There are arguments for all sides of the issues regarding drugs. The term "drugs" refers to medicines as well as to mind altering drugs used for recreation. This discussion is focused primarily are drugs classified as "illegal". Why are these drugs determined to be illegal? and should they be?

These laws have been created with the plans of keeping people safe, both from the drugs themselves and from those affected by them. The laws are also to act as a parent type role in that the government should not be shown to support something that is bad for you. This is a good example of how the people are represented by the government. The majority of people believe the drugs should not be used and that is reflected in the laws passed by the government representing the people. This is a very hard point to go against, and maybe we shouldn't, but I don't believe that this reason alone is enough to justify the laws (We have parents to teach morality and ethics). Especially when we have such inconsistencies with cigarettes and alcohol being legal. It shows that peoples whims or fancies they want to apply to morality is not necessarily fair and the government needs to moderate that. The government is to provide everyone a chance to live happy lives (whether we are in the majority or minority) and protect us from our enemies.

I don't feel it is the government's place to tell us what we can and cannot do with ourselves - as long as we do not take that right away from anyone else, injure anyone else, damage their property, etc... Specific to this discussion - If I want to sit at home and get high (and for reference, I have never used recreational drugs other than alcohol) who has the right to say I can't? No one should - I am not affecting them! Only if I go out in public and endanger others am I in the wrong. This is a country of free people "with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". (sound familiar) If a person is happy sitting at home smoking a joint - NO ONE CAN TELL HIM/HER NO!

As with alcohol and cigarettes, drugs should be legal, but similarly regulated. No minors should be allowed to use or purchase. Warnings should be on packaging, laws against public intoxication and use with drugs, and luxury and health related taxes applied. This would be the fair and responsible treatment for recreational drugs, and it would offer numerous benefits.

Taxes would bring in more money for regulation. These can be applied to general funds or partially applied to health centers for emergency rooms, research or any number of care facilities. The money can also be used to fund programs to properly educate people on living healthy and the dangers involved with drugs.

The affect on crime would be enormous. Think back to the time of prohibition - crime was rampant dealing in illegal alcohol sales. By legalizing drug sales the entire network of drug dealers and kingpins would be out of business or equivalently turned into small time farmers. (nothing against farmers but they are not wealthy powerful killers running rampant) This I consider to be a good thing - too many people are killed trying to obtain drugs or the money to purchase drugs. I would find it interesting to see the stats on how many violent crimes are related to drug deals. Not to mention that Opium is a major export of Afghanistan and source of funds for terrorists. Legalizing it would cut off a substantial amount of their funding.

Next come enforcement. Police would need to enforce drug use similarly to drinking crimes and not have to spend years in undercover work trying to catch the big time dealers. (That is simplifying it somewhat I'm sure, but I feel the increase in some areas of work will be more than offset by decreases elsewhere) The argument arises about the high death rate due to drinking and driving. First of all, some of the driving under the influence crimes are already drug related. Next, by legalizing drugs, there will not be a mad rush to the store to get loaded. Most people who want to do drugs already do so. Plus with the additional tax money some can go to law enforcement.

In the end, drugs should be legalized and regulated. End this game of drugs being used as political tools for politicians to get elected. Instead, put the dealers out of business by letting legitimate companies produce a clean product without all the random junk mixed in to make more money, label the products and tax the products. Big business will put the dealers out faster than the police or DEA will.

The government needs to spend its time protecting our freedoms from both outside forces and inside. An effort needs to be made to give everyone their due freedoms not use laws to get elected because a majority wants it. The majority is not always right and it is the responsibility of the government to note the differences and honor the constitution of the United States by protecting the "little" people and minority groups.