Legalization of Narcotics
Narcotics, or drugs, are substances that affect the body's functions. They can stimulate the mind, make people depressed, or make them hyper. Marijuana, heroin, LSD, PCP, cocaine, and anabolic steroids are all considered narcotics. Narcotics are illegal in the U.S. Even though drugs are illegal, about 12 million people use them anyway. Many strict laws have been passed against drugs but they seem to have little affect. People still decide to sell or use drugs for recreational purpose. This is why narcotics should be legalized. Before 1914, it was legal to make, sell, or use any type of drugs. Many of the drugs were used for medicinal use. This was before people found out how addictive and harmful drugs were. The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 required medicine labels to show whether over the counter drugs contained narcotics. After the act was passed, many Americans did not buy medicine that contained narcotics. The Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914 made narcotics illegal except for medicinal purpose. On 1919 the Supreme Court changed the Harrison Narcotics Act. They made it illegal for doctors to prescribe narcotic drugs to addicts. The Controlled Substance Act was created in 1970.
In 1973 the Drug Enforcement Administration was formed. The DEA is in charge of stopping drug trafficking and those who violate drug laws. There are DEA offices in every state and in fifty foreign countries. Billions in tax money could be saved or spent on a better cause. In 1986, $6.2 billion was spent just to stop drug traffic. By trying to arrest users and smugglers, the tax money adds up to about $10 billion (http://www.tty.drugsense.org/12reason.htm). Taxpayers would also save on building more prisons to incarcerate user. The extra money can be used on better police protection or just into savings. Organized crime would be put out of business. During prohibition, organized crime made billions on bootlegging. The same goes for drugs. Most of the money that is made is by selling drugs. This can save many lives. The CSA turned fifty-five drug laws into one big one. This act sets the minimum penalties for the use or distribution of narcotics. State and local governments can make the drug laws stricter, but have to follow the minimal guidelines set by the CSA. The CSA divides narcotics into five categories called schedules. Schedule I drugs are only allowed for controlled experimentation. They have the highest potential for abuse. These drugs are: heroin, LSD, marijuana, and Ecstasy. Schedule II drugs are also restricted, but can be prescribed by doctors under special circumstances. These drugs are cocaine and PCP. Schedule III drugs have medical use, but can be abused. These are mostly painkillers and barbiturates such as codeine and morphine. Schedules IV and V are prescription drugs with low potential for abuse. Tranquilizers like Valium and Librium are Schedule IV or V. Also included are sleep aides and weak stimulants. The court system would be unclogged. Thousands of drug cases would be eliminated speeding up the trail process for "real crimes". It would help judges and lawyers to handle other cases more thoroughly. There would be more time to handle each individual case. Legalization of narcotics is an idea that many people support. Some form of legalization is the best solution t
Some common words found in the essay are:
War Drugs, LSD PCP, Abuse Act, Substance Act, CSA CSA, Drug Act, Narcotics Act, Enforcement Administration, Narcotics Narcotics, Schedule II, drug users, drug laws, legalization narcotics, police officers, prison overcrowding, narcotics act, harrison narcotics act, little affect, tax money, alcohol tobacco, drugs illegal,
Approximate Word count = 1448
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
