Discussion of the Problem
Anything that harms the human body is supposed to be regulated by the law; this insists on the process by which the government intends to protect the general being of the population it is aiming to guide. Drugs or medicines [in a more direct term] are expected to have a positive effect on the human body especially when they are used properly according to the dose as directed by a doctor. However, there are particular types of drugs that are regulated because of the specific effect they have on the human body. These drugs are however distributed in the black market due to the exact effect they have on the users. Addictive as they are, they become one of the most expensive items in the market at present. With such regulations imposed by the law, people wanting to get access of the said types of drugs are more than willing to go through any particular dangerous circumstance. Given the chance to purchase the substance that best fits their need, the one that they need to suffice their cravings, they would be willing to go even against the guidelines of the law.
True to its sense, the problem over the production and distribution of illegal drugs around the globe has been proven to be one of the longest-running issues in the international and local policing systems in both highly urbanized and even in the rural areas. With the increase of stressful situations among human engagements at present, the demand for illegal drugs also increases. Hence, creating a policy that could help regulate the situation is essential to save whatever is left of the current human civilization. This will allow it to face the need to embrace modernity along with all the negative impacts it has, including the consistent circulation of illegal drugs around different communities all over the world.
Discussion of the Policy
Nevertheless, doctors agree to the fact that the risk of putting the patients under the effect of the medical marijuana could also include the risk of getting them addicted to the said substance in the long run. This is why immense control must be applied when utilizing medical marijuana as a source of competent medical support for the sake of improving recovery on the part of the patients involved in the process.
According to the study completed by Robert MacCoun and Peter Reuter (2011) entitled Assessing Drug Prohibition and Its Alternatives, it is essential to note how effective policing could help in determining what is good for the health of the people [which includes medical marijuana] and what should be kept under the category of being illegal, thus should be controlled accordingly. Furthermore, the study adds that the problem with the current policies that determine the prohibition or the permission of the circulation of specific drugs in the market is that of the space it has; the unknown statements that are supposed to be added into the clause of the law.
Relatively, this means that the prohibition law need to be clear enough as to how much of the said controlled drugs is allowed to be used in medical procedures per person; what age-limits should be considered when they are being applied as part of the medical operations being completed; what specific consumption procedures need to be given attention to so as to assure that the intake of such drug or substance is controlled accordingly. All these concerns need to be clarified hence making it easier to clear off cases that follow the protocols of the law especially when utilizing controlled substances for medical purposes.
On the other hand, another option of controlling the production of such substances is being considered under the concept of shifting the resources used for its production through increasing amount for demand of the said raw materials. In the research of Jeffrey Clemens (2008) entitled Opium in Afghanistan: Prospects for the Success of Source Country Drug Control Policies, it is pointed out that if the producers of the illegal substances are given another option to use their raw materials and raw resources to produce other products instead of the drugs they create, they would likely take notice of the option. This could be given attention to especially if the shifting of options would involve increase in monetary returns on the part of the producers. True, the need to control the roots of the production of such controlled drugs is necessary. Ones the source could be cut, the demand is expected to relatively decrease as well.
Conclusion
What makes something illegal is the fact that it does affect the people in a negative manner. The way it creates problems for the government and the policy makers as well as the law enforcers in an international scale has made illegal drugs among the most controversial elements traded between countries [and later on within smaller scale of sales and exchange procedures in local areas]. The emergence of this problem is expected to continue rising especially if the current policies that intend to control the production and distribution of drugs remain as weak as they are at present.
Hence, to respond to the issue, two specific procedures are given attention in this discussion. One is the deregulation of particular drugs that are used for medical purposes. It has been shown though that such approach could also be risky, hence should be dealt with full care and attention to how it may affect the people involved. Another solution suggested is the shifting of attention of the producers to much high-cost returns on the raw materials they are using to produce drugs such as opium. The application of these changes would however require high cooperation from the community and all the other players in the case; their willingness to follow through the adjustments would make the said course of development in improving drug policy application undergo the much desired success.
References:
Clemens, J. (2008). Opium in Afghanistan: Prospects for the Success of Source Country Drug Control Policies. Journal of Law and Economics.
MacCoun, RJ and Reuter, P. (2011). Assessing Drug Prohibition and Its Alternatives: A Guide for Agnostics. Annual Review of Law and Social Science.
