by Krullix

Created on: October 03, 2008

The legalization of drugs is the only possible way forward. Every argument for prohibition is based on myths, lies and misinformation, usually peddled by the media and government, and has no grounding in logic, fact or common sense. People will always take drugs, and no amount of police spending or enforcement will ever change this irredeemable fact. Moreover, the amount of drug use is on the increase, especially among young people. Policing and education policies have clearly failed and the sooner we accept this, the better.

To describe a drug as a chemical taken into the body which affects the way the body operates means that there is a great hypocrisy in criminalizing certain drugs yet allowing alcohol and tobacco to remain legal. Those who argue that these two drugs are legal because they are less damaging are incredibly nave and simply wrong. The annual fatalities caused by illegal drug taking don't even come close to the huge amount of deaths caused by drink and cigarettes. So, to argue that drug laws are imposed by the "nanny state" to protect its citizens is inaccurate. To look at why drugs are illegal one has to look at why people take drugs. As illegal drug use is most prevalent among the more impoverished members of society, it is obvious that the main motivation is escapism from the wretchedness of their lives. Modern society is far from being an advanced, civilized Utopia. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. There are longer working hours with less job security, a higher retirement age with diminishing pension funds, both parents being forced to work to maintain even a fundamental standard of living, as well as spiraling debt. With these modern societal pressures, it is easy to understand why the more disenfranchised citizens long for escape. These issues are rarely discussed in any debate about drugs, with the media and government preferring to put the cart before the horse. Society is ill so people take drugs, not the other way round. The last thing the authorities want is a population taking mind-altering drugs which could wake them from them slumbering despondency and make them realise that the capitalist society in which they find themselves is unrewarding and oppressive. The government wants obedient workers and enthusiastic consumers, hence drugs which could disrupt the status quo are banned. But by all means, take as many drugs as you like that guarantee lung cancer, or a drunken punch-up at the weekend.

For too long

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