Drug Legalization Essay, Research Paper
Drug Education and Prevention
Question #2
March 8th 2000
Will the legalization of certain drugs reduce the crime rate in the United States? This question has baffled United States lawmakers, reformists, and citizens alike for so long that many people probably consider it a rhetorical question. With this in mind, I think that the only solution would be to go to the research and see what studies would say about the dilemma. For this particular paper, I found some research that looked at the legalization of marijuana in the United States, and I think for all intensive purposes, it is the best drug to discuss in respect to legalization anyway.
To be completely honest, I think that marijuana should be legalized in our country. That is just a personal opinion, that I?m sure is shared by the majority of kids that are my age as well. But, personally I do not use marijuana for medical or medicinal purposes, but at least fifty percent of the people that I associate with do use it so I am familiar with it. One of the reasons that I think it should be legalized is the fact that alcohol is legal. In all of my experiences with the two drugs, I believe that the effects of alcohol definitely outweigh those of marijuana. Let?s just say that I would much rather be on the highway with someone who is stoned on pot than to be on the highway with someone that is really drunk. I also think that legalizing marijuana would cause the supply and demand to shift and the price would plummet, alleviating the need of some to rob and kill for enough money to support their habit. I could argue my point for paragraphs, but instead, I will see what research says about it, and who knows, I may change my mind. The article that I used for this paper came from the June 1998 issue of The Journal of Legal Medicine. It is entitled ?Is the debate a Smoke Screen for Movement Toward Legalization.? The author cites in the article an episode of the sitcom Murphy brown, where actress Candice Bergen smokes a joint on national television for medicinal purposes while suffering from breast cancer. The author believes that the nationally televised sitcom endorsed a drug that has not been accepted by the FDA yet and that the event may be a foreshadowing of the future of the drug in our country.
In the article, the author posed the same question that we are faced with in this essay? The author believes that before the US legalizes the drug, that they should look at another country?s experiences with crime where the drug is legal. In this particular case, he uses Holland as a comparison. The statistics that he found were very shocking to me.
The author of the article found that: ?between 1984 and 1992, marijuana use among males between the ages of 12 and 18 increased by 277 percent.? During this particular time; ?shootings increased 40 percent, car thefts increased 62 percent, and hold-ups increased 69 percent.? Whether or not these statistics can be proven to be due to the legalization of marijuana is hard to prove, but they definitely make one think about it.
Also in the article, the author reveals that: ?75 percent of criminal offenders in the United States believe that they were under some influence of marijuana at the time of the crime, and 7 percent of those who committed homicides believe their actions were directly related to their use of marijuana.?
Although there are flaws on both sides of the dispute, one of the strongest points to the anti-legalization movement is the argument that marijuana is a gateway drug which leads to the use of harder, more addictive drugs. In this particular article, the author cites a study in which out of all of the persons studied, ?20 percent of persons who use marijuana were three to ten times more likely to go on to use cocaine, and 75 percent of persons who used marijuana 100 or more times later used cocaine.? Another strong argument is that if the US legalizes the drug for medicinal purposes, then it will precipitate the legalization of marijuana on a higher scale, a more recreational scale.
So, the only thing that I can conclude is that the legalization of marijuana is a very problematic dilemma that the United States has been faced with for many years. Both sides have considerable arguments, but there is still so much controversy and gray area that follows the subject. Like most other Americans, I have a lot of difficulty taking either side. I think that the only way to resolve the problem is to continue to research marijuana, it?s benefits and it?s dangers, and see which ones outweigh the others. It is then and only then that lawmakers should make their ultimate decision about the fate of the drug in our country.
All information from this paper came from the article: Is the Debate a Smoke Screen for Movement Toward Legalization? The Journal of Legal Medicine. June, 1998
Другие работы по теме:
Drug Legalization Essay Research Paper Legality Although
Drug Legalization Essay, Research Paper Legality, Although it is clear that society is unhappy with current efforts to stop illegal drug smuggling, illegal drug use and distribution, no one seems to know what should be done. With drug use and drug related crime on the rise, some Americans argue that current drug law is too easy on drug offenders.
Drug Essay Essay Research Paper Andrew Mattus121000English
Drug Essay Essay, Research Paper Andrew Mattus 12/10/00 English Mrs. Mantle Drug Essay There is no question that drugs are prevalent in the United States today and that something should be done about it. Drugs hurt society in so many ways; people die, loose their jobs, and lose their families all because of addiction.
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay Research Paper The
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay, Research Paper The purpose of this paper is to discuss marijuana and compare the issue of legalizing it from both sides. We have two factions fighting each other, those who are pro-marijuana and those who are anti-marijuana. These two factions have been fighting on this issue in the halls of justice for years.
