10 Reasons to legalize all drugs - Agree or Disagree?

Question

1 Address the real issues
2 Eliminate the criminal market place
3 Massively reduce crime
4 Drug users are a majority
5 Provide access to truthful information and education
6 Make all drug use safer
7 Restore our rights and responsibilities
8 Race and Drugs
9 Global Implications
10 Prohibition doesn't work

"If the (drug) problem continues advancing as it is at the moment, we're going to be faced with some very frightening options. Either you have a massive reduction in civil rights or you have to look at some radical solutions. The issue has to be, can a criminal justice system solve this particular problem?"

Answer 1

Disagree. You are starting with some false assumptions. #4 is false. Drug usage has been declining since the 70s. Some of your statements are vague, and an answerer has to rely on their own prism to fill in the implications. Here's mine.

"Address the real issues" is a solution, not a rationalization, fix them first. I wish we lived in a world where abusing one's self with drugs wasn't the easy answer people chose. It is the BEST solution, but it will take a process to get to the point where drugs aren't particularly amusing or an act of rebellion.

Drugs do REAL damage. Even the "soft" drugs. The new research is in, and some people just lose the lottery. It's pretty disheartening to watch happen to someone you care about.

OK. I'll get off the soapbox and try to fix the underlying problems I can.

Answer 2

While I agree that prohibition doesn't work there are some serious flaws when it comes to legalization.

First off the government, mainly us tax-payers, will have to fund all the new public-assistance 12-step programs needed to help the influx of addicts.

It won't take care of the crime. The Russian Mob is making huge profits selling bootleg cigarettes in place like New York City where a pack of smokes costs between $7 and $8 after all the taxes.

I could go on... but it's not worth the ascii.

Answer 3

I disagree.
Yes, it certainly resolves some of the points you have raised.
However,
1. Do we want a national epidemic of dependent "users"?
2. Is there a legal age for using?
3. Who regulates dosages?
4. Who recommends that dosages be increased?
5. Wont insurance rates go up for the additional expenses of regulating dopers?
6. Do we really want to encourage people to get hooked on narcotics?
7. Do we want to encourage legalizing a dependency that has destroyed countless families and lives over dozens of years?
8. Wont the dosages have to be increased until the point of overdose?

MOST IMPORTANTLY: What is the goal of the criminal codes regarding narcotics? To RID THE COUNTRY OF THEM.
Legalizing it only legitimizes its use and doesnt teach us a thing.
Its like when Reverend Al Sharpton wanted to impose a law to instill "ebonics" into the NYC Public School system. Rather than address the problem of poor english skills, he wanted to resolve the issue by having children spoken to in slang.
IT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Answer 4

The problem is that the people who get hooked won't be responsible with their "recreational" drug use. They will be spending their grocery & bill money on drugs. There will be alot more over-dose incidents. Making this stuff legal will make everything worse. I do agree that there needs to be some kind of reform, though.

Answer 5

First, your points are valid! BRAVO!

Second, legalizing drugs WILL NOT loose the government money.. .that's a scapegoat used to blow off the issue... the money spent on inmates in prison for drug related crimes would greatly decrease, thereby freeing up tax money for more important things like keeping extracurricular activities in schools and improving schools and other institutions which give children alternatives to drugs and gangs... then again, those funds would probably be misused as well)

Third, I am diheartened in the suggestion that we would "all become drug addicts"... last time I checked we are all not mindless zombies... My personal belief is if you take the stigma away... it just allow for those who are proned to addiction to get better care or alternatives

Answer 6

I cannot find fault with any of your assertions.

However, a way must be found to keep the stoners from driving (or flying airplanes, piloting ships, etc.). It would need to be regulated in much the same way as alcohol. If you use drugs responsibly, and don't put anybody else at risk, fine. But if you do put others at risk.....well, then you need to be held responsible for that.

Just my opinions.

Answer 7

The government is not going to legalize drugs because it would lose way too much money. The only thing that may be legalized and controlled in the future would be pot.

Answer 8

I agree. There is a huge problem with overcrowded jails because they are full of people incarcerated for possession (which far outnumbers the number in for manufacturing) illegal substances. And that does nothing in the end to treat those addicted. Incarceratation is NOT rehabilitation. I have seen them release people in jail for far worse crimes (theft, assault, etc.) because of the overcrowding problem. Yet, they keep the addicts locked up to send a message that is obviously not getting through.

Answer 9

I agree on number 10.

Answer 10

i completely agree with all your statements. I do not use but strongly agree with legalizing for all the reasons you have listed!!! I applaud what you said. I do not agree that sending everyone to jail helps.