Should the Use of All Drugs Now Classified as Illicit Be Decriminalized - Coursework Example

Drugs and Decriminalisation Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Introduction In every society, there is great evidence of crime commission. There has never been a stop to it or even a limit to the much crimes committed. A crime refers to the act committed that is against the laws or rules of a governing authority in an organization. Different societies describe or define crimes differently (Califano, 2007). It should be noted that commitment of any crime is violation of law but not every law violation is referred to as a crime. The use of drugs in most parts of the world especially the hard drugs are termed as crime. This is because the users of drugs have been involved in so many crimes against humanity like murder, rape, violence against humanity and robbery among other (Richard, 2011). Decriminalisation of all drug use termed as illicit may or may not have great harm. Either way, there are pros and cons. Illicit drugs decriminalization There are a number of drugs that are termed as illicit. These are mostly drugs that are prohibited by the laws of the country for protecting the health of human beings. On the other hand, the same illicit drugs are prescribed for medical purposes or for the good intention of the user. In such cases, the dosage is what matters most (Califano, 2007). Illicit drugs refer to the drugs that are prohibited for use by human beings. Many countries have also prohibited trade in illicit drugs except when licensed. Laws on drug prohibition have been into existence since the 19th century (Karin et el 1996). Opium was the first drug to be prohibited for sale in the world especially in Britain. It was due to that law that many people secretly ventures into drug smuggling a situation that led most of the government incompetence in terms of controlling the drugs (Chad, 2007). It should be noted that if the drugs sale were not prohibited then the government would be able to control the quantity of drugs smuggled into the country (Califano, 2007). Illegal drug trade has a number of effects in the society. This has been evidenced especially in countries where the illicit drugs are produced. Some of these illicit drugs include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, mandrax and bhang. The countries receiving those drugs, which are illegally exported, are equally affected. Violence for instance is one of the negative effects associated with illicit drug consumption. This is because most of the users seem to lose control of their minds such that they are no longer able to morally control themselves. As a result, they end up doing things that lead to human impunity. Many people have ended up killing or murdering even their keens because of illicit drug consumption. According to the ethical facts, a person under the influence of illicit drugs is likely to find it easy to do things that are contrarily to the requirements of the society as compared to the person that is not under the influence of the drugs (Califano, 2007). This explains why a man that is thirty years of age will be able rape a young girl that is aged five years. Apart from violence, many people and especially the youths who are under the influence of illicit drugs fins themselves easily breaking the rules (Chad, 2007). Many of the wreck less drivers or the traffic rules breakers are usually under the influence of illicit drugs. It is due to these issues that most countries came up with laws prohibiting the sale use of these drugs (Adrian, 2003). Amazingly, the same countries are also on the process or have already decriminalization d the used of these drugs for different reasons. The decriminalization has also its advantages as well as disadvantages. In most countries illicit drugs are associated with so many vices hence the need to formulate laws that could deal with the trade (Chad, 2007). There also a number of moral implications as far as decriminalization of the illicit drugs are concerned Arguments for ethical relativism of illicit drugs decriminalization Previously jail termed that was served by the illicit drug traders and users was meant for the good of the users. The jail term is served according to the intensity of the crime as per the country in question. Many countries have thought of changing that. This is whereby countries like some countries have led to adjustment of such laws (Califano, 2007). For example, the Dutch does not enforce its laws that target the shops dealing with the trade. In Portugal, there was total abolishment of any penalty that dealt with personal possess of the drug. The main point being that each human being is responsible for their health meaning that they take the drugs on their own account and at their own risk (Inciardi et el., 1998). This jail term penalty was substituted by offering of therapy for the patients. This has be en supported morally sine instead of jailing someone and subjecting them to self-condemnation or distress it is better to offer them help. This is whereby they are taken to a rehabilitation centre. This has been supported in most countries even ethically and that is why so many countries have offered financial support through the government to put up rehabilitation centres (Chad, 2007). At the rehabilitation centre, there are the psychiatrics, social workers as well as legal advisers who are willing to help the victim through out their