Ritalin Essay Research Paper Ritalin is a
Ritalin Essay, Research Paper Ritalin is a drug used to quell HYPERCATIVE children and perk up the inattentive. Six times as much ritalin was used in 1995 than in 1990
Drugs Essay Research Paper For several decades
Drugs Essay, Research Paper For several decades drugs have been one of the major problems of society. Not only has the drug problem increased but also drug related problems are on the rise. Some people are born addicts, while others become users. The result of drug abuse is thousands of addicts in denial. One controversial solution to the drug problem is the proposal of legalizing drugs.
Legalize It Essay Research Paper Legalize It
Legalize It Essay, Research Paper Legalize It! Many feel today we are loosing the war on drugs. When a battle goes to the point where there is no winner there needs to be a re-evaluation of how to solve the problem. In the case of the war against drugs, years of fighting have caused increased crime, overcrowding of prisons and the wasted use of money and resources with no results.
Jail Or Rehab The Government
’s Choice Essay, Research Paper In order to solve a problem, the cause must be understood. This is why drug treatment is the right and only approach to to the drug problem in the U.S. There are many factors that lead to an addiction, whether they are socioeconomic and environmental situations, an act of rebellion, or used as an escape, millions of people turn to drugs.
Drugs Essay Research Paper Reasons For The
Drugs Essay, Research Paper Reasons For The Legalization Of Drugs We will never get rid of drugs and until we realize this we will still have one of the worst education systems, the largest imprisonment rate, the largest crime rate, and a depletion of money from other more important budgets. Legalizing drugs will create drug regulation, crime reduction, and increased revenue for the government.
Marijuana 6 Essay Research Paper Medical MarijuanaMarijuana
Marijuana 6 Essay, Research Paper Medical Marijuana? Marijuana, a drug that has been studied for many decades, provides for a very heated argument. No longer is it seen solely as a hallucinogen, but some claim that it is miracle drug for chemotherapy and glaucoma patients. However, no legitiment medical organizations, see marijuana as a safe and effective medicine.
Regional Drug Taskforce Essay Research Paper Northeast
Regional Drug Taskforce Essay, Research Paper Northeast Texas Regional Drug Taskforce has increased activity 60 percent last year. The additional drug busts were not easy as the area’s most widely manufactured drug – a cheap form of methamphetamine called “crank” – is now produced literally on the road in automobiles.
The Drug War Essay Research Paper Everyday
The Drug War Essay, Research Paper Everyday someone is thrown in state prison for anywhere from 3 years to life for the “illegal” use of the drug known as marijuana. It has come down to it that thousands of pounds of marijuana are smuggled over the border of Mexico and into the United States. Regardless of the fight or struggle of people to insure the so said safety of our younger generations from the use of these drugs more and more comes into the Unites States.
Marijuana Essay Research Paper IssuesThe issue I
Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Issues The issue I would like to bring up is the legalization of medical and/or recreational marijuana. I feel this would be beneficial to most everyone, both users and non-users. Marijuana has been proven to help a great deal for glaucoma sufferers as stated in the Hallucinogenic Encyclopedia.
Weed Essay Research Paper The Marijuana Reform
Weed Essay, Research Paper The Marijuana Reform Party believes: That adults who choose to use marijuana in the privacy of their own homes should not be subject to civil or criminal sanctions.
The Banning Of
“E For Ecstasy” By Nicholas Saunders Essay, Research Paper The Banning of “E for Ecstasy” by Nicholas Saunders The book entitled E for Ecstasy, by Nicholas Saunders, is a book of
Drugs Essay Research Paper In today
Drugs Essay, Research Paper In today’s society, drugs have been a very obvious problem espescially amongst teenagers and young adults. . I feel that an answer can be found if people stop
Drugs And AIDS Essay Research Paper Hopkins
Drugs And AIDS Essay, Research Paper Hopkins University. In the U.S gay men still make up the primary risk group,although 750,000 to 1 milliondrug addicts are believed to be at risk to AIDS nationally. The problem here is thesharing of needles, which is causing the spread of AIDS. IV drug abusers arekilling our nation at an amazingly fast speed.
Mistakes To Avoid In Legalitzation Of Drus
Essay, Research Paper Mistakes to Avoid in the Legalization of Drugs If in fact drug legalization does take place in the United States, it is pertinent that the government not make the same mistakes in doing so that they did decades ago with the end of prohibition (Schmoke 897). The government failed to take any preventive measures against alcohol once it was legalized, such as anti-drinking campaigns or any kind of education programs to inform the public about the dangers of alcohol (Schmoke 897).
LSD Essay Research Paper LSD is a
LSD Essay, Research Paper LSD is a hallucinogen. In fact, it is the most potent hallucinogen known to man. LSD is 100 times more potent than psilocybin or psylicin and is 4000 times more potent than mescaline. It was synthesized in 1938 by a chemist who worked in Switzerland. There were no benefits for this drug that were found, so its study was discontinued.
