FREE ESSAY ON DRUG LEGALIZATION

DRUG LEGALIZATION

Essay Questions
April 28, 2001
Drug Legalization
The debate over drug legalization has existed for decades. It is a hot topic for
discussion among young and old alike. While many different opinions have been argued
over, 
most of America can agree on one thing--we have a serious drug problem in the United
States.
Solutions to this problem have been tossed about; we should create harsher laws for drug
users,
we should legalize the less dangerous drugs in society, we should legalize all drugs and
set standards
and regulations regarding their use and distribution. 
The war on drugs was popularized during the Reagan administration and has been 
a political mantra for conservative politicians. The three-strikes law was established as
a deterrent
for repeat offenders, but has been criticized for it's lack of effectiveness. Instead of
decreasing drug-
related crime, the prisons have been filled beyond capacity with these so-called
dangerous drug offenders.
An obvious racial bias manipulated into the laws has created a steady flow of prosecution
against minority
users and distributors. Distinctions between such drugs as cocaine and crack (which are
basically
the same) has shielded many white offenders from prison time, while guaranteeing a
lengthy stay for
blacks and hispanics.
Frustration with the lack of success of this expensive war has caused some to consider
legalization of drugs as a better alternative. The degree to which this should occur
varies among the population.
Some feel that marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol and tobacco and should be
regulated and taxed
as a legal substance. Others feel that all drugs should be legalized, therefore
eliminating the need for street
distribution and unsafe practices, like needle sharing. 
I personally feel that drugs are an extremely harmful influence on society, especially
our youth.
I also feel, however, that the rush to punish drug users and dealers has caused an
irrational response from
legislation. Mandatory sentences, regardless of mitigating circumstances or previous
history, has created a 
unequal and racially biased atmosphere for sending drug offenders to prison for
unreasonable lengths of
time. While I don't think that legalization of drugs will solve this problem, I do think
that a complete overhaul
of drug laws is in order. Common sense and basic fairness could eliminate much of the
unnecessary over-
crowding in the prison system today. The focus should be on rehabilitation not
retribution.