Spring Break
Criminalization best deterrent against drugs
Megan Lynch
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Commentary
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy is a group dedicated to changing the way our legal system deals with drug users. However, it is hard to see how there could be any sensible way of dealing with drug users other than punishing them as criminals. Drug users cannot live as responsible citizens due to their addiction and the danger attached to it.
The SSDP's value statement says, "because the War on Drugs has historically been justified as necessary to protect youth, it is our responsibility as young people to stop this harmful war from being waged in our names any longer. As scholars, we seek solutions to society's drug problems through focused research, honest dialogue and informed debate rather than unquestioned extremism, punishment, and propaganda."
The current president of UConn's chapter, Don Halas, believes that if the government regulated drug use and distribution, the environment for the drug user would be safer than buying drugs off the street. In addition, the government could also see how much any particular person uses. Halas said their "goal is to make drug addictions into more of a health issue than a criminal issue."
SSDP's argument for government drug regulation is often compared to the use of alcohol and all the laws controlling its distribution and consumption. While alcohol is well known as a drug, there are many socially accepted instances where drinking occurs, such as in a restaurant with your dinner. It can, of course, be abused and cause danger for the person drinking and others in the vicinity, but there are many people of legal age who do not drink in excess, and instead only for enjoyment. However, while alcohol is regulated by the government, the laws are broken many times a day. People still drive while intoxicated, sell liquor to minors and no one can regulate how much a person drinks per day.
There are enough drugs controlled by doctors and the government that are already abused. Many painkillers can easily be obtained by prescription and used for enjoyment rather than to dull pain. Pharmacists can determine how many prescriptions are acceptable for a person at a time, but they will never know how many drugs the patient took per day, or if they were going to sell the pills to someone else. In addition, many drugs prescribed to curb the cravings of drug addicts can cause more harm than good. Methadone is a narcotic that can be used to reduce the withdrawal symptoms in people previously addicted to heroin or other narcotics. One of the warnings says not to use while driving or performing any activity where one is required to be awake or alert. It can also be habit-forming and become an addiction in itself.
The SSDP's value statement says, "because the War on Drugs has historically been justified as necessary to protect youth, it is our responsibility as young people to stop this harmful war from being waged in our names any longer. As scholars, we seek solutions to society's drug problems through focused research, honest dialogue and informed debate rather than unquestioned extremism, punishment, and propaganda."
The current president of UConn's chapter, Don Halas, believes that if the government regulated drug use and distribution, the environment for the drug user would be safer than buying drugs off the street. In addition, the government could also see how much any particular person uses. Halas said their "goal is to make drug addictions into more of a health issue than a criminal issue."
SSDP's argument for government drug regulation is often compared to the use of alcohol and all the laws controlling its distribution and consumption. While alcohol is well known as a drug, there are many socially accepted instances where drinking occurs, such as in a restaurant with your dinner. It can, of course, be abused and cause danger for the person drinking and others in the vicinity, but there are many people of legal age who do not drink in excess, and instead only for enjoyment. However, while alcohol is regulated by the government, the laws are broken many times a day. People still drive while intoxicated, sell liquor to minors and no one can regulate how much a person drinks per day.
There are enough drugs controlled by doctors and the government that are already abused. Many painkillers can easily be obtained by prescription and used for enjoyment rather than to dull pain. Pharmacists can determine how many prescriptions are acceptable for a person at a time, but they will never know how many drugs the patient took per day, or if they were going to sell the pills to someone else. In addition, many drugs prescribed to curb the cravings of drug addicts can cause more harm than good. Methadone is a narcotic that can be used to reduce the withdrawal symptoms in people previously addicted to heroin or other narcotics. One of the warnings says not to use while driving or performing any activity where one is required to be awake or alert. It can also be habit-forming and become an addiction in itself.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Alex
posted 10/02/08 @ 12:32 PM EST
If someone has decided to do heroin don't you think that they will do the drug whether it is legal or not? And how easy is it right now to get basically any drug that you can think of. (Continued…)
Kirk Muse
posted 10/02/08 @ 1:17 PM EST
Caffeine is a mind altering, addictive and potentially
lethal drug (65 cups of coffee in a single day the
consumer has a 50 percent chance of dying as a result). (Continued…)
roger watts
posted 10/02/08 @ 5:45 PM EST
"However, it is hard to see how there could be any sensible way of dealing with drug users other than punishing them as criminals."
how about dealing with drug abuse as the health issue it is? Next time you are injured or ill, you should go to a cop or judge for their "medical" advice. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 10/02/08 @ 8:32 PM EST
Megan,
If you were walking alone at night, and a group of strange young men approached you, would you feel safer knowing they had just come from:
a. (Continued…)
db
posted 10/02/08 @ 11:46 PM EST
if the government allows the freedom to publish articles like this, i see no justification for restricting the freedom to experiment with one's own body
JSF
posted 10/03/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
It's refreshing to know that not everyone thinks about what they say before they say it. It helps the rest of us look smarter.
Thanks for sounding ridiculous. (Continued…)
Matt W.
posted 10/13/08 @ 9:34 PM EST
Megan:
How naive can you possibly be? I strongly suggest conducting a bit more research before being so willing to publicly express your misguided views. (Continued…)
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