Drug Legalization Essay Research Paper 42797EthicsEssayDrugs Should
Drug Legalization Essay, Research Paper 4/27/97 Ethics Essay Drugs Should NOT Be Legalized I remember when I was in High School over fifteen students got suspended or arrested for drug related incidents. Students were charged with possession, selling, or caught using drugs. Many students often used to show up to class high waiting to get caught.
Drug Abuse Essay Research Paper Drug AbuseDrug
Drug Abuse Essay, Research Paper Drug Abuse Drug abuse affects many people all through the world. Drug use among Americans has risen to very high levels since the 1970’s. Drugs can be very dangerous if used in the wrong way. The purpose of this research report is to discuss the use and abuse of drugs. It also discuss’ the prevention programs against drugs.
Drug Lealization Essay Research Paper Drug legalization
Drug Lealization Essay, Research Paper Drug legalization is a hotly debated topic in today s society. Proponents of this plan state that it will put drug dealers out of business and take away the rebellious allure that causes many young people to take drugs. This theory could not be farther from the truth. If illegal drugs were legalized, drug dealers would be brought to the forefront of one of the fastest growing industries in history.
Theories On Drug Legalization Essay Research Paper
Theories of Drug Legalization If Drugs were legal they would be easily accessable and legal, Goverment would receive revenue, It deters crime of people obtaining drugs, and gives better emotional state of americans. The other side of this is the highly possible death by overdose, psychological problems because of drug abuse, anarchy over the alleged govermental control over drugs increase the number of drug addicts, lead to more children using drugs,increase the number of hard-core addicts, increase drug-related problems and costs, and increase crime There is another argument of Prohibition, and the war on drugs in theory isn’t valid, because like in 1919 , when alcohol was outlawed, all that prove to do was defeat the purpose of prohibition by glamorizing Drugs and Alcohol through the black market because people need Drugs and Alcohol, and that’s reality.
Should Drugs Be Legalized My View Essay
, Research Paper Should Drugs Be Legalized; My View It seems as if the cry of “legalize drugs!” is heard everywhere. Some argue that legalizing drugs is the way to “win” the drug war. Drug enforcement does place a burden on us. Economic resources are used up that could be used elsewhere. But the consequences of legalizing drugs would make an already large problem out of control.
Legalize It Essay Research Paper In the
Legalize It Essay, Research Paper In the words of Peter Tosh “legalize it do not criticize it!” Marijuana Should ve legalized for medicinal, recreational, and religioys purposes. Legalization has been a big issus for the last couple of years. Arizona and Califouria have both instated medical Marijuana laws.These laws are a huge step for universal legalization.
Legal Marijuana Essay Research Paper Legalization of
Legal Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Legalization of Marijuana By: Michelle Jarka E-mail: shellgal8@aol Legalization of Marijuana Should marijuana be legalized? This has been an enormous controversial issue for the last couple of decades. It?s a drug that can be good for you, yet cause many great dangers.
How To Pass A Drug Test Essay
, Research Paper How To Pass A Drug Test. To pass a drug test it is very important to estalish the length of time which the metabolties will be in your body. If you can establish this and then cease
Legalizing Hard Drugs Essay Research Paper Legalizing
Legalizing Hard Drugs Essay, Research Paper Legalizing Hard Drugs I believe that the State and Federal governments should legalize hard drugs. The legalization of hard drugs will benefit many people for many reasons. First of all, there will no longer be a black market for illegal drugs, which will minimize the nation s crime scene significantly.
Be Healthy And Drug Free Essay Research
Paper Be Healthy and Drug Free To be healthy and drug free means much more than it sounds. It means turning down peer pressure, not using drugs, and not feeling the need to use
The Legalization Of Drugs Essay Research Paper
The legalization of drugs; a risk not worth taking Arguments concerning the repeal of the 18th amendment, drug prohibition, have not changed much over the last seventy years; the questions are the same, the concerns are the same, and the policy is the same; the way it should be. Both sides are in a constant battle over the legality of drugs: Proponents of drug prohibition insist that the effects on society would be disastrous- wide-spread addiction, increased crime – Opponents of drug prohibition insist that drug legalization would allow society to prosper – potency control, crime reduction, tax revenues.
That Drugs Should Be Legalized Essay Research
Paper Explanation of Views That drugs should be legalized. There are great numbers of people in Australia who believe that legalizing hard-drugs, such as heroin, speed, cocaine etc, would improve the drug problem. This may be a true statement, however such legalization is yet to be proven, and can cause some severe consequences, which outweigh the possible benefits.
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay Research Paper Legalization
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Legalization of medical marijuana This act may be cited as the ? legalization of marijuana? Sec. 1 This bill will be for the well being of the pain stricken patients in our nation’s hospitals, a doctor that will decide if a patient is illegible to receive marijuana.