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Davie Webb

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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
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    Elsa Viegas

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    Jun 15 2011: There's exactly 8 years that we changed the law in Portugal so that consumption of drugs wouldn't bet a crime. Nevertheless Portugal was able to reduce the consumption and the number of people living in the streets without any treatment was reduced drastically.

    I would not agree with the legalization of drugs, but I see that in my home country has found a good solution, by approaching the drug addict as a person that needs treatment and not a criminal.
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      anthony bruni 30+

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      Jun 15 2011: Elsa Out of curiosity what was the catalyst for the change in policy in Portugal. Here in the states such is measure would be off the negotiation table politically despite, I suspect, a healthy portion of our population support.
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        Tim blackburn 30+

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        Jun 15 2011: well they basicaly had entire bulidings falling apart filled with people just shootin up, picking needles off the ground, people lying in corners dead, it was a serious public health problem, from what i have read.
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          anthony bruni 30+

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          Jun 16 2011: Yes, you could say that about thee States as well, but we do a good job of keeping addicts lock up and out out the public eye.

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