NCJ Number
160894
Date Published
Unknown
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper challenges the arguments of those who favor legalizing drugs as the most beneficial strategy for society.
Abstract
The author, who has engaged in numerous discussions about legalizing drugs with a variety of people, provides a question-and-answer format for presenting his arguments against drug legalization. Following that section, he discusses the related issues of privacy and individual freedom; alcohol, drugs, and prohibition; drug-related crime; drug policies in different countries; costs related to drug abuse; drug prevention and treatment; the "war on drugs"; the effects of legalization on drug use; and unanswered questions about drug legalization. The author argues that even if the law permitted the moderate use of currently illegal drugs, there would need to be laws that would proscribe the dangerous abuse of such drugs. He further argues that illicit drugs are much more addictive than alcohol and are used for the sole purpose of altering the mind. The author also states that the legalization of drugs will not reduce crime and will in fact lead to criminal behaviors induced by the increased use of drugs under legalization. Along with an increase in drug use, the costs related to such use will increase for society. In conclusion, the author advises that advocates of legalization leave many questions unanswered regarding how various problems would be addressed should the current system of criminalization be abolished.