The Problem with Narcotics

The Problem of Narcotics

a philosophical thesis by Matthew Bissonnette

Since early on in human history, it was recognized by many cultures that certain plants possessed some moderate curative properties. Later on it was discovered through certain processes could greatly increase the effectiveness such as poppies being processed into opium. Primarily it was created for the easing pain from injury or illness, but a side effect was a sensation of contentment and well being which was short lived. In the late nineteenth century products such as heroin and cocain could be legally bought at any pharmacy in many countries. What followed where many untold tragedies of people who did their lives severe damage on illicit substances, and the opium became the scourge of entire nations such as the China. Then drugs where made illegal and prohibited which was the beginning of the war on drugs in many countries, yet it seems that currently it can be argued that it has had any effect on the availability of drugs since it is present in almost all cities and small communities. Prohibition has made the price of some drugs extremely high and it has funneled countless billions into the pockets of unethical criminal cartels which go about there business with tactics like murder. The temptation of easy money made in the narcotics trade leads many young individuals into a lifestyle around criminal fraternity and will probably end in incarceration or violence. The war on drugs has failed to make a significant impact on availability and has only bloated the size of the criminal justice system. I think decriminalization partially is a viable solution.

First anyone, even those who use drugs chronologically, will submit the fact that it will have severe ramifications for both your physical health as well as your mental well being further down the road which could lead to a terminal illness. Limiting the number of people addicted to drugs is a benevolent goal which is why youths in schools should have such information presented to them in a adult fashion which is easy to understand and factual. The goal would be to drive the street prices down, though there are some narcotics which should remain prohibited such as ones where there is a high risk of overdose or other troubling effects. But because drugs offer an artificial and false sensation of joy, there will always be individuals who will be drawn towards it for a multitude of reasons.

Some have called for legalization where narcotics could be sold legally and since it exists in the realms of life which are taboo, and elevated tax could be placed upon it. But it would result in profit from an human activity which is self destructive. I think destroying its value in the black market is more acceptable as well as education at an formative age.

It can't be won because where there is unhappiness in people's lives, there will always be a desire thus market for masking such hardships with altering the chemistry of your mind.