Political Views: The War on Drugs
I believe that a comprehensive revision of our nation’s drug policy is needed to adequately protect our civil liberties while effectively addressing the social issue of drug abuse. I believe that the government’s anti-drug policy should be re-focused along the following guidelines:
1) Legalization of non-addictive drugs such as marijuana for adult (18+ years). Marijuana is a non-addictive substance and does not cause serious health problems like those caused by tobacco or alcohol (e.g., strong addiction, cancer, heart problems, birth defects, emphysema, liver damage, etc.). Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning and more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and does not cause death by overdose (technically it can but you'd need to consume a ridiculously large amount to do so). Marijuana does not cause brain damage, genetic damage, or damage the immune system. Unlike alcohol, marijuana does not kill brain cells or induce violent behavior. Respiratory health hazards can be totally eliminated by consuming marijuana via non-smoking methods, i.e., ingesting marijuana via baked foods, tincture, or vaporizer. The most common problem attributed to marijuana is lethargic behavior and overeating. In addition, legal prohibition does not stop consumers from consuming marijuana nor does not stop traffickers from producing and selling it. Cannabis arrests now comprise nearly 47.5 percent of all drug arrests in the United States with approximately 10 million Americans arrested on marijuana charges in the past ten years. As such, I believe that the government should legalize non-addictive drugs such as marijuana rather than spending enormous amount of money (i.e. arresting, processing, and jailing marijuana users) on something which is not a danger to the public. Citizens would be able to grow and produce marijuana for personal and commercial purposes (commercial marijuana would be regulated by the FDA and would be subject to taxation). Laws against operating motor vehicle while impaired by marijuana would remain in place.
2) Decriminalize the use of addictive illegal drugs for adults (18+ years) but increase the criminal penalty for the production and selling of addictive illegal drugs. I believe that citizens have a right to consume any substance they wish so long as their consumption does not impinge on the life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness of another citizen. In other words, I hold that the government does not have the right to dictate what I do and do not do to my own body. However, I do believe that the government has the right to regulate the production and sale of goods (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution). As such, I believe that while citizens have the right to use illegal drugs, the government has the right to restrict their production and sale. Therefore, I believe that the goal of anti-drug policy should be to focus on the supplier side of the equation, rather than on the consumer side of the equation.
3) Outlaw random drug testing in the workplace. I believe that random drug testing in the workplace is an invasion of employee privacy. Employees should not be punished for recreational activity outside the workplace provided that the activity in question is not illegal. However, I do think businesses should retain the right to fire employees who use recreational drugs/alcohol on company property/time or if consumption interferes with work productivity.
4) I think the United States should abandon the War on Drugs and criminalization approach. IMO, the War on Drugs has been an abject failure as it:
(a) does not address the underlying causes of drugs
(b) has failure to stop or even reduce drug use
© brings up questions about personal freedoms and the legitimacy of imprisoning adults for consuming drugs they choose to consume;
(d) spends extraordinary sums of money both domestically and internationally for little positive results
Instead, I would like to see the U.S. model its drug policy after Portugal's 2001 drug reform. Individuals found guilty of possessing small amounts of drugs are sent to a panel consisting of a psychologist, social worker and legal adviser for appropriate treatment (which may be refused without criminal punishment), instead of jail. Government would shift money towards support for abuse treatment programs and primary prevention.
(This post was last modified: 07-10-2010 03:02 PM by UofL07.)
|