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I've always been betwixt and between on this question. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing marijuana legalized - used to be quite the pothead - but I'm never been a fan of folks addicted to heroin, meth or cocaine the latter two of which I have also "dabbled" with in the past. But on the other hand I like my drink but have known way too many alcoholics. Will legalization end drug related crimes? Even legal junkies need to make money to support their habits. So to answer the question, I just don't know.
Walter block states that prohibition drives up the cost of drugs. If legalized, theres less of a profit incentive to hook teens. Severe drug addicts can contact authorities if they need help. Society would be better off addressing depression and the like.
From a personal viewpoint, I would probably cringe at seeing all drugs legalized. I've only tried marijuana once, and once was enough for me. The fact is that prior to the 1920s, even the harder drugs like cocaine were legal and widely available in drug stores. America didn't have a problem with drug abuse back then, even with all these substances being fully legal. The problem with abuse & addiction started when all these drugs were made illegal and were criminalized because people still found ways to get them ... and they still find ways to this day. Keeping these substances restricted or fully banned only stimulates the black markets and cartels ... much like the controlling or banning of guns does.
So as much as I hate to say it, I think the solution is to legalize drugs. Personally, I'm opposed to such a measure ... but realistically, it's probably the only thing that can keep crime down, and reduce the impact of the underground black market. Much like alcohol was made illegal through Prohibition many years ago, the crime rate went up and the black market smuggling increased. When Prohibition was repealed, the black market impact nearly went away. There will always be a problem with abuse and addiction to any substance, but it seems like that problem is reduced once the criminal element is taken out of the equation.
All drugs should legalized, taxed, and regulated. Prohibition does nothing to stop people from doing drugs. I say quit spending all that money each year locking people up and searching for drugs.
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