Legalization of Drugs
Legalization of DrugsSuch an issue stirs up moral and religious beliefs;
beliefs that are contrary to what America should "believe".
However, such a debate has been apparent in the American
marketplace of ideas before with the prohibition of alcohol in
the 1920's. With the illegality of alcohol the mafia could
produce liquor and therefore had considerable control over those
who wanted their substance and service. The role that the mafia
played in the 1920's has transformed into the corner drug dealers
and drug cartel of the 1990's. The justification that legalized
alcohol under Amendment 21 in 1933 should also legalize drugs in
1996. With the legalization of drugs a decrease in deaths
related to drug deals would occur and also the price would lessen
because bigger businesses could produce drugs at a cheaper price.
Thus, reducing crimes that are committed to support a drug habit.
Another drug that has played a major role in American society is
nicotine. For hundreds of years, cigarettes have been a popular
legal drug within the United States. Only through legalization
and education has the popularity and the use of cigarettes
declined within the past ten years. Physically, the actual
consequences of using illicit drugs is much less than of using
drugs like alcohol or cigarettes and the consequences will be
diminished. Illicit drugs can and will be made safer than they
are in the present system. In making comparisons, the best is to
look at how countries are functioning that have less enforcement
on drugs and what the statistics were after drugs were
decriminalized. Within the last thirty years many groups have
their attempts. The use of drugs is a victimless crime much like
homosexuality. Homosexuals have fought for a great deal of
freedom that is based on their basic human rights; the right to
make decisions and act freely based on what is protected under
the Constitution, so long as anyone else is not affected.
Economically, the production of drugs in the United States would
benefit the financial well being of the American government and
people. Taxes should immediately be placed on drugs thus
resulting in a significant increase in government income. The
more money that government receives is more money that they can
put towards the education of how drugs effect the human mind and
body. Prohibition breeds disrespect for law�enforcement; the
agency that "should" hold the highest respect of the American
society. Money spent on prohibition is an overwhelming figure
that is not needed and is obviously accomplishing little. Those
who want to be controlled by a substance should have every right
to do so, because this right has equal jurisdiction as any other
human right that has emerged from the sea of oppression and
persecuted freedoms.
The deaths resulting in the acquiring of alcohol
have all but disappeared. When all non�medical dealings in
alcohol were prohibited in the United States in 1919, the
results were very similar to today's drug trade. Alcohol
quality was brewed illicitly; importers were considered
criminals and behaved as such; protection rackets, bribes
and gang...
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