Legalization Of Illicit Drugs example essay topic

Drugs - the issue is wholly controversial, and the debate not entirely without merit. It is hard to see exactly what the answer should be, without looking at all the facts; even then, many "experts" fluctuate between a "Yes" and a "No" answer. Granted, there are many sides to the problem; however, with the decriminalization of marijuana seemingly within reach, the debate for whether all illicit drugs should be decriminalized or even legalized has gotten more intense. There are many facets, but there can be only one answer; there is a need for either harsher penalties or the decriminalization or even legalization of illicit drugs. Legalization, however, is the only practical way to bring any positive results. Politicians argue, "Illegal drugs and drug-related crime and violence kill 20,000 Americans a year, at a cost of $67 billion".

If that is the case, the money should be better spent, should it not? So why not invest it in an effort to legalize drugs and provide treatment for those who are addicted? In the same aforementioned source, a politician arguing for the legalization of drugs sustained "by legalizing drugs and selling them for about half the present prices through state-operated retail outlets... we could produce profits of conservatively $21 billion per year to fund harm reduction". 1 Therefore, instead of spending money in a losing battle (in actuality, the so called "war on drugs" has not shown any significant improvement), would not it be more profitable to spend the money in legalizing, and gaining control over the drug black market? The answer is obvious, yet many do not concur, turning instead to prohibition.

Prohibition has not brought any benefits; rather it has the opposite effect. In his article, "U.S. Fighting Drugs - But Not Too Hard", Patrick Buchanan refers to an article in the Wall Street Journal that reiterated the effects of prohibition. It states, "Illegality creates obscene profits that finance the murderous tactics of the drug lords; illegality leads to the corruption of law enforcement officials; illegality monopolizes he efforts of law forces so that they are starved for resources to fight the simpler crimes or robbery, theft and assault". What causes these "simpler crimes?"Criminologists agree that there is a strong link between property crimes and drugs... even if drug addicts make up a small proportion of all offenders, their need to feed their habit means they will usually commit far more offences than non-addicted burglars". The point being, addicts have to support their habit even if it is not legal, and this means doing whatever is necessary.

If addicts are obtaining illegal drugs, what is to stop them from committing other illegal crimes? It is obvious that their conscience does not come into play. So what exactly are we accomplishing? We criminalize drugs, spend money to punish offenders who are then released back to their previous lifestyle to commit the same crimes again. Punishment does not seem to be the answer, and neither does prohibition. In the 1920's, it was believed that the Prohibition would halt the consumption of alcohol.

In reality, "the law could not quell the continuing demand for alcoholic products. Thus, where legal enterprises could no longer supply the demand, an illicit traffic developed, from the point of manufacture to consumption". Prohibition led to the creating of more problems, rather than the other way around. It is painfully obvious that the so-called "War on Drugs" has not solved the problem, nor has it eradicated the consequences. Should we not look for another solution?

Legalization is the only practical ways to bring about solutions. Why is that? Looking back to the issue of Prohibition, the answer is evident. Although argued that legalization would increase the number of addicts, it is not certain. Conversely, it has been made abundantly clear that "forbidden fruit is attractive, particularly to the young". Prohibition provides that lure, that forbidden fruit that seizes and traps many.

It also makes drugs an incredible market, rife with easy money and power. To a young person, it may be almost irresistible and herein lays the problem. Legalizing drugs would "simultaneously reduce the amount of crime and raise the quality of law enforcement" Legalization would also improve the quality of the drugs that are available. In today's black market, the supply is often tainted contributing to many drug-related illnesses and deaths. Government control would improve quality, and there would be control over where the drugs go, and in whose hands they fall. Being readily available, there will be no market for those who think it's there mission to provide illegal substances to the so-called "deprived."But the harsh reality is that while effective policing may force some drug traffickers to move elsewhere, seek other markets, or become more ingenious, it does not stop them.

"We will never be a match for the drug dealers as long as they have unlimited funds and we have to fight budget wars", admitted one narcotics expert". We are fighting a losing battle. Milton Friedman continued on to say that "we cannot end drug traffic... So long as large sums of money are involved-and they are bound to be if drugs are illegal-it is literally hopeless to expect to end the traffic or even to reduce seriously its scope". Drugs will continue to be a problem until we take the appropriate action. History has substantiated that we cannot eliminate the market for illicit drugs and it is proven that Prohibition is liable to aggravate the problem.

Therefore, by examining all the evidence, it is abundantly apparent that legalizing illicit drugs is the only plausible solution we " ve encountered.