Legalization of Drugs
The legalization of drugs, especially with respect to the crime rate has become a major concerning issue in recent years. Dr. Michael Babula, a 2008 hopeful in Maryland’s fourth congressional district (www.babula2008.com), has a very lucid stand on the matter and that is legalization is by all means necessary to reduce nationwide crime.
Dr. Babula’s argument is an easily agreeable one, and that is the United States needs to come to terms with the fact that the war on drugs has been lost. Additionally, the legalization of drugs would therefore lead to a decrease in crime and murder rates due to the increased availability and significantly decreased prices of the drugs. Dr. Babula’s opponents, Donna Edwards and Albert Wynn remain undisclosed about the issue of legalizing drugs according to their campaign websites.
The end of the prohibition on drugs and their entrance into the free market will negate the economic incentive for illegal cartels. An interesting supporting case of this argument is that of Gustavo de Greiff’s, the man responsible for gutting the Medellin cartel and hunting down the richest cocaine trafficker. He believes nothing has happened in the big picture in regards to the shutting down of the Medellin cartel and the execution of Pablo Escobar. His analysis is that of the following; the price and quantity of drugs in major cities such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles did not change at all leading Greiff to believe that the only alternative is legalization. The most significant aspect of his argument is that he does not see this as an “invitation to consume more drugs or create a thriving market for them. Instead, Mr. de Greiff envisions the legal regulation, production and trade of drugs (thereby eliminating the trafficker), combined with education campaigns on the hazards of drugs and on effective treatment programs” (The Globe and Mail, A8). Mr. de Greiff’s visa into the United States was subsequently revoked on the basis that he associated with drug dealers, rumors that were in turn acknowledged to have spouted from de Greiff’s enemies. It is difficult to believe that the revoking of de Greiff’s visa also was not very convenient for the US government to refuse to acknowledge the possibility that this may be the right path to follow in order to solve the problem.
A similar argument comes from a former New Jersey undercover narcotics officer by the name of Jack Cole. "At the moment we have no control over drugs, whereas if they are legalized, we would have 75 percent or 80 percent control. It would also allow us to take a lot of money that is spent enforcing the law and put it into education and rehabilitation" (The Herald (Glasgow) 17).
In conclusion, it seems quite evident that if something is prohibited, there is no way to control or regulate how it is produced, which in turn leads to the question of how can the war on drugs be won without legalization?
Works Cited
Mason, Gary. "Legalizing Drugs: the Grand,Scary Scope." The Globe and Mail (2006): a8-a8. LexisNexis Academic. Loyola College, Baltimore. 21 Jan. 2008. Keyword: 'legalization of drugs'.
Cunningham, Jennifer. "Q: How Do We Win the War on Drugs? a: by Making Them Legal." The Herald (Glasgow) (2006): 17. LexisNexis Academic. Loyola College, Baltimore. 21 Jan. 2008. Keyword: 'legalization of drugs'.
Michael Babula Congressio. "Dr. Michael Babula for Congress 2008." Michael Babula for Congress Maryland 4th District. 21 Jan. 2008 .
10 comments:
Hi Kristy!
I guess I agree partially with the fact that making drugs legal will reduce violence. I do not agree with the fact that crack heads will go seek treatment for their problem. They will go crazy for the drugs even more and be able to get them whenver they want. They arent going to have an epiphany because the drugs are now legal. I think making drugs legal can cause more chaos than there already is. Crackheads will love the legalization not get help. PEACEE
I think due to supply and demand the market will profit from the legalization of drugs and can use that money to better the treatment used to help drug addicts. Also, that a heavy taxation on drugs will lead to less people using the drugs. I think with the proper restrictions to the use of the drugs the process will become so complicated that people won't bother
Well Kristy I'm glad you asked. Even though legalizing drugs will reduce violence in return there will be an increase in death rates due to overdosing as well as an increase in the spread of AIDS. It is important for the government to weigh the effects of these consequences and determine which is more detrimental to society: a world wide epidemic(AIDS) or a war on drugs(an issue that Rudy Guiliani has seemed to help calm over the years). In the end I believe our country will only be hurt by the legalization of such harmful substances.
Seems like a great position, but finding people to support this may be hard. All parents or families of drug addicts will see is the short term availability of the drugs and immediately be against it. I am for it though, as it seems completely logical.
check out my babula post:
joshduva.blogspot.com
Hey Krispy! I think I'd have to say that there's a fine line between allowing drugs to be legal or not. I do agree that it will give the government more control in the situation but I also think that allowing drugs to be legal will only result in more violence and deaths because people will be using them a lot more. I really think the legalization of drugs will only hurt our country even more.
This is a great debate. Why not give the drug user free choice? The drug user knows what they are doing is wrong. But the "war on drugs" has produced a series of innocent victims. The kid shot in a drive by in Washington DC is the innocent victim of the war on drugs. The sad part of the matter is that a lot more innocent people in Latin America and the U.S. are dying from our "war on drugs" than drug users. Our country is about free choice. Lets give the users free choice. What right does our government have in telling people what substances they can use? Should we ban fast food next because it is dangerous. Come on! Since marijuana was decriminalized in England, usage of marijuana and crime surrounding marijuana sales have significantly declined. Its time to admit our nation has been duped and brainwashed into yet another failed war...
Kristy, you have a very strong argument. I think that legalizing drugs will, in the long run, work out for the best for the economy. The government would be able to move the focus from imprisoning addicts to health care and curing these addicts for a safer community. If drugs become legal, health care for abusers will become more apparent and attainable.
Dr. Babula has certainly pinpointed the economic benefits of legalizing drugs, but i feel like gangs will travel to the 4th district to purchase drugs and then resell them in other cities. Legalizing drugs is an extremely controversial issue that has its ups and downs
I totally agree with Dr. Babula's view on the legalization of drugs to lower crime rates. Clearly Dr.Babula's economic insights will increase his success if elected in Maryland's 4th congressional district.
Babula's plan to end the prohibition on drugs is genius. Only then will the crime rates begin to decrease, and Maryland's Fourth District will be a safer place. Vote Babula!
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