Drug Legalization: Less Crime, More Addiction?

Ending the War on Drugs means acknowledging some serious side effects, says pundit

Image: AP

Well-known columnist George Will has a piece up at the Washington Post all about the terrible dilemma that drug prohibition - and its opposite, drug legalization - presents: a tradeoff between public health and crime.

Noting that alcohol prohibition in the 1920s was, contrary to what some believe, actually pretty effective in reducing alcohol consumption and associated health risks, Will acknowledges the rampant criminal behavior and violence that went along with efforts to suppress its sale.

And that, he says, is exactly the combination of good and bad that we face today in any discussion about legalization of illicit drugs. Relying on the expertise of drug policy guru Mark Kleiman among others, Will opines:

Legalization would mean drugs available from clean stores for customers not risking the stigma of breaking the law in furtive transactions with unsavory people.

Still, because the costs of prohibition - interdiction, mass incarceration, etc. - are staggeringly high, some people say, 'Let's just try legalization for a while.'

Will presents no easy answers, but promises in a forthcoming column to "suggest a more economic approach to the 'natural' problem of drugs."

Where do you come down? Would you legalize drugs? All of them? Some of them?

[classychazy]

Some of them not all.

[Kptpredsfan]

Legalize the natural ones (marijuana, salvia, psilocybin mushrooms.) first and evaluate the system again. I seriously doubt anyone would find a reason (other than morals or religion) against these drugs. Let police focus on the hard drugs like cocaine and meth during this time. Give the prison system some breathing room with fewer marijuana arrests to process. Once the evaluation period arrives do a detailed and bipartisan study and see where we stand. Marijuana would be a wonderful crop for American farmers and many products can be made from it, starting our own American based chain of business. Prohibition of drugs has been the only plan we have tried, and it has failed. If we want different results then lets have some different action. Legalize the natural drugs today!

[sasha_blue]

The war on drugs is as pointless as the war on terror. All it has done is allow police forces across the country to become more militarized, while benefiting weapons manufacturers to the tune of billions of dollars. Legalize natural substances and let people take personal responsibility for their choices.

[buddy140]

People are going to do what they are going to do. To use resources on jails, police,courts and the various other non-positive endeavours of government, does not make sense to me. Legalized it and give it away!!!!!! Mexico will be a much better place too!!

[politican1]

I don't care if more addiction as long as it is less crime.

[CommonSense]

Less violent crime is what's really important. Nobody should have to be a victim of crime just so others can avoid addiction, since being a victim of crime is not a choice but taking drugs and risking an addiction is.

[peterbuilt777]

I can only speak of the prescription Pain Med. problem. With all the new laws against prescribing them WE, the Legit Pain sufferers are finding it impossible to find a DR. that isn't afraid to prescribe them because they want to keep their license. In short, the DR's are being forced to forsake the OATH they take to treat their patients Pain by the New Gov. Laws, Mainly State Laws by denying relief from Pain. WE are being Under treated for Pain by the wish to obtain VOTES by our Politicians. This HAS to be addressed, i'm 53, Disabled, Broke back & Neck & now Severally Depressed & in Pain Everyday, it is a Shame to wake up each day & wish it away & wish there were no more tomorrows to have to deal with Pain when there is medication that would give me Some Quality of Life.