NCJ Number
172367
Date Published
1998
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper argues for retaining current laws against the possession, use, and sale of harmful drugs such as heroin and cocaine, and argues against legalization.
Abstract
Widespread heroin and cocaine use are associated with all manner of ills. Thomas Bewley found that the mortality rate of British heroin addicts in 1968 was 28 times as high as the death rate of the same age group of nonaddicts, even though in England at the time an addict could obtain free or low-cost heroin and clean needles from British clinics. The argument against drug legalization is presented as follows. Suppose heroin and cocaine were legalized in America. In what proportion of auto fatalities would the State police report that the driver was nodding off on heroin or recklessly driving on a cocaine high? In what proportion of spouse-assault and child-abuse cases would the local police report that crack was involved? In what proportion of industrial accidents would safety investigators report that the forklift or drill-press operator was in a drug-induced stupor or frenzy? No one knows exactly what the proportion would be, but anyone who asserts that it would not be much higher than it is now would have to believe that these drugs have little appeal except when they are illegal. A long experience with the widespread use of alcohol has shown that accessibility and increased availability lead to more use and abuse, with attendant behavioral consequences. The containment of a problem through laws and sanctions not only reduces the consequences and costs for society, but also buys time for science to learn more about the problem and perhaps to discover a cure. 1 note