The experience of decriminalization of drugs in some countries such as Portugal and Uruguay, has led to a decrease in drug related problems. Cons of Decriminalization. Kelly Fehr's comprehensive motion included a request . A Closer Look at Portugal's Decriminalized Drug Enactment. There is not one shred of evidence that Cannabis does any harm whatsoever, and the goverment has spent 40 years trying to dig one up. Of course certain drugs should be legal, like Cannabis. Cons of decriminalizing drug production, distribution and use: New users for drugs. For most of the 20th century and beyond, it has been illegal in the United States and other . Decriminalization of drug use did not have an effect on the age of onset of drug . No state has . Body. That same year, about 90 percent of the burglaries, home invasions, and car thefts reported in . The dispute over the idea of decriminalizing illegal drugs is and will continue on as an ongoing conflict. Especially with the legalization of marijuana in several states, Colorado and Washington State being the first, the debate for and against drugs is more present than ever. People should be free to use drugs if they want to "Americans should be free to ingest whatever they choose — cigarette smoke, trans fats, mega-sodas, and/or methamphetamine. A policeman walks by and glances over. There are plenty of good reasons to decriminalize marijuana, and only one reason not to: 1. Benefits of Marijuana. Part of it may be that drug possession arrests are relatively easier to make than arrests for violent crimes. Why All Drugs Should Be Legal. Of that cost, $24 billion was from drug-related crimes: the police, courts, jails and the toll taken on victims. Drug misuse (usually called abuse in the United States) infects the world's criminal justice, health care, and social service systems. Drug Enforcement Administration police are seen as demonstrators march to Freedom Plaza from Capitol Hill to honor George Floyd and victims of racial injustice on June 6, 2020. Download: 638. There are advantages and disadvantages to the issue of legalising drugs that cannot be ignored. There are legal, social, and medical reasons that marijuana should not be decriminalized. Then they showed a lot of similarities between drugs and alcohol and told that is unfair when drugs are illegal being in essence similar to alcohol. Drug decriminalization means if you are caught with a small personal amount of crack you will not go to jail. Then the drug companies came along and demonized it so they could sell (and make fortunes) pushing their drugs which have much worse side effects. Whether drug possession should be decriminalized is a question for continued discussion. However, drugs should not be legalized because there would be an increase in drug abuse due to its availability. However, we firmly believe that offering people help when it becomes apparent they may have a substance abuse issue seems a far wiser approach than locking them up. On average, 100 fewer people to prison per 100,000 in the population than states that have lower than average drug treatment admissions. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the early 1980's developed marijuana eradication programs. The crack will be taken away. States with a higher drug treatment admission rate than the national average send. I'm skeptical that [a] significant number of people will begin shooting heroin simply because possession of small amounts of the drug have been decriminalized. This link will provide Recent findings: The systematic review of the literature on decriminalization resulted in seven articles that discuss decriminalization as compared with 57 published articles on legalization. Of course certain drugs should be legal, like Cannabis. In recent years, one of the worldwide trending topics has been the issue of whether all drugs should be legalised or not. U.S. jurisdictions with reduced penalties do not have higher rates of drug use. Of course it should be legal. The World Drug report stated that 180.6 million or 3.9% of the population aged 15-64 use marijuana. Words: 1286 - Pages: 3. It can't be that all police . . The U.S. Penalties, even for possession, include imprisonment as a sentencing option. The risk of legal action usually discourages medical practitioners from prescribing marijuana based drugs even when such drugs present the only hope for their patients. possession of drugs like cocaine or heroin.22 In addition, 21 states and the District of Columbia have adopted 911 Good Samaritan immunity laws, which essentially decriminalize simple possession and other minor drug offenses at the scene of an overdose. The drug policy should direct and exploit the media on matters of advertisement, education on drug use, as well as treatment programs for drug addicts. Personal possession and use of all drugs in Canada should be decriminalized immediately, but we need to go further. Oregon voters approved two drug-related initiatives. Like decriminalisation, legalisation is unlikely to radically alter consumption. The study estimated that in 1983 drug abuse cost the nation $60 billion. Read More. In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was passed by the Nixon administration, codifying a . To simply decriminalize possession of drugs without a robust community support strategy to address the underlying issues will not benefit the person in crisis or the community at large. Needs to Decriminalize Drug Possession Now The founder of Drug Policy Alliance argues that the current laws are a waste of money and ultimately harmful. Written by Christian Nordqvist on November 10, 2007 According to official figures, drug treatment programs in the UK have had disappointing success in drug . You'll get 20 more warranty days to request any revisions, Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized Essay for free. Countries that have decriminalized possession of small amounts of illegal drugs have seen dramatic decreases in continuous drug use in their populations. 