Legalization of drugs is a topic that continues to be hotly debated as a possible solution to reduce crime and save tax payer dollars that are tied up in drug enforcement agencies. Drugs related crime is one of the most expensive obstacles facing the United States citizens; from the perspective of those who are involved in drug use and sales, to the tax payers whose money is allocated to the agencies that exist to deal with all drug-related criminal offenses. A possible solution to curtail the social and financial problems that exist as a result of drug sales, use, and abuse is to legalize all drugs and impose a sales tax on the drugs rather than keeping drugs illegal, which continues to allow the criminal element of drugs to persist. Needless to say, there are some in favor of legalizing all drugs; however, there are those who believe this would be a disaster for the people creating additional problems for the citizens of the nation. The following discussion argues in favor of the legalization of drugs through evidence of the benefits that outweigh the disadvantages of drug legalization.
The Right to One’s Own Body
One of the first things to consider when discussing the drug issues that exist in the United States and throughout the world is the impact it can have on one’s health. Surely there are detrimental effects to the individuals who do drugs or worse- become addicted to drugs. However, ultimately the harm is only done to the individual who is using or abusing the drugs, but not harmful to others in most cases. Based on the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the individual should have the right to decide what is best for him or herself so long as they do not infringe on another person (Cussen and Block 526). By imposing laws against drugs, the government is now placing themselves in charge of what the citizen can and cannot do to their bodies, which ultimately is a form of slavery (Cussen and Block 526). If not full blown slavery then partial slavery is definitely what happens as a result of drug laws, which results in violation of civil liberties like “the practices of roadblocks, strip-searches, urine tests, locker searches, and money laundering laws” (Cussen and Block 526).
The intent appears valid and logical to monitor the sales and use of drugs, but to condemn it from a legal standpoint is only aggravating problems from a criminal perspective as well. In addition to the higher rates of crime that occur as a result of the illegal drug industry, there is also the societal impact that happens in poor communities primarily made up of black and Hispanic citizens that are further disenfranchised by these laws. Next, a look into the socio-economic problems and racism that exist due to the illegality of drugs is examined.
Social Mobility and Racial Divide
A large problem present in the United States as a result of the laws against drug sales and use can be found to directly impact both the social mobility and racial divide among citizens of the nation. Those in the lower socio-economic class tend to be blacks and Hispanics, which are also the same groups that fill the prisons throughout the nation. Many of the destitute members of society are the ones most vulnerable to the sale and abuse of drugs that is often associated with gang activity and crime. With nearly 500,000 people incarcerated as a result of drug offenses “the burden often falls disproportionately on minorities and the poor” (Caulkins et al. 284). “Human Rights Watch, among other groups, sharply criticizes the U.S. on this point, noting that black adults are sentenced to state prisons for drug offenses at ten times the corresponding rate for white adults” (Caulkins et al. 284).
Considering those that tend to be the most vulnerable victims of the illegal drug trade are the minority and poor, the added troubles to the family members and children of those incarcerated for a drug offense are most likely condemned to remain in the lowest social class. Suppose a mother or father is incarcerated for drug abuse, something that happens at an alarming rate throughout the urban inner cities, the children have no foundation to climb out of an unstable environment. Even when the parent is out of prison the reality is that jobs and education are now even more difficult to come by than prior to their prison term. The perpetuation of this cycle of poverty continues from generation to generation. It is easy to assume that the current laws against drugs only keep the struggling citizens worst off, with no chance of social mobility.
The High Cost
If the information provided is not enough to convince the audience of why drugs should be legalized, then perhaps looking at the outrageous cost to the nation and the tax payers will be sufficient enough to change one’s mind. “According to the U.S. Department of Justice, federal, state, and local governments currently spend over $20 billion per year on drug enforcement” (Cussen and Block 533). A large majority of the criminal justice system and law enforcement are dedicating their time and resources to the drug related issues that could be avoided if drugs were legalized and taxed by the government. Not only would there be an opportunity to use those funds to help improve the lives of those that suffer from the drug related issues, but it could be used to provide better education for the poor that would help alleviate many of the ongoing challenges of the population living in poverty.
In addition to the re-allocation of tax payer funds toward an area of concern that actually benefits lives versus add to the burden of the criminal justice system, there is the ability for law enforcement officials to be much more useful to the citizens by addressing the real problem of violent crimes that harm more people than any drug related offense might. Currently, law enforcement officials are focusing too much on the non-violent criminals who end up serving a ridiculous amount of prison time when all they have done is participate in the sales or use of drugs. Taking this problem out of the equation would allow there to be a much safer society.
Even some of the top economists have stated for years that the legalization that can be taxed on drugs would be a better option from the economic standpoint (Thornton 2007). With a struggling economy, does it not make sense to move towards policy changes that would help bring in more tax dollars while reducing crime and incarceration rates? That is not how the opposing group feels about the legalization of drugs.
Against Legalization
It is important to present a counterargument against the legalization of drugs to be fair. One of the arguments that anti-drug advocates present are the increase in emergency room visits in both adults and children that have occurred in Colorado since the legalization of marijuana (Monte, Zane, and Heard 2015). “The University of Colorado ED sees approximately 2000 patients per week; each week, an estimated 1 to 2 patients present solely for marijuana intoxication and another 10 to 15 for marijuana-associated illnesses” (Monte, Zane, and Heard 241). Although this is a valid point, there are solutions to this problem that could be developed with more examination of the challenges that would arise from the legalization of drugs. Therefore, even this argument against the legalization of drugs is not strong enough to keep drugs illegal.
Conclusion
The suggestion of legalizing drugs to reduce crime and improve the lives of many citizens of the United States is clearly a feasible option based on the numerous benefits that exist as a result. Not only is the current policy of illegal drug crimes a violation of one’s civil rights, but it is adding to the negative conditions throughout the nation. With a large majority of non-violent crimes of drug use imposed on blacks and Hispanics, but the perpetuation of poverty is reinforced by the current laws against drug use. Rather than condoning a further decline in society by the incarceration of non-violent drug related charges that are filling the prison, the better option would be to legalize and tax drugs. The decision towards legalization will free up the funds that go into the drug related problems that are costly to the nation and tax payers. These are only some of the reasons that drugs should be legalized. The benefits to the citizens of the nation outweigh the negative problems that may arise by legalizing drugs. In conclusion, the evidence seems obvious that the best decision from both the criminal and economic standpoint is to legalize all drugs.
Works Cited
Caulkins, Jonathan P., PhD., et al. "Understanding Drug Legalization." International Public
Health Journal 6.3 (2014): 283-94. ProQuest. Web. 8 May 2016.
Cussen, Meaghan, and Walter Block. "Legalize Drugs Now!." American Journal Of Economics
& Sociology 59.3 (2000): 525. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 8 May 2016.
Monte, Andrew, Richard Zane, and Kennon Heard. "The Implications of Marijuana Legalization
in Colorado." The Journal of American Medical Association 313.3 (2015): 241-242.
Ovid. Web. 8 May 2016.
Thornton, Mark. "Prohibition Versus Legalization: Do Economists Reach a Conclusion on Drug
Policy?" The Independent Review 11.3 (2007): 417-33. ProQuest. Web. 8 May 2016.
