De-criminalization of Illicit Drugs

De-criminalization of Illicit Drugs

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Institution

De-criminalization of Illicit Drugs

Serious discussion and debating on the subject of legalizing substances and drugs within the United States has received little public support. Top scholars and other government officials have since backed the idea since the move would be an alternative to the fight against drug-related issues (McKeganey, 2013). The U.S government is losing billions of dollars in the fight against illicit drugs, money that it can use for other purposes. Furthermore, many citizens will escape the penalty of serving jail terms for drug-related crimes. If the government can decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs in the United States then the judicial system would not be as burdened. Moreover, emphasis could be placed on helping the persons who are plagued and are suffering from compulsion and addiction with plans of treatment, thus reducing the number of persons incarcerated. My goal is to substantiate this hypothesis that the current judicial system in the United States is being used as a treatment plan for individuals who are suffering from addiction.The theory of social deviance, as argued by Harshi, is one of the applicable sociological concepts that we can use in this text. According to this theory, society enacts laws but individuals decide to go contrary to these due to loss of social attachment. There are clear and strict rules against the use of illicit drugs in the United States but still there are criminal offenders. If the government could de-legalize illegal drugs and govern its use, then there would be reduced crimes because people will not be subject to these regulations again (Reid, 2008). Researchers argue that the government waste resources that it can use on other projects in enacting laws. Legalization of drugs will result in a reduction in the number of prisoners. That is because drugs will be affordable and there will be no scrupulous business individuals since the government will be able to set prices of drugs (Wyler, 2010).The practical implications of this move will be evident in the reduced cases of crime. People will use drugs wisely based on the education received and simple regulations set. Prisons will also cease being rehabilitation centers as it has always been. Moreover, Decriminalization will provide safer avenues for accessing drugs since the government will take charge and, as a result, individuals will turn to the recommended drugs. Decriminalization will not lead to increased drug use; it will only provide easier ways of accessing drugs.EvidenceThere have been varied reactions to the debate of legalization of illicit drugs. Some countries have since taken this move and it is evident that it has come with positive feedback. A typical example is Portugal, which took this direction in 2001. This country came up with well-defined reforms on enactment of rules on drug use. The results are positive since there has been a reduction in drug consumption. Cases of drug-related crimes have since reduced and arrests due to crimes have gone down (McKeganey, 2013)Decriminalization has reduced the cost of fighting drug-related crimes in Portugal. Instead of the US government channeling funds to enforce rules on drugs, it can use these funds for building rehabilitation centers and encourage the willing individuals to find help in these institutions. Other countries that have embraced this move and realized its results include Netherlands and Mexico. There might be some bias since people might decide to make individual decisions on the use of drugs. Economic differences can also play a role in these disparities hence the US government should consider doing an extensive research on this move. Scholars and government agencies should be involved to come up with clear guidelines on this matter (Rushefsky, 2013).In conclusion, decriminalization of drugs does not result in increased cases of drug consumption and crime. As research clearly shows, countries that have legalized drug use have reported positive effects. There have been reduced cases of drug use and crimes since these countries have put up clear reforms on this. If US can consider legalization of illicit drugs, the researchers predict similar results. The government will take charge of the whole issue and come up with government recommended drugs. Regulation of prices will come in and this will eliminate drug traffickers, authorized shops companies will channel taxes to the government, hence more funds to use in other projects. It will, therefore, employ resources in building rehabilitation centers that will attract interested individuals instead of using prisons to rehabilitate drug addicts and law offenders. Researches have shown that the effects of decriminalizing drugs will work towards solving the problem of drug abuse and its eventual crimes.If the US government can consider this move, it will still engage in research that is more extensive. Law enforcing agencies and scholars can offer more insight in this since this can directly or indirectly fall under their area of expertise.

References

Mckeganey, N. (2013). A-Z of Substance Misuse and Drug Addiction. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Reid, J.M. (2008). Drug Use Sequencing and Kandel’s Gateway Hypothesis. New York: Proquest Publishers.

Rushefsky, M. (2013). Public Policy in the United States. New York: M.E. Sharpe Publishers.Wyler, L.S. (2009). International Drug Control Policy. Pennsylvania: DIANE Publishing.