Should We Legalise Drugs?
It is a powerful question. One that evokes all kinds of immediate, knee-jerk responses; from "yea, way to go dude!", to "oh my God no, it will destroy this country". But let's try to get past the immediate gut response and look at the situation calmly and coolly. The main fear, and argument against legalisation, is that the number of drug users will increase, perhaps doubling, tripling, or quadrupling; until we become a nation of drug crazed zombies - something approaching "Night of the Living Dead", but presumably without the cannibalism, but who knows. This fear, and much used argument, has no basis in fact or any scientific study. People who are inclined to use drugs are already using drugs. People who are not inclined to use drugs are not using drugs. That won't change once drugs are legal (or decriminalised).
It is not as if the law is the only thing stopping drug users from using drugs. For young people, drugs are readily available in college and high school (and probably junior high as well). Kids can go to parties and partake of drugs, mostly marijuana, if they choose - in a fairly safe and secure environment, surrounded by their friends and peers. The last thing on their minds is the law. If a kid in that situation would not use drugs (and most do not); why does anyone think that same kid would use drugs just because they are legal? In fact, one can argue, somewhat convincingly, that some kids use drugs precisely because they are illegal. They are bucking the system, saying a big "fuck you" to their parents and society as whole. Drugs are "cool" because they are illegal. Drugs would become a lot less "cool" if they were no longer illegal. Now that is not to say that a 14 year old should be allowed to purchase or use drugs - minors will always have fewer rights than adults - but if the nation-wide atmosphere of paranoia about drugs were removed from the scene, that would have an effect on minor's drug use. Just as there will always be that segment of youth that smokes, even though cigarettes sales to minors are illegal; and drinks, even though liquor sales to minors (or even adults under the age of 21) are illegal; there will always be that segment of youth that uses drugs; no matter what laws are on the books.