16 Decriminalization of Drugs Pros and Cons. Decriminalizing drug possession would be akin to opening Pandora's box. Decriminalization of drug possession is working in Oregon. Decriminalization is not the same thing as legalization; these are two different options for dealing with illegal drug use. Along the same path, the general population consciousness is moving toward being in favor of decriminalizing drug use in general. Todays society is a prime example of why we should not incarcerate, simply for possession of drugs. It's Time to Abolish the DEA. TOPIC: Should drug use be decriminalized? More than . In 2010, about 75,000 Texans were arrested for possession of small amounts of marijuana. For example, heroin and cocaine are highly addictive and dangerous drugs. Written by Christian Nordqvist on November 10, 2007 According to official figures, drug treatment programs in the UK have had disappointing success in drug . Several US states have recently decided to legalize medical and recreational marijuana. Decriminalizing a drug like marijuana means that it no longer is a crime to possess marijuana for personal use, The advantages of decriminalizing marijuana are so numerous and powerful that it is difficult to understand the intense opposition. Congress should repeal the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, shut down the Drug Enforcement Administration, and let the states set their own policies with regard to currently illegal drugs… Repeal of prohibition would take the astronomical profits out of the drug business and destroy the drug kingpins who terrorize parts of our cities… There is not one shred of evidence that Cannabis does any harm whatsoever, and the goverment has spent 40 years trying to dig one up. Marijuana Should Be Legalized Essay. 1328 Words6 Pages. The debate over the legalization of drugs continues to disturb society as time progresses. Marijuana should be legalized because the legalization will bring economic benefits, such as tax revenue, creation a new jobs, and money which used to fight with marijuana smokers also can be saved. 1. We are still in the midst of a "War on Drugs" that began in the 1970s. 3) Other countries have successfully decriminalized drugs - and the U.S. is moving in the right direction, despite Trump. This has become a hot debate throughout nations all over the world, from all walks of life. Though voters have made marijuana legal in some states, there are far more harmful drugs that should never be on the ballot. In addition, further research on medical use of Marijuana has been hampered by its illicit status since being in its possession is illegal (American College of Physicians 5). They stated that drugs should be legalized because alcohol and tobacco are legal. Once legalized, drugs would become cheaper and more accessible to people who previously had not tried drugs, because of the high price or the legal risk. Doing this would allow for cases like Amy Albritton's to never become more than a simple traffic stop. In contrast, decriminalization would mean that, for the same offence, you may be fined a certain amount and have your drugs confiscated (instead of getting . One decriminalized possession of small amounts of illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines. All of this may be true and helpful in a sense for a short while, but looking towards the long run many other aspects also need to be put into consideration. Bogart December 22, 2020. Drug possession is a constant problem throughout the world, but it has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years. Neither legalisation nor decriminalisation is the answer. Evaluating examples of book reviews: the detailed examination of the actual review found on a professional critical approach. To mark the date, the Drug Policy Alliance has issued a report on what has happened since legalization arrived, and it likes what it sees: "Since adult possession of marijuana became legal eighteen months ago, the state has benefitted from a dramatic decrease in marijuana arrests and convictions, as well as increased tax revenues. Help for Drug Use and Addiction. Despite political pressures to join the international War on . A current example of this would be restaurants that serve alcohol; even though . From 2007 to 2012, 266,000 people were deported for drug law violations, of whom 38 percent - more than 100,000 people - were deported simply for drug possession. by W.A. America's anti-drug-use philosophy is simple — teach the young that . A woman stands on a street corner and takes out a small cylinder of a drug rolled in paper. Thesis: Marijuana has health benefits and should thus be legal. You May Want to Know. Explain Upon choosing this topic, you will submit a 3 page essay in APA format on this topic.The 3 pages do not count the cover page or referencesThe textbook and all outside references must be cited and referenced. Should Illegal Drugs Be Decriminalized? By 1940, every state had outlawed the drug and its possession would prove to have identical penalties to the of heroin possession. The most groundbreaking news comes out of Oregon: The state's residents became the first in the nation to vote to decriminalize possession of all drugs, including substances like heroin and cocaine. In arguably the biggest blow to the drug war to date, Oregon has become the first state in the nation to decriminalize drug possession, significantly expanding access to much-needed evidence-informed, culturally-responsive treatment, harm reduction and other health services through excess marijuana tax . The movement at the state level of the United States to decriminalize various uses of marijuana-especially for " medical" purposes- has accelerated . Growing up in America, we are taught from a very young age that drugs are bad. As other states eye similar moves, Stephanie Sy reports on . No Drugs Should Be Criminalized. Decriminalization of Drugs Essay. possession of drugs like cocaine or heroin.22 In addition, 21 states and the District of Columbia have adopted 911 Good Samaritan immunity laws, which essentially decriminalize simple possession and other minor drug offenses at the scene of an overdose. Possession of drugs, the supply of prohibited drugs, manufacture of drugs and cultivation of plants are offences in NSW under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. Drug addiction is a mental illness. Should Marijuana Be Legal Essay Outline. Under the new legal framework, all drugs were "decriminalized," not "legalized." Thus, drug possession for personal use and drug usage