NCJ Number
177138
Date Published
1998
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Drug legalization is examined with respect to the difference between decriminalization and legalization, public policy concerns, the pros and cons of legalization, the reasons legalization has been ineffective in other countries, and alternative solutions for reducing drug abuse.
Abstract
Among the arguments for legalization are the arguments that drug use is a personal moral decision, that crime rates are high because drugs are considered a criminal problem rather than a medical problem, and that legalization would save billions of tax dollars not spent on drug law enforcement. Opponents' arguments include the statements that drug users would experience a greater risk of debilitating dependencies from cocaine and narcotics if those drugs were legalized, that an underground market would continue to exist, and that many addicts would continue to commit crimes due to their inability to hold jobs. A large majority of the public rejects the idea of legalization. Analysis of other countries' systems revealed that neighboring countries are not convinced of the merits of the Dutch national drug policy and that the British system of drug maintenance by prescription is not as effective as it used to be. Alaska's legalization of marijuana ended in 1990. Opponents of drug legalization consider several possibilities to be alternatives, including the deglamorization of drugs, boycotting of drugs, drug rehabilitation and counseling, targeting of law enforcement resources on drug users, broadening forfeiture sanctions, and harsh fines on drug dealers and users. Solutions will be time-consuming and will require equal participation by law enforcement, educational institutions, researchers, and social treatment programs, plus unified participation the public. Figure, photographs, list of major terms used, discussion questions, and suggested class projects