While the ongoing debate of whether to make drugs legal or not has been ever so common, the conversation has been pulled in both directions. The decision has never actually occurred because this issue involves so many positives yet so many negatives. In 2001, Portugal was the first city to decriminalize drugs. In order to legalize drugs, our country would undergo a serious time period of needles and addicts everywhere, as did Portugal.
In New York City, Harlem United provides free needles in order to prevent diseases and deaths. Their support invites all people to get help whether it be providing a sex kit, HIV support group, or just a free needle. This has been beneficial in helping addicts without them sharing needles.
One of the main factors as to why many argue that drugs should be legal is to free up jail space. Addicts would most likely find more help at a rehabilitation center than a jail cell. If the government regulated these drugs, then addicts would be given a drug that did not contain such dangerous chemicals. In turn, the profits would be a huge revenue to the government. A common issue is that adults should be able to do what they please, however that involves the drug conversation. As adults become exposed to certain drugs, they often develop an addiction. Their addiction would not only harm themselves, but everyone and everything in their lives.
If drugs were to be legal, then others would be more persuaded to try a drug since there would be no legal prosecution. The treatment centers would be torn apart, both with the impact and legalization of drugs and addicts. This would push individuals to experiment without the repercussions.
According to The Washington Post, nicotine, a legal drug, has killed more people than illegal drugs and alcohol combined. The government has provided many reason as to why one should not smoke, yet 20% of Americans become addicted to it each year. This part of the debate is how easy an individual could access any drug, making it possible to do drugs without breaking the law.
Portugal was the first country to decriminalize all drugs. After all, their crime rates have declined rapidly. Since then, barely anyone dies from an overdose. Portugal has been named one of the top cities to visit in Europe because it is very safe. The amounts of substance abuse and addiction rates have been cut in half since 2001.
In order to keep Americans safe, the legalization of drugs should not even be a question. Once out of jail, an addict would have easy access to drugs since they would be legal. The crime rates in the United States are already high which would increase once legalized. Although Portugal seems to be doing well, their crime rate and drug use shot up the first year of legalization. This period would not do well in our country as there is already an epidemic in various parts of the United States, narrowing down to several areas in California. The decision has not been made for a reason, meaning the cons outweigh the pros, which proves why legalizing drugs would not be beneficial in our country.