itself are still legally prohibited, but violations . The legalization of drugs has been a very controversial case for decades, with strong arguments on either side. It is often easier for teenagers to buy illegal drugs, like cannabis and MDMA, than legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, whose sale is regulated and age-restricted. However, they have never tried to prove WHY substances similar to alcohol should be legal, expect of that it is unfair. Order Original Essay. While there has been few who argue that harder drugs like cocaine and heroin should remain illegal, the same is not true with marijuana. Share this: Like legal prescription drugs available on the market, marijuana should be classified as a Schedule 2 drug by the FDA in accordance with its relatively low medical risk compared to hard drugs. When discussing the debate on drug policy, the term legalization generally refers to a status in which adults of a legal age are able to purchase, own. In 2001, Portugal decriminalized all drugs, from marijuana to heroin and meth. To combat the illegal market and save more lives, we need to legalize and regulate drugs. These drugs, often psychoactive, became heavily criminalized in the 1970s and standardized sentencing in the 1980s and 1990s created long prison . Due to the medical benefits, and considering it isn't as bad for you as alcohol, marijuana should be legalized. Paragraph 1: Marijuana slows and stops the spread of cancer cells. Hence, research approaches like interrupted time-series and . Drugs should be prohibited, because their legalization can lead to negative outcomes (teenage addiction, increasing number of drug users and careless driving) which will require more money to spend on treatment programs in future (The War on Drugs: Fighting Crime or Wasting Time, 2001). Rep. Lauren Davis (D-WA) joined the Dori Monson Show on @KIRO Radio 97.3 FM to talk about her proposal which would decriminalize personal drug possession in . A Vernon councillor's motion that the city publicly support decriminalizing simple drug possession was voted down Monday by council. Legalization means that the government authorizes the use and sale of certain drugs to adults (The Drug Policy Forum of Texas [DPFT], 2004). To help you visualise this better, the current law (under Section 12 (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Act) punishes drug possession with a fine of up to RM100,000 or up to five years in prison. Should possession of small quantities of drugs be decriminalized? Drug arrests over the past 10 years have been 80% possession and 20% sale. Essay. Interview: Why the US Should Decriminalize Drug Use . Eden Asipov 9 English 4 January 2021 Final Argumentative Essay: Should All Drugs Be Legalized? One of the first major changes that could improve living in the United States is decriminalizing possession of small amounts of most drugs. The second proposal comes from Robin Reda of the Republicans party who suggests drug be decriminalized with no possibility of criminal prosecution. Maine should follow the model. Increased admissions to drug treatment are associated with reduced incarceration rates. However, using drugs is instead met with fines or community service rather than jail time. 1468 Words6 Pages. To be clear, trafficking and selling drugs are still considered to be crimes. Could this woman be in trouble? 16 states have de-criminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, and 22 have legalized it for medical purposes. In the United States, marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs that should have been legalized a long time ago along with alcohol. Especially for medical reasons Cannabis was THE drug of choice 100 years ago, doctors prescribed it for everything and it worked. Purpose of review: To review the literature on decriminalization of drug use from 2016 to 2017 and suggest the way forward. Under this proposal, drug possession and sale would continue to be illegal, but violations would result in a fine which may increase for subsequent offenses, but would never result in jail time. Waterloo Regional Police Chief Bryan Larkin wants to discuss decriminalizing possession of small drug quantities in 2022 We should prioritize the provision of safe access to opioids given the toll the opioid crisis is exacting. While it is illegal to have drugs that are considered unlawful, criminal charges may be pressed when someone is found possessing these illegal substances and materials, and this may cause the possessor to end up in prison. Argumentative Essay On Legalization Of Drugs. Should Illegal Drugs Be Decriminalized? By 1978 at least ten states decriminalized possession of marijuana and this sent a wrong message to the public. Cannabidiol can turn off a gene called Id-1 and can therefore stop cancer. Gore Vidal, supporter of legalization and author of the essay "Drugs," states that all drugs should be made available and sold at a cost (Vidal, 355). Focusing on the foundational community responsibility to mental health would go a long way to address the root causes of drug abuse and the subsequent symptoms . The fact that marijuana has side effects proves that it is the norm among drugs, not the exception. The policy specifically covers the possession of these drugs for personal use. . For many years, a real push has been looming on the idea of legalizing now illegal drugs. An excellent example is Portugal's much discussed 2001 law which decriminalized possession of all drugs. Drug possession is the most arrested offense in the U.S. with an arrest every 23 seconds. Conclusion The debate on illicit drug decriminalization and legalization is expected to offer solution to financial burden, prison overcrowding, and elimination of drug cartels. The War on Drugs became an American political icon of the U.S. government's quest to prohibit the acquisition of certain drugs that were made illegal. Ending criminal penalties for drug possession, often referred to as decriminalization, means nobody gets arrested, goes to jail or prison, or faces criminal punishment for possessing a small amount of a drug for personal use.As detailed in a new Drug Policy Alliance report, there's an emerging public, political, and scientific consensus that otherwise-law-abiding people should not be .