Drug legalization is a serious and a complex issue that has had a strong lobby with comical moments raising endless issues worldwide. A great deal of people doesn’t seem to advocate for the legalization of these drugs as have have extremely negative impacts no the society at large. Over the years hard drugs have been associated with all sorts of moral and societal evils including murder, rape, crime, aggravated assault among others which have predominantly caused havoc on people. In a recent nationwide survey conducted in mid – March this year on legalization of marijuana, illustrated a number of interesting facts and trends of much speculation and which could lead to unknown predicaments. With mixed reactions, quite a significant number of people opt for its legalization suggesting that it is through prohibition of these drugs that has caused personal and social damage on people and to the society. In addition others allege that alcohol and tobacco that kill countless people every year and legalized are readily available but turn out to be even more dangerous than marijuana and can easily kill. Arguably, with the current drug laws, a couple of organs in various institutions are to blame with evident claims that are being institutionalized to act as a cover up for a few tycoons in the business.
With the notion that marijuana for instance is not dangerous if not abused, raises concern in determining the line between its moderate use and abuse which lead to addiction. There are a couple of benefits attributed to marijuana for instance, a dose of marijuana administered to depressed cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have a positive impact as it said to ease pain and treat depression. It is also however proven by some scientist to cure cancer. Econonomically, it would be to the advantage of a country as a lot of resources and funds used and wasted on the enforcement of these drug laws would be used to serve other purposes could be in education, infrastructure or societal development. Moreover if legalized, the economy could benefit through their taxation.
Additionally, drugs to an extent are job creators to peddlers and other business related persons and groups in the chain. Its legalization would see to some extent reduction of harm among the involved group and in this way the misery levels in addicts would be reduced. There are also claims of intrusion on personal freedom and the law is in place to protect all. Moreover, dispute of street justice would reduce with its legalization.
The pros of legalizing drugs out way the cons with a big margin. Much are the negative impacts of drugs and drug related issues. To start with, the society at large has significantly suffered the cost of the ailing society. It is however deeply to blame along side the governments’ laxity for failing to play the crucial role it ought to play in dealing with the menace. Use of drugs is what later leads to abuse since they are addictive, and from sources there is a major concern in the growing number of drug addicts globally. Legalization of drugs will uncontrollably lead to more substance abuse. If for instance heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and PCP whose cost is way higher than other drugs would be legalized, would have a significant negative and infamous impact.
Social issues in the legalization of drugs would also arise with more physical damage to users and consequently an increase in chances of these drugs falling into the hands of children would result. In addition, it is critically proven that drugs and substance abuse cause mental damage to users especially on the addicts, some chemicals in the drugs alter the normal functioning of the brain and could lead to serious negative implications on the abuser in the long run.
References
Goldstein, Margaret J. Legalizing Drugs: Crime Stopper or Social Risk?Minneapolis, MN: Twenty-First Century Books, 2010. Internet resource.
