Legalization of Drugs Rough draft
While the legalization of drugs has been a strong topic for debate, there are people that feel that
America’s War on drugs has been ineffective. Year to date, the government has spent well over
$18,000,000,000 and spending continues at a rate of $700 per second. This number is staggering when
you take into effect that out of 670, 959 arrests made this year , that only 3,841 of these offenders are
in prison (drugsense.org). With the sheer cost of the war on drugs rising, American’s feel that the
government should take a different approach by legalizing and regulating drugs, instead of being
hypocritical towards drugs that are currently being used to treat people that are ill, and be more
consistent in protecting the health of our society.
Although, we don’t see drug advocates trying to put a stop to alcohol and cigarettes, there needs to
be some consistency when talking about health issues created by the use of drugs. There are
treatment centers, police departments, and courts that are opposed to the war on drugs and feel the
treatment of drug abusers should be an alternative to punishment. Bertram & Sharpe (1997). In fact, a
retired police officer, Eldridge states , “that to turn the problem of the unquenchable thirst for illicit
substances into a vehicle of societal uplift, he proposes legalization and distribution of drugs by the
states and wants the states to control the distribution and profits.Tribby (1998). Police forces are using a
great deal of manpower to combat drugs. A lot of police officers are afraid that its too dangerous and
the courts don’t want to deal with the petty criminals
and overcrowding in the courtroom, which is a strong argument for making a case. With this
legalization, it would allow the profits from the regulated sale of drugs to be used for treatment and
education rather than a war that continues to drain billions of...