Legalize Possession of Illegal Drugs but Not Their Use

There have been numerous arguments for the legalization of drugs. I would like to introduce an alternate solution to the drug problem in America. First, let's look at how illegal drugs are harmful.

Question #1

Does the use of illegal drugs pose a danger to society?

I think, with the exception of PCP and Meth, people under the influence of narcotics do not pose a danger to society. They are too high to pose a danger to anyone but themselves. In addition, it would be pretty hard to commit a crime while high on marijuana, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, and mushrooms. The possession of any "Date Rape"� drugs, however, should remain illegal.

Question #2

Does the use of illegal drugs pose a danger to the individual drug user?

Obviously, the answer to this question is a resounding yes. Therefore, the use of drugs should remain illegal.

Question #3

Why legalize the possession of drugs, yet not the use of drugs?

Because of the MONEY! Basic principles of supply and demand. Possession of drugs is illegal. Therefore, you have to pay a premium to buy drugs. Which results in enormously profits in the criminal business of supplying drugs, and the harmful means which drug users which result to obtain this high priced commodity.

Question #4

Who profits from the high price of illegal drugs?

First, the manufacturers, who make illegal drugs all around the world, profit like the cartels in South America producing cocaine, terrorist in Afghanistan and warlords in Southeast Asia producing opium and heroin and good old boys in the United States making Meth just to name a few.

Second, the importers of drugs profit from the transportation of illegal drugs within countries and especially across borders. Everyone has a hand in this activity from the cartels, terrorist, warlords, individuals, organized crime and street gangs.

Third, once the drugs make it to their destination cartels, individuals, organized crime and street gangs make huge profits in the sale and distribution of drugs.

The profits made from the sale of high priced illegal drugs is a huge industry. This is evidenced by the major increase in the need for money laundering services around the world.

Question #5

Who pays the price for the high price of illegal drugs?

Society pays the high price for the acquisition of illegal drugs. Society pays for the price of drug sniffing dogs at our borders, police and DEA agents assigned to stop the illegal trafficking of illegal drugs. Also, most countries use their military in an effort to eradicate the production of illegal drugs. How much does all of this cost the taxpayer?

The overcrowding of prisoners due to possession of drugs, assaults and murders due to defending highly profitable drug territories by gangs and organized crime. Individual drug users who stole, embezzled, robbed, car-jacked and murdered to get the money to pay for their high price illegal narcotics also end up in our overcrowded prisoners.

The highest price paid seems to be the innocent victims who get caught in the middle of all the criminal activity as a result of the high price of drugs.

Question #6

What happens if we legalize the possession of illegal drugs?

The price goes down because the possession, sale and distribution of narcotics is no longer a crime, resulting in a domino effect for all those who make a profit from illegal drugs. Precious government resources can be shifted from prevention of drug trafficking to enforcement to prevent drug use. It we be much less profitable to manufacture, traffic, distribute and sell drugs. Criminal organizations will lose their most profitable money making tool.

There will be less gang violence due to fighting over drug territory. Drug addicts will be less likely to engage in criminal activity because drugs will be cheaper to obtain. Therefore, drug related criminal activity will decrease relieving prison overcrowding and our overburden court system.

There will be less victims of drug related crimes and violence once the profit is taken out of selling and distributing drugs. Cheaper drugs means addicts will be less likely to engage in criminal activity to acquire drugs. Which will also decrease the number of innocent victims as a result of drug related crimes.

Question #7

Will the legalization of possession of illegal drugs make the law against the use of narcotics harder to enforce?

Yes. However, I think this is a small price to pay in exchange for the tremendous benefits of legalizing drug possession.

Conclusion

The individual use of illegal drugs causes little damage to society. The high price of obtaining illegal drugs and the collective profit to be made from the manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal drugs causes irreparable harm to society not only monetarily, but more importantly in individual lives damaged and lost.