NCJ Number
129607
Journal
Capital University Law Review Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1989) Pages: 237-255
Date Published
1989
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This analysis of arguments for and against the legalization of drugs concludes that the legalization of drugs may result in short-term confusion, but it will eventually provide a remedy to the country's drug crisis.
Abstract
Opponents of drug legalization argue that it would produce anarchy, social immorality, and greatly increased drug addiction. However, the legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco kill far higher proportions of their users than do illegal drugs. In addition, the legalization of drugs can be supported both from a utilitarian perspective which notes that the criminalization of drugs harms society more than it benefits it and from an anti-utilitarian perspective which suggests that individuals can do anything they choose with their bodies as long as no harm results to third persons. A realistic approach to legalization would be to start with the decriminalization of marijuana, to continue with the legalization of marijuana, and, if marijuana legalization proved successful, to completely legalize all narcotics. However, drugs causing permanent addiction would be banned from sale and would only be offered at free clinics where addicts were registered. Addicts would also be helped in trying to overcome their illness. Footnotes