Decriminalization of Drugs

By Aquinnah Flores

Drugs are one of the most controversial topics out there, it seems as though they’re either

good or bad. Canada has recently legalized cannabis while the USA commemorates other countries for killing ‘drug traffickers’. While legalizing a drug in an entire country is a bit much, drug decriminalization drastically reduces the number of people caught in the maze that is our criminal justice system. It also, “as the UN/WHO statement highlights, ‘vastly improves health, it decreases the stigma against people who use drugs and addresses the discrimination the historically face’”(Zeeshan Aleem, 2015). Drugs should be decriminalized worldwide because it will decrease the crime rate, it can be restricted/controlled and increase participation in rehab programs.

Drug decriminalization has already been done successfully. “Internationally, several

countries already have some form of drug decriminalization. Portugal, most notably, decriminalized drugs back in 2001 as a response to the country’s HIV crisis and has demonstrated the vast benefits of decriminalization-- substantial reductions in overdose, HIV/AIDS and addiction, all without any increase in drug use or crime”, (Chris Ingram, 2015). You may be thinking, ‘how would this work?’ or that the decriminalization of drugs would be some drug-free for all since Portugal “decriminalized the use of all drugs, weed, cocaine, heroin, you name it” (Chris Ingram, 2015). Decriminalization is not the same as legalization. The distribution and sale of controlled substances is still a crime in Portugal. Possession and use of drugs is handled as a public health issue and not criminal activity. This would be an ideal alternative to all the violence and hatred spread through the drug trade. Decriminalizing drugs worldwide is the only way to solve our drug problem the right way, helping people in need of care instead of naming them criminals for a sickness they cannot control. “An approach that distinguishes between the drug trafficker who is viewed as a criminal, and the drug user who is seen more like a sick person who is in

need of treatment”, (EMCDDA, 2008).

Drug decriminalization would lead to a much safer and healthy world. “Drug

decriminalization calls for reduced control and penalties compared to existing laws. Proponents of drug decriminalization generally support the use of fines or other punishments to replace prison terms and often propose systems whereby illegal drug users who are caught would be fined, but would not receive a permanent criminal record as a result. A central feature of drug decriminalization is the concept of harm reduction”, (Wikipedia, 2018). For example, Portugal decriminalized the use of all drugs back in 2001. Drugs are still illegal there, the police just handle the situation differently. The user would be referred to a treatment program, rather than rotting away in prison and not getting any substantial help. We, as a collective species, need to first acknowledge our worldwide drug problem, then go about solving it. The only way to do that is decriminalizing drugs worldwide.

Decriminalizing drugs would lead to more people seeking help, in turn providing more

people with rehabilitation programs. This would lead to a massive uptake in treatment worldwide. With these sick people in rehab, overdose rates would go down exponentially. “Drug overdoses killed more than 72,000 people in the United States last year – a new record driven by the deadly opioid epidemic, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control” (The Guardian, 2018). With the overdose rate in the US increasing, we need to act fast. Numerous loved ones and beloved singers/actors have fallen victim to the deadly pitfall of drugs. “Portugal has 3 overdose deaths per million citizens” (EMCDDA, 2015). A startling comparison to the USA quickly reveals the answer, not only does drug decriminalization save lives, but it also creates a safer place to live in. Portugal has also seen a significantly “increased uptake in treatment, roughly 60% as of 2012” (Chris Ingram, 2015). The country realizing that individuals with substance abuse problems are much more likely

to find recovery in rehab than in jail, as should the world as a whole.

In conclusion, decriminalizing the use of all drugs would create an ideal world. Coming to

terms with the problem, then finding a way to fix it in a safe and secure way. There are already too many problems we as a race are facing but as you can see, our drug problem does indeed have a solution. It may not be a straight line, and it might take some time. We can work together as a society to implement the decriminalization of drugs. Cutting down our crime rate, controlling the problem and helping people get better. Following Portugal’s lead, we can create a healthier place to live and, in turn, healthier people who live in it. Showing our future generations that violence is not the answer, and that helping people who may not realize they are in need, and recognizing a good way to do that is the goal.