crises (Califano, 2007). There are people who felt that this would also be a boost to the economy since to some it will be a way of earning a living and honestly, as far as the laws of the country are concerned hence decreasing social crimes like robbery. Arguments against ethical relativism of illicit drugs decriminalization Catholic especially in Portugal where decriminalization of illicit drugs was enforced has raised some negative feelings concerning the matter. This is whereby they argue that the process will turn their country to be a site for drug tourist (Califano, 2007). This is because many people from different parts of the world where drug decriminalization is not done will travel in the country to have the pleasure using the drugs. It has been argued out in America that the process of decriminalization of drugs will lead many minors to use the drug at their tender age (Inciardi et el., 1998). The ethical aspect of this being the fact that they will be denied to make decisions for their own of what is good and what is bad as far as the use of drugs is concerned. In addition, because these drugs leads to mental deterioration, many of the young people will not be useful people in the society since they will be less productive. Schools are also likely to turn out to be chaotic to manager (Chad, 2007). This is because it is evidenced that young people are hard to control and matters are worse if they are control of the hard drugs. Many socialist have also observed that decriminalization of these drugs will lead to negative impact in the family. This is because in some families there may arise some conflicts, which may lead to separation, divorces and even prolonged violence among the family members due to disagreements on issues Academic comment The legalization of illicit drugs has bots advantages and disadvantaged. This is both to the individuals as well as the country. It is obvious that legalization will lead to high revenue in terms of taxes (Califano, 2007). This is very advantageous to the economy since there will foreign income especially because the sale of these products will is done in an open market. It is also evident that decriminalization of the illicit drugs will lead to a reduction in the conflicts existing between federal deficits and the states. This is through elimination of the expenditures that are involved in prohibition enforcement (Richard, 2011). It is a way that also ensures arrests for trafficking of these drugs is eliminated and those other matters of national security are dealt with. The expenses for prosecuting the criminals on account for drug abuse are also reduced and finally taxation for the drugs is allowed (Rolles, 2010). There is also an aspect of moral grounds in the sense that people are left with an opportunity to choose what is good and what is bad for them. On the other hand, people in the farming industry fear that drug legalization will led to lack of market for their crops. This is because it will end up reducing the value of their crops and as a result, most of them will be demoralized and will not indulge into farming (Chad, 2007). This is likely then to bring a crisis in such countries. The farmers dealing with other cash crops like coffees will be in fear that other farmers will turn into corporate or large growers of these illicit drug plants like tobacco. Conclusion Decriminalization of drugs can be both of advantage and disadvantage but what matters is that the political or law driven by ethical or moral consideration. The stigmatization that the drug users and dealers encounter can be morally demining which makes it morally unethical but the decriminalization law enables the drug users to acquire the help they need especially those that are deeply involved in drug addiction. Most of the socialist believe that the stigma that is involved in drug use needs to be removed. The law of legalizing illicit drugs can morally be unethical especially because it may encourage moral decay and abandonment of family values. This is because the drugs will be readily available for the children and at an affordable price for them. As a result most of them due to peer pressure may end up indulge in drug abuse. This can result to conflicts in families especially with their parents hence interfering with family values. The countries may suffer also because the majority age that is likely to indulge in drug abuse is the productive one hence interfering with their health, which may cause negative affect to the productivity since the workforce is unhealthy and unable to work efficiently and effectively. Reference Adrian, B. (2003). Illicit drug: use control. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Califano, J. (2007). Should drugs be decriminalised? No. BMJ, vol. 335, no. 967 Chad, K. (2007). Should drugs be decriminalised? Yes. BMJ, vol. 335, no. 966 Currie, E. (1993). Drug Use Should Be Decriminalized. At Issue: Legalizing Drugs, 55–64. Inciardi, J., & Christine, A. (1998). Rpt. in Legalizing Drugs Would Increase Violent Crime. Current Controversies: Illegal Drugs. Charles P. Cozic, ed., San Diego, CA.: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1998: 142–150. Karin, L., & Swisher, ed. (1996). Toward a Policy on Drugs: Decriminalization? Legalization? San Diego, CA: Prentice Hall Publishers Richard, I. (2011). Illicit drugs. Denver: Rowman & Littlefield. Rolles, S. (2010). An alternative to the war on drugs. BMJ, vol. 341 Read More