Insights

Legalization of prohibited drugs spells danger

Let me approach this issue in a logical way. I understand that the government’s battle against illegal drugs has caused countless damage – on life, property and resources. Even among the traffickers, competition for this very profitable industry has spawned some appalling trade related carnage.

Looking at Mexico’s present conundrum, I’m disturbed by the effrontery of drug cartels. Their power and influence have corrupted the bureaucracy, virtually making them invulnerable. Meanwhile, the Mexican president is doing his best despite growing concern regarding the future stability of his country.

Finding solution for this never-ending battle against illegal drugs, a proposal has been made by some well-meaning individuals to lift prohibitions against certain drugs, advocating the following benefits as tempting:

• annihilation of present drug trade atrocities
• additional source of tax revenue
• delineation of policies regarding it’s “appropriate” use

Despite this erudite analysis, I see the spawning of a greater threat. Of course I’m not blind to the everyday casualties of drug trade. Many innocent lives have been wasted; and despite vigilance on the part of law enforcement, underground trading has always been adamant.

My concern regarding legalization is the dangerous effect of easy access. Walking along the neighborhood you suddenly realized that instead of worrying alone of being hit by a drunk driver, you’ll have additional worries regarding the lucidity of the next person you meet on the streets. I’ve grown on a neighborhood swarmed with drug dependents and I can attest to the incendiaries they may exhibit, especially the tendency to inflict damage.

Advocates for legalization argue that a person’s tendency for addiction is misunderstood. With the enlightenment of science it has been proved that not all would-be users will have the tendency to get addicted: addiction is in fact a matter of personality. Same is applicable to all forms of addiction— including drugs. The tendency is inherent in the person’s psychological setup.

But the above qualification is narrow considering the many facets that can lead to addiction.

The way I see it, addictive personality is the weakest determinant for dependency, they comprise only a small percent of the population. External forces are the greatest contributing factor that lures many, especially youngsters, to drug dependency. This is the greatest threat of legalization. Easy access will provide an opportunity for a troubled soul to seek comfort in its farce heaven. Suppose a teenager in a problematic state suddenly gain access to drugs, and discovered solace therein. Chances are he’ll be addicted to the substance. Who could blame him? It gives him liberation—albeit temporary—from his sordid condition. And when he’s loaded who knows what he’ll do next. With a distorted mind he’ll probably unleash his suppressed feelings, inflicting damage on someone in the process.

Like alcohol, the effects of drugs vary from person to person. Ironically, even in our most lucid, we are capable of making regrettable mistakes; how much more if our reason is totally befuddled?

Aside from psychological impairment, prolonged use—which is highly inevitable– will accrue damage to the brain. This great hazard will hit a large percentage of our youths— considering their ignorance and vulnerability, they are an easy prey. The blight future of our youth seems a scary reality.

Alcohol alone, since its legalization, has caused miseries to countless number of people. Many innocent lives fall prey to the irresponsible handlings made by people who have no regards for the life of others. Reintroduction of prohibited drugs in a manner easily accessible will compound this misfortune.

The problem of drugs is truly enigmatic. Even with our current efforts there has been no viable solution that promises to eradicate this formidable phantom that threatens our future generation. Whether for prohibition or legalization, let us hope that one day something will work out.