The main assumption that is made concerning the legalization of drugs is that taxes on drugs could raise large amounts of revenue. First, this assumption is simply untrue if compared to the tax revenues collected on alcohol, a legal drug. The total tax revenue from the sale of alcohol is $13.1 billion a year while alcohol extracts over $100 billion a year in social costs. (Magginnis, 2001) This assumption also does not take into consideration that legalization would perpetuate the criminal black market. Government regulations on drug sales would open the doors to cheaper, more potent drugs being offered to under-aged users who could not obtain the legal version. This criminal sale of drugs would continue the need to spend money funding additional law enforcement and judicial personnel.

The legalization of drugs would also

help bring in many new drug users. It has already been proven that drug use and abuse is reduced by drug prohibition. Demand is less when the drug is illegal. The use of heroin and cocaine, two popular illegal drugs, usually begins in social situations. The likelihood of an initial user obtaining the drug from a drug dealer is slim. In one study it was found that almost 90 percent of the initial use of cocaine took place at a party or other informal social event. About 70 percent of new users obtained it from friends or relatives. Only 5 percent of the new users obtained it from dealers. (Edgmand, Moomaw, Olson, 2001) Thus a vicious circle emerges; society's increased social interaction with drugs resulting in new users who may not have otherwise been exposed, who are also exposing new users. Once new users become addicted users, the social costs rise.

Legalization would only lead to a greater burden on the economy.

Other nations have learned that legalization only leads to more addicts and greater social consequences. While there are problems with the current "War on Drugs", the argument for legalization only sets the country back even further.

When taken in context, these obligations demonstrate the need for greater resources.

Another negative economic result of the legalization of drugs would directly affect the economically blighted areas with weak social structures. As globalization makes the problem of creating economic and social opportunity for the most disadvantaged all the harder, the availability of drugs at lower prices would exacerbate the current problems of the poorest neighborhoods. Beating

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