Legalize or not legalize drugs - Essay Example

Task Peer review The question is whether to Legalize or not legalize drugs becomes a cause of disagreement in the independent moon base. Several discussions are held in the moon base, with some having a good background of the drugs while others are professionally equipped with the knowledge and dangers of drugs. Andrew miller has clearly brought this vividly in his book, where he brings the theme well through his characters. The moon is a free from any rules, and therefore, members call for an urgent meeting to see the prospect of free moon and a moon with rules to govern it. The characters have been selected appropriately, and each has a good background of the topic of study. Through description of the characters, it is also evident, that some of them support the idea of rules to govern the use of drugs, while some do not. The moon is already equipped with all kinds of population, including doctors, teachers, engineers and others. Sergey tivov is one of the occupants of the moon base, who is approximately 68 earth years and is a scientist of Russian origin. The youthfulness is still in him, and in addition, forms one of the people that propose the independence of the moon, not forgetting, he is the founder of moon greenhouse project stimulated by the bacteria he brought from the earth. He is obsessed with drugs due to his previous work on earth, with the USSR, where he was developing how to control their enemies with Marijuana. He, therefore, has an experience in the field. Also in the moon base is Rodger Smith, 65 years of earth. As much as he is not that youthful, people still owe him respect as he forms one of the respected people in the moon base. He is a former mayor and although, he supports the independence of the moon base he does not support the legality element of drugs, since the drugs that caused him to lose his beloved one. With them is also Maria Santarosa, who also has enormous knowledge of the drugs, she is from Mexico where she escaped the execution of her parents who were opium growers. Her knowledge of how much the parents were making on the drug business, make her oppose the idea of illegalizing some of the drugs, which has formed her main business in the moon base; due to some of the seeds she stole form the parents before arriving on the moon base. With common interests, a strong relationship has been developed between her and Sergey to strengthen their ambitions. Among the other characters in the moon is also Jasper Hutchins, who from experience strongly denies legalizations of drugs. His family suffered from drug abuse, and in addition, was almost a prey to the drug abuse, when he engaged in the drug business after graduation. His appearance in the moon base is because of an effort by Alpha, who guaranteed him a prosperous life and is even surprised when people are for the legalization of drugs. Magena is a 24 years old American writer who forms part of the government in the moon base. Last, of all the noble characters is Watson, well equipped with the knowledge of computer and in spite of all has the ability to find solutions to various arising issues swiftly. The debate of the legality of drugs starts in an interesting humble tone, with brief background reminder of the previous meeting. In as much as the characters might be treated as stereotypes from their background in drugs, their argument is healthy, considering some of them speak for their interest; while, others speak from experience. The urgency of issues is made clear to people, creating emphasis that a decision needs to be arrived at before the end of the session. The argument forms a tag of war between the interests of the moon base occupants who want the debate through in order to detach themselves from the earth federation. With this in minds, Sergey brakes the ice by declaring legality of drugs based on the facts, that the moon base economy cannot support itself once independent from the earth with the only surety to the economy being drugs. He furthers terms this a mutual relationship, as both the government and the growers of the drugs will benefit. As much as this is opposed by Jasper, Sergey continues the argument by demonstrating that the life is full of choices that people must make. In a brief summary, Watson gives a brief background of the effects of drugs. How is has affected the police department and the medical complications it has brought. Maria further promotes her point of argument, when she points out that everyone is autonomous when making decisions concerning their body and what they apply on it. Rodger concerning the strength of the matter questions this. In response to this Sergey explains the legalization of the drugs will not take overtime, but takes time to implement. Rodgers totally disagrees with this arguing that, instead of making the drugs legal it should the reverse with improvements being made on the pharmaceuticals in the moon base to improve and control the drugs. Is its totally objected by Sergey, who instead says that people can emerge through by natural selection. As the argument intensifies, Rodgers is not happy with the all idea attributing it to death and reorganization of people in terms of health and their general life. Sergey further supports the legalization of drugs basing his facts that through legalizing the drugs oppressions faced in prisons will be minimized. This is questioned by Maria, as to how this is possible supported by Rodgers who claims the prisons are to capacity. The topic is changes, when Jasper raises a question of the role of pharmaceutical companies existing in the moon base and their credibility if allowed to make any type of medicine. This is countered by Sergey asking him to have a sense of trust on people since legalizing them to manufacture any kind of drug e encourages competition among the, at the same time reducing price. This is dismissed by Watson, who in support by an article posted in earth arguing that lower prices can as well be from branding of drugs. While concluding, there is a difference in interest expressed in the moon, with each party expressing his opinion based on what he wants, but not on what is convenient for the moon citizens. Sergey, for example, supports the legalization of the drugs due to his involvement in the drugs, but not based on the welfare of the citizens. This is a sign of a liberal community, where everyone’s ideas are incorporated in decision-making. Works Cited Philip Bean. Legalizing Drugs: Debates and Dilemmas. Loughborough: The Policy Press, 2010 Read More