Did you know that 19.9 million people in the U.S, which makes up 8% of the population, consumed some sort of illegal drug in the past month? In the 1960’s, drugs became more popular among the youth as a sign of political opposition and rebellion. Due to this sudden shift in drug usage, the government demanded medical research to evaluate safety. On June 18, 1971, President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs. He immediately imposed actions such as no-knock search warrants and mandatory sentencing terms. Along with this, he radically increased the size and the power of federal drug control agencies. Presidents after Nixon, such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, have also expanded and sustained the drug war. Despite supporting certain reforms
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First, the government should not legalize drugs since current reforms to the drug policy will better combat the war on drugs. Recently, President Obama has reduced more drug related offenses than any other president. The president does this in hoping that people will seek treatment instead of being locked up in prison. The senate is also considering The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which shrinks minimum mandatory sentencing. This gives judges more freedom in sentencing criminals to crimes they actually committed. Once again, the hope is that this reduces the number of people returning to prison, while increasing the number of people receiving drug treatment. Along with the senate, sixteen states have reduced drug sentencing (Williams, 2016). Minimizing drug sentences recognizes drug addiction, which is better treated than incarcerated. Thus, illegal drugs should remain illegal. Crime will always exist no matter if drugs are illegal or not is the second con. Even if drugs are legalized, the price will remain somewhat high due to excessive taxation. This means drug users will still commit crimes in order to feed the habit. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence expects crime rate to be comparable to past crime rates. They also claim drug use causes domestic violence. Drugs have played a role in 9% of all domestic violence cases, and they have also played a role in 5% of spousal abuse cases (“Alcohol, Drugs”). These rates would possibly increase if drugs were legalized causing more harm to society. Due to stealing crime rates remaining the same and domestic abuse increasing, the government should not legalize drugs. The third con claims Physical and psychological addiction will increase if drugs are legalized. Physical addiction sets in when the body requires foreign chemicals or drugs to continue regular body functions. The person becomes dependent on these
First, the government should not legalize drugs since current reforms to the drug policy will better combat the war on drugs. Recently, President Obama has reduced more drug related offenses than any other president. The president does this in hoping that people will seek treatment instead of being locked up in prison. The senate is also considering The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which shrinks minimum mandatory sentencing. This gives judges more freedom in sentencing criminals to crimes they actually committed. Once again, the hope is that this reduces the number of people returning to prison, while increasing the number of people receiving drug treatment. Along with the senate, sixteen states have reduced drug sentencing (Williams, 2016). Minimizing drug sentences recognizes drug addiction, which is better treated than incarcerated. Thus, illegal drugs should remain illegal. Crime will always exist no matter if drugs are illegal or not is the second con. Even if drugs are legalized, the price will remain somewhat high due to excessive taxation. This means drug users will still commit crimes in order to feed the habit. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence expects crime rate to be comparable to past crime rates. They also claim drug use causes domestic violence. Drugs have played a role in 9% of all domestic violence cases, and they have also played a role in 5% of spousal abuse cases (“Alcohol, Drugs”). These rates would possibly increase if drugs were legalized causing more harm to society. Due to stealing crime rates remaining the same and domestic abuse increasing, the government should not legalize drugs. The third con claims Physical and psychological addiction will increase if drugs are legalized. Physical addiction sets in when the body requires foreign chemicals or drugs to continue regular body functions. The person becomes dependent on these