by Zach F

Created on: July 09, 2010   Last Updated: October 02, 2011

People have a right to make decisions regarding their own health and bodies, and what they choose do with their bodies, including deciding whether or not to use drugs.
While drugs can affect people other than the user, those effects should be what is punished, not the actual choice to use drugs.
Many of the societal problems associated with drugs are actually a product of, or multiplied by, rather than solved by, the prohibition of certain substances in the United States and many other countries.

While any chemical put into the body is dangerous, and can lead to behaviors that are dangerous to those around the user, this also applies to many legal substances, like alcohol, tobacco, and even prescription medications.
Especially with the internet making information immediately accessible, however, potential users can easily search the effects of a substance, and it is easy for users to understand the risks, side effects, and complications of their uses.  It is also possible for responsible users to take precautions (such as not driving, or taking a lower than typical dosage until accustomed to the drug’s effects) based on this information.
On the other hand, drugs which are available on the underground market are difficult to trace, and therefore it is impossible to know exactly what is in the final product being used by a consumer.  A responsible drug user may have thoroughly researched the effects and risks of, for instance, ecstasy (MDMA).  They may take a low dosage of what they think is ecstasy, stay away from driving and other dangerous conditions.  At the end of the day, however, many ecstasy pills contain more amphetamine or PCP than actual MDMA.  The effects, risk, and safe dosages of these drugs are different from MDMA, and the user may be totally unprepared for the effects it has on them, including the behavior it causes which could put others in harm's way.
Also, many scientists and doctors avoid researching or publishing on the health, behavioral, and social effects of illegal drugs precisely because they are illegal, and many users are hesitant to post information gathered from their experiences with these drugs for fear of social or legal consequences.  This is invaluable information, which could make drug use safer for both the user and those around them.  Prohibiting the use of these substances actually makes it harder to learn about them, and therefor makes them more dangerous.
Many youth actually start to use

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