of resources to cater for issues related with drugs. This ranges from fight against illegal drugs and healthcare services for drug users and addicts. Therefore, being one of the opponents of legalization of illegal drugs, I believe legalizing these drugs would affect all people in one way or another. Funds and resources allocated by the government to deal with drugs would otherwise be used to develop other sectors of the economy. References: Aquino, G. (2005). Medicinal Marijuana: A Legitimate appetite stimulant? Nutrition Bytes. UC Los Angeles: UCLA, 10, 1: 1-5. Charles, B. R. (2008). Why Drug Legalization Should Be Opposed. Criminal Justice Ethics, 17, 1: 7-12. Gottfried, T. (2010). Should drugs be legalized? Brookfield, Conn.: Twenty-First Century Books. Worth, R. (2010). Illegal drugs: condone or incarcerate? New York: Marshall Cavendish. Read More