“Just say no,” has been America’s approach since First Lady Nancy Regan used the phrase in 1982 (Lilienfeld and Arkowitz, 2014). However, the recent attention to drug legalization begs the question – is prohibition working? The drug debate is divided into three approaches: legalization, prohibition, and decriminalization. Though opinions vary within each approach, they have very specific themes.
Many for the legalization of drugs are particularly in favor for the legalization of marijuana. This stance is because most drug users are marijuana users. Marijuana has also been discussed to have medical properties but is tough to study due to its classification as a Schedule I substance. Marijuana has been found to combat pain, nausea, vomiting, …show more content…
The biggest change with decriminalization is that although punishments still exist they are less harsh than before. Decriminalization also means that the government does not regulate drugs. A common driving factor in decriminalization a change of focus from punishment to treatment. Evaluators of a 1987 South Australian cannabis reform found that decriminalization leads to the creation of more jobs and higher levels of trust in law enforcement (Hughes and Stevens, 2010). Mexico and Portugal have both decriminalized drugs, but each has seen very different …show more content…
A study of former inmates in Washington state found that death rates were highest among all user populations in the first two weeks after release (Caulkins et. Al., 2014). Caulkins and associates (2014) proposed that an education approach may be more efficient in preventing these deaths. An educational tactic is called for because abstinence and “Just say no” have been particularly ineffective in combating drug use. As a matter of fact, there is evidence that teens who have gone through D.A.R.E are more likely to use alcohol and tobacco than those who did not go through the program (Lilienfeld and Arkowitz,
Many for the legalization of drugs are particularly in favor for the legalization of marijuana. This stance is because most drug users are marijuana users. Marijuana has also been discussed to have medical properties but is tough to study due to its classification as a Schedule I substance. Marijuana has been found to combat pain, nausea, vomiting, …show more content…
The biggest change with decriminalization is that although punishments still exist they are less harsh than before. Decriminalization also means that the government does not regulate drugs. A common driving factor in decriminalization a change of focus from punishment to treatment. Evaluators of a 1987 South Australian cannabis reform found that decriminalization leads to the creation of more jobs and higher levels of trust in law enforcement (Hughes and Stevens, 2010). Mexico and Portugal have both decriminalized drugs, but each has seen very different …show more content…
A study of former inmates in Washington state found that death rates were highest among all user populations in the first two weeks after release (Caulkins et. Al., 2014). Caulkins and associates (2014) proposed that an education approach may be more efficient in preventing these deaths. An educational tactic is called for because abstinence and “Just say no” have been particularly ineffective in combating drug use. As a matter of fact, there is evidence that teens who have gone through D.A.R.E are more likely to use alcohol and tobacco than those who did not go through the program (Lilienfeld and Arkowitz,