Should all drugs be legalized?

[msc545]

Some arguments for legalization are here:

Personal Freedom and Autonomy: Individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, even if those decisions involve using substances that may be harmful. Legalization is seen as a way to respect individual autonomy and freedom.

Reduced Criminalization: The criminalization of drug use often leads to overcrowded prisons, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. By legalizing drugs, many argue that society can redirect resources from law enforcement and incarceration towards prevention, education, and treatment.

Harm Reduction: Legalization can lead to a regulated market, which can ensure that drugs are produced and distributed safely. This could help reduce the risks associated with contaminated or adulterated substances that often lead to health issues or overdose.

Public Health Focus: Legalization allows for greater control over the quality and potency of drugs, reducing the likelihood of overdoses and other health-related problems. It also opens the door to better regulation and oversight of drug use, including education and treatment programs.

Economic Benefits: A legal drug market could generate tax revenue for governments, similar to alcohol and tobacco industries. This revenue can be used to fund public services, education, and healthcare.

Undermining Criminal Organizations: A legal market could potentially disrupt the profits of illegal drug cartels and criminal organizations, as well as reduce violence associated with the illegal drug trade.

Redirected Law Enforcement Resources: Legalization could free up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes, rather than expending resources on prosecuting drug users and small-scale drug offenses.

Updates

8 mo

A drug addict is a person who uses drugs in order to feel normal.

[RealMarek]

No, but I think the way drugs are scheduled needs serious reform. For example, the need for marijuana being illegal is debatable (although it’s skunk-like smell has really degraded the experience of being in places like the Las Vegas strip and this probably needs to be regulated), but marijuana being treated similarly to fentanyl is absurd. Also, sentencing and enforcement need to be reformed and consistently enforced, which means the whole justice system needs to be reformed such that poor defendants aren’t funneled into plea agreements while wealthier defendants get a slap on the wrist or charges dismissed.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Over the years in my lifetime, what I saw was horrible. No, illegal drugs shouldn't be legalized. My family has battled their addictions and it's terrifying.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Thanks for MHO :)

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I don’t think so.

I support Marijuana and so on legalization but there are some things that should not be so available to humans.

Some people are stupid,

The ones with dangerous side effects must not be available to them in my opinion.

[BootsLover94]

Yes, as I support personal freedom. This is not Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or North Korea

[stepyo99]

I'd be fine with legalizing drugs as long as public intoxication was punished with stiffer penalties and the education system and media put more emphasis into promoting physical and mental fitness.

Controlling a substance that grows in the ground or can be produced by a crackhead chemist has proven to be pretty infeasible. What needs to change is the underlying issues for why people feel the need to self-medicate and for those remaining who are just drugged-out scumbags, throw them in a cell so they aren't littering the streets with their filth.

[exitseven]

We already have a large segment of the population that are zombies. Young people lack the maturity to make the correct choice in using dope. They will do whatever their friends tell them to do. Afterwards it is too late. They are a lost cause.

I am not a fan of the Chinese government but I think that they handle the drug problem correctly. Most dealers are never seen again.

[lightbulb27]

Most as ling as we have responsibility training , laws, and firing squad for misuse to others. Would reduce population.

[Snakeyes7]

At the very least I will accept court ordered rehab. Save the prisons for the violent criminals.

[Anonymous]

No, just kill the users.