The Decriminalization Of Drugs

There has been a big debate about drugs in America, but how much do drugs really affect the people? Despite the consequences drugs are used by many people, I believe if we have the same system towards drugs as Portugal it could benefit the people. If a person is caught with drugs or caught with someone who has drugs they are immediately put in jail, but depending on the quantity, drug, past convictions, and who has it comes up with how long you’d be in jail. While decriminalizing drugs can help with such things as getting people help with drug addictions and not get a huge fine for getting caught with drugs, how can we be sure it won’t affect us negatively?
Going back to the 1920’s when there was prohibition which failed miserably and created

crime and speakeasies. People loved alcohol they were addicted, some even abused it. After all the crime occurred prohibition was over after America saw how much people wanted alcohol and what they were willing to do for it. Of course, they put restrictions on alcohol like you must be 21 to consume and purchase alcohol. The same thing with drugs, people love them they’re addicted, but for those who aren’t addicted and do it occasionally the punishment still occurs, so America should be thinking how can we help those people instead of punishing them. In the article, “Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: A Health-Centered Approach” it states, “The commission can refer that person to a voluntary treatment program, pay a fine or impose other administrative sanctions. While drug use and possession no longer trigger criminal sanctions, they remain illegal.” Portugal uses a voluntary treatment program for those who want to get help, but don’t know how or can’t and not giving such a hard punishment on those who are found with a little bit of drugs I believe encourages people to not have a record which will more likely make it easier for people to find a job and be stable in the economy. Of course, drug trafficking and being found with tons of narcotics would go through the same criminal process, but being found with things such as marijuana for recreational purposes doesn’t deserve to go through the same thing.
Recently in the news it’s talking about a very popular story relating to this topic.

A few weeks ago, reality television star Kim Kardashian met with President Donald Trump about prison reform, more specifically Alicia Marie Johnson. Johnson was arrested in 1996 for her participation in a cocaine trafficking organization, she was sentenced to life in prison. Life in prison just for her involvement is harsh. There are many other cases such as Lee Carroll Brooker a 75-year-old man from Alabama arrested for growing marijuana plants for his own medical use. He was given a life sentence with no probability of being released. This is an issue, arresting people who do no harm is wrong, especially over something as little as this shouldn’t happen. I could understand a fine, but something as cruel as life in prison isn’t fair. Not to mention, all the crime caused by illegalizing drugs. Growing up in a small town near the border you know who does drugs in high school, there’s drugs at every party you go to, that’s just how it is. It’s easy to get drugs, if people really cared about stopping drugs then shouldn’t there be more enforcement. People post their weed on snapchat or Instagram, but why isn’t it stopped, probably because there’s bigger issues. If the government wants to treat drugs as a huge issue then there should be more to stop

it.
However, there are people who do not agree with decriminalizing drugs. It is true drugs can get people addicted, even a little thing such as marijuana it can make people want more and crave the next high. Drugs have destroyed homes and have turned people into something they’re not. Rehab exists because people are addicted and cannot get rid of the addiction. Anyone can see how drugs can even kill you for example, Whitney Houston and George Michael, high profile celebrity’s giving in to drugs. Although, they are addicting is more the reason why we should decriminalize them. It’ll bring more people to be comfortable with carrying their drug with them if they get caught they will be able to seek help. At a young age they show us videos at school of how badly people are affected by drugs and I wonder why didn’t that hit some people it is because people grow up with it. Growing up with it makes people open to it, they can’t see the negatives. They believe that the addiction can’t happen to them because they’re stronger than the drug, but it also gives them this identity that they are criminals and puts fear into them. Decriminalizing drugs will get rid of children’s fears who grow up with parents that do drugs.
In conclusion, decriminalizing drugs will improve society and benefit the people. Giving people a fair chance at a crime that doesn’t deserve hard prison time. Time that takes them from their kids and family, it shouldn’t be right. Decriminalizing drugs will help get rid of some of the crime towards them.