Should drugs be legalised?

Question

This is a question for an assignment in Philosophy. Your opinions and reasons would be great, also if you can reference your answer or tell me of some scholarly sites/journals/books.

Answer 1

I guess the philosophical issue is whether the state should decide for its citizens what's good for them. If you arrange a number of issues (no using in public, only selling in certified stores, perhaps a higher insurance premium to cover increased health risks), no real harm is done to society if drugs are legalized. Therefore, why should the state not allow the individual his/her free choice? The difference between "drugs" and "other drugs" like caffein, tobacco and alcohol is only gradual.

The benefits of legalization are clear: increased tax revenues, collapse of an entire criminal business, falling prices which leads to a fall in petty drugs-related crime (drugs become more affordable).

Experience in countries where drugs have been (partially) legalized shows that it does NOT cause an increase of users. For example, 9.7% of young males in Holland ('legalized') use softdrugs at least once per month, against 16.4% in Spain (prohibited).

Answer 2

Drugs is important to cure ones sickness....but must be used in moderate amount..when you say Drug it pertaints to medicines..and these medicines are approve by the food and drugs...But for some medicines specially the regulated drugs sometimes is being purchased by people...without proper presciption from the doctor...and when these drugs are being taken more than what is required that is already called addiction...to sum up drugs can be legalized but must be put an eye on for proper dispensing...

Answer 3

Yes. When alcohol was banned during the 11 year prohibition in the last century, organized crime got it's big start. If the profit motive were negated by legalization, the crime rate would drop. Also, the 2 worst drugs (alcohol and tobacco) are legal. Go figure.

Answer 4

Heroin was legal in the United Sates in the 1800's.It was first used as a cough medicine and could be purchased in a catalog.Then noticed for it;'s mind altering affects,became used for anesthesia for surgery.Up to that point in order foe a doctor to do surgery,4or 5 men had to hold the man/woman down,b/c there was nothing to anesthetize the patient.
Also in the 1800's cocaine was legal and was purchased to treat all kinds of ailments that doctors could not identify.Cocaine was used most by wome.b/c it was unlady like to ingest alcohol.So women used cocaine.They often gave it to their babies to help them sleep.

LSD was first manufactured in a lab.LSD was put in soldiers war kits to give them a boost in ordered to fight.

Below are some web sites to visit.

Answer 5

There is no reason marijuana should be illegal. The government has no real purpose to do so.
The National Academy of Sciences debunked marijuana myths in 1999:
http://newton.nap.edu/html/marimed/

It should be regulated like alcohol. People should not drive or work dangerous jobs if they use marijuana. Kids shouldn't be using it.
Tax is fine. I would pay $10-20 for a pack of MJ cigs.

As far as harder drugs (coke, meth, acid), the government has a stronger reason for keeping these illegal because most people would agree these drugs are more harmful to one's family, career, and society than marijuana.

Answer 6

I believe canabis sativa was legalized for medical purposes. It's just that these drugs need to be prescribed before you can purchase them.

Sooner or later these will be legalized if this will serve medical purpose like if experts find drugs useful to fighting illnesses.

Hoep this gives you idea.

Answer 7

Drugs without regulation is dangerous to the health of a man and induces him to commit violence. Thus, drugs cannot be legalized.

Answer 8

i do not see why not if doctors have the right to prescribe something that has not even been approved

Answer 9

Do it yourself ya lazy *#45%%#. The answer is no.

Answer 10

any reasonable person will say no - and it's obvious why. those who say yes r mostly addicts themselves.