Decriminalization of drugs

I always start this discussion with this thought: what is the difference between illegal drugs and prescription drugs? The prescription drugs are prescribed by a doctor but can be as addictive and unhealthy as illegal drugs. Keeping certain drugs illegal make more money than making them legal. Drug dealers make more money selling illegal drugs by charging outrageous prices and tax free. Because these drugs are not very accessible, people will pay the money and do anything to get them. Drug dealers and providers take advantage of the situation and make important amounts of money, along with the people who works for them. If illegal drugs were legal, mafias would not exist because there would be no need to do any business underground. Selling and consuming would be registered and taxes could be applied. The system would know exactly who is selling the drugs and who is buying them. I am positive the highest drug dealers could not afford their lifestyle anymore without charging ridiculous prices and paying taxes out of their products.  While I am with decriminalization of drugs, I also believe these drugs should be regulated just as the prescription drugs. In addition, no driving or any other operation activities should be allowed while under the influence of any drugs, just like alcohol. Another positive side would be the number reduction of prisoners due to drug usage and drug dealing. A great number of people are addicted to drugs and sending them to prison for 15 years does not fix the issue. According to Husak D. (2003), “ many of the arguments I have heard for drug prohibitions do a perfectly good job explaining why rational persons might well decide not to use illicit drugs, or why the state may have good reasons to discourage people from using drugs, but I fear they do not provide a justification for punishing drug users” (p. 4).  

Illegal drugs and homicides

I have done some research and not very many murders happen under the influence of illegal drugs. All I could find is that the only cause of death related to drugs is the drug war, not people under the influence of drugs. According to Conroy (2012), " the U.S has imprisoned curretly up to 400,000 people on drug-related charges- the vast mayority of them nonviolent offenders" (p. 1). In fact, prescription drugs have have some serious side effects and cause a change of mental state on the patient. If the person murdered or accidentally killed another person under the influence of drugs, the punishment should be harsher because nobody should be operating a vehicle while under the influence of any substance. The majority of drug users use drugs as a recreational fun, but of course there are some who have an addiction problem like alcohol.


Reference

Conroy, Bill ( 2012). Drug-related homicides in the US average at least 1,100 a year. http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/bill-conroy/2012/03/drug-war-related-homicides-us-average-least-1100-year