Evaluating the Effects of Drugs Legalization

Student’s Name : Winston Indrawan

Student ID# : GAC0011
Teacher : Theresia Hayuning Wilujeng, S.Pd.
Due Date : 26 January 2024
Word Count : 1025 words

The debate over drug legalization is a contentious and complex issue, sparking discussions on its
potential pros and cons. At the core are the challenges tied to illegal drug use, including crime
and health risks. This essay explores the merits and drawbacks of drug legalization, focusing on
issues like increased crime and health hazards associated with illicit drug use. We'll also assess
the effectiveness of existing methods, such as imprisonment and education programs, in
addressing these concerns. Illegal drug use has broad societal effects, contributing to higher
crime rates and public health threats. We aim to unravel the layers surrounding drug legalization
and determine if it offers a viable solution to current problems. It's crucial to consider diverse
perspectives, including those advocating for drug legalization to alleviate existing issues. We'll
rely on authoritative sources like the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, 2024) and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Connor, 2023) to inform our analysis. These sources
provide essential insights into the prevalence of drug abuse, forming the foundation for a
nuanced understanding of the potential benefits and pitfalls linked with drug legalization. Given
the gravity of the issue and its significant societal implications, this essay contributes to the
ongoing discourse on drug legalization by providing a comprehensive examination of its
advantages and disadvantages. Through this exploration, we aim to furnish a scholarly basis for
informed discussions on a matter that profoundly impacts public policy, societal well-being, and
the delicate balance between individual freedoms and collective responsibility. The thesis
statement asserts that "Removing the boundaries for drug use causes more harm than
improvement for society," serving as a guiding principle throughout our exploration.

Adjusting drug laws to support legalization not only raises concerns about the immediate
well-being of newborns but also poses a clear and intricate threat to future societal productivity.
Studies, particularly those highlighted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information,
emphasize a concerning link between prenatal drug exposure and an escalated likelihood of
physical and mental disabilities in newborns (Vassoler, 2013). The ramifications of such
exposure reverberate beyond infancy, potentially hindering the future workforce's overall
productivity. In regions with more lenient drug policies, such as certain states in the United
States, a discernible increase in prenatal drug exposure has manifested in elevated instances of
neonatal abstinence syndrome (Byrnes, 2013). This surge in cases presents formidable challenges
to the health and developmental trajectories of newborns, casting long shadows over the
productivity potential of the future workforce. The intricate interplay between drug policy,
prenatal health, and the potential long-term societal impact necessitates a comprehensive
understanding when deliberating changes to current drug laws and their implications for the
well-being of both current and future generations.

On a positive note, drug legalization carries the potential to act as a formidable deterrent against
delinquency and associated violence. The notorious link between the illegal drug trade and
violent disputes over drug territories is a critical concern that legalization seeks to address, as
advocated by the Office of Justice Programs (Duke, 1998). Portugal's progressive approach to
drug decriminalization in 2001 serves as a compelling real-world example, demonstrating a
substantial reduction in drug-related violence. This noteworthy shift, achieved by transitioning
from criminalizing drug possession to treating addiction as a health issue, has effectively
transformed the dynamics of drug use and its associated violence. However, amid these potential
benefits, critics highlight a concern that drug legalization may inadvertently open a gateway to
more dangerous substances, with marijuana serving as a notable exemplar. Skeptics argue that
the normalization of marijuana use might pave the way for experimentation with harder drugs,
contributing to an overarching escalation in drug-related issues. This skepticism gains credence
in regions where marijuana has been legalized for recreational use, evidenced by a notable uptick
in emergency room visits linked to cannabis use. This observation suggests that the legalization
of a seemingly less harmful drug may indeed contribute to a broader pattern of escalating
substance-related problems, warranting careful consideration of the potential unintended
consequences associated with drug policy shifts.

Another consequential drawback of drug legalization lies in the potential surge of substance use,
particularly among vulnerable demographics like teenagers. The accessibility of legalized drugs
heightens the risk of elevated usage rates, a concern underscored by the National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA, 2024). According to NIDA, the availability of legalized drugs may
contribute to an upswing in usage, leading to unintended ramifications for public health and
societal well-being. This concern gains real-world traction as countries with lenient drug policies
observe a troubling escalation in substance experimentation among teenagers. Regions where
specific drugs have been decriminalized witness an amplified inclination among adolescents
toward substance use. This alarming trend fuels apprehensions about the enduring impact on
public health and the overall well-being of the younger generation. The intricate interplay
between drug accessibility, adolescent vulnerability, and the potential for long-term societal
repercussions necessitates a nuanced approach when contemplating the legalization of certain
substances.

In wrapping up the discussion on drug legalization, it's evident that the matter is complex,
offering both potential benefits and significant drawbacks. The evidence indicates that tweaking
drug laws to lean towards legalization could yield positives, like reducing delinquency and
associated violence, as seen in Portugal's approach to drug decriminalization. However, we must
not overlook the potential harm to current and future generations. The concerning impact on
newborns due to prenatal drug exposure highlights the possible threat to future workforce
productivity. Furthermore, apprehensions about drug legalization serving as a gateway to more
dangerous substances and contributing to increased usage, especially among vulnerable groups
like teenagers, demand careful consideration. While the aim behind drug legalization is to
address societal issues, the evidence indicates a precarious balance with inherent risks. Hence,
even though there may be some positive impacts on society from drug legalization, it's vital to
recognize and alleviate the potential harm it poses. A thorough and cautious approach is
essential, one that carefully evaluates the benefits against the risks to ensure the well-being of
both current and future generations. Ultimately, the decision to adjust boundaries for drug use
calls for thoughtful consideration of the broader societal implications, striving for a balance that
promotes positive outcomes while minimizing adverse effects.

References
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2024, January 9). National Institutes of Health (NIH).

https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-drug-abuse-nid

Substance use - Health, United States. (n.d.).

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/sources-definitions/substance-use.htm#print

Vassoler, F. M., Byrnes, E. M., & Pierce, R. C. (2014). The impact of exposure to addictive drugs

on future generations: Physiological and behavioral effects. Neuropharmacology, 76, 269–275.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.06.016

Cozic, Charles P. (Ed.). "Legalizing Drugs Would Reduce Crime" (From Illegal Drugs, P

115-117, 1998). Office of Justice Programs. National Criminal Justice Reference Service.

NCJ-169238. (n.d.).

https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/legalizing-drugs-would-reduce-crime-i

llegal-drugs-p-115-117-1998