TED Conversations

Davie Webb

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Should Drugs be Legalised?

In the Independent, the UK's politically neutral and arguably most informative daily newspaper, there has been some interesting articles and debates regarding calls to legalise some or all drugs as the so called 'War on drugs' has undoubtedly failed.

So says a panel of world leaders who called yesterday for the biggest shake-up of drug laws in half a century. "The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world," declared the Global Commission on Drug Policy. "Fundamental reforms... are urgently needed."

The Commission, which counts the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan along with former presidents of Brazil, Mexico and Colombia as members, believes governments must now experiment with "legal regulation of drugs."

Ecstasy, which is currently considered a class-A substance, ought to be reclassified in line with medical opinion that it is far less dangerous than legal drugs such as nicotine and alcohol, the report suggests. Users of narcotics should be offered education and treatment, rather than being incarcerated, it advises. And countries which insist on continuing a "law enforcement" approach to drug crime should focus resources on taking down high-level traffickers, rather than arresting everyday drug mules and street dealers

My initial response was an astounding no. However if we was to view it from a more critical view, such as the the success of stopping drug use and the millions of pounds spent on the 'war on drugs'.. I do feel there needs to be some changes.

- Should all drugs be legalised?
- Should some drugs be legalised? if so - which ones and why?
- what would be the affects of a shift in the laws?

Here is the main article on the subject. Let me know what you think.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/calls-to-legalise-cannabis-and-ecstasy-2292485.html

Topics: International Law drug laws drug policy drugs morality morals policy
+2
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • Jean-Baptiste de Montety

    • +4
    Jun 3 2011: YEP they should, and not only in obvious case like marijuana, they all should. I never could understand why drugs are not legal. Of course they can be dangerous but cars are dangerous as well killing thousands of people every years. You'll retort that we need cars to go from A to B while drugs as no practical use. To that I would say yes, but they are an amazing experience into your conscience. I believe that if you are not addicted, they can make you a better person.

    Furthermore, making something illegal doesn't make it desapear, as it's well explained above.
    • thumb

      Matt Hintzke

      • 0
      Jun 3 2011: Explained my thoughts on the matter perfectly

    • Zdenek Smith 100+

      • 0
      HostAssociate
      Jun 4 2011: I agree that we need to change approach and perhaps legalize something. However we need to have good understanding of the effects of drugs on its users.

      If drug is damaging people's brain and personality then not only the user but the whole society will bear the consequences.

      Another concern I have is exposure of these substances to children.

      Have a look at "side" effects of most drugs:
      http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.