Utilitarianism: The Role Of Legalization Of Drugs In The United States

Utilitarianism is a hypothesis in standardizing morals holding that the best good activity is the one that expands utility. Utility is defined and characterized in different ways, yet is generally identified with the prosperity of the public. This paper argues whether prohibition of drugs maximize utility or not. In this paper, we shall discuss which of the above mentioned two statements will bring the most happiness to the public.
Legalizing hard drugs in United States will not only leave a bad impact on youth but will also affect economy in ways that we cannot think of. Illegal drugs are smuggled into the United States. If these drugs are to be legalized, then their prices will be reduced to such an extent that they could be bought easily

by almost anyone. By anyone, I mean the very youth of this Nation. Those teenagers who were to bear responsibilities of their lives, who were not doing drugs just because they were out of their range will have a try at one of these hard drugs. It’s in the human psyche; there is no denial to it. It is obvious that availability is a main component in increased drug use. Utilization of drugs will make the youth of this nation addict to these drugs. As a general reflection, prohibition was an amazing achievement and it was clear when President Nixon’s administration cracked the drug mafia down. Many drug addicts are involved in child and spouse abuse, assault, property damage and above all some of them commit suicide leaving a permanent impression on their loved ones. Any crime, you name it and you will find a drug addict related to it. Drug addicts, when not able to continue their jobs, start stealing and indulge their selves in theft to buy shelter, food, clothing and of course more drugs. When these crimes carried out by increased number of drug addicts will rise to a record high then obviously jail population will also increase. Legalization of these hard drugs does not guarantee that smuggling of these drugs will be eliminated. There will always be a mafia that will provide these drugs on a lower cost. A black market of these hard drugs will remain until all the drugs, whatsoever, are provided in unlimited amount to every age group across the whole country in minimum cost. This statement means that those teenagers who were no of legal age to buy drugs will go to the drug dealers to get these drugs. It can be best explained by giving the example of the liquor. Although the underage sale of liquor is prohibited in United States but still teenagers get their hands on them either by tipping some stupid adults or paying more to the cashier of the shop. Now we must see the other side of the picture too.
Apart from their disadvantages, legalization of these drugs has some serious advantages too.

If we use utilitarianism to see the cost of legalizing hard drugs by considering the outcomes that were obtained when liquor was legalized, we can certainly rule out the bad effects of these hard drugs too. The economy of the United States can be boosted by legalizing these drugs and reducing smuggling of these drugs to an extent, where they do not affect the economy of the country. Some of the states of the U.S. want to legalize some of these hard drugs just to uplift the drowning economy of the country. DEA (Drug Regulatory Authority) must pay their informers who bring intelligence about drug mafias. This payment is carried by the money of the U.S. tax payers who earn this money by their sweat and blood. Legalizing these hard drugs will not only reduce the informers but will also cut jobs from the DEA itself which will be huge relief for US tax payers. Making these drugs legalized will create a sense of freedom in the American citizens. This very freedom will reduce stress and depression from the public. Some of the patients who are in acute chronic pain do not get the requires dosage of these drugs (medical marijuana) by the doctors because the doctors are too afraid to prescribe their high quantities. Constant and prolonged pain will trigger depression in the patients. Legalization of these drugs will not only relieve pressure from the doctors but will also free the average

American from their medical sufferings. The bilateral relations with countries like Mexico are greatly affected by these drug issues. Billions of dollars’ worth of trade can be carried out with these countries with correct policies. Smuggled drugs not only affect the US economy badly but is also refraining ourselves from the cultural exchange that can be carried out with the above-mentioned countries.
Keeping in mind the true definition of utilitarianism, I prefer the former argument more convincing. Some statistics will surely support my opinion. A detailed survey carried out by drugfree.org in 2010 showed that 1 out of every 10 Americans is addicts. This makes roughly twenty-three million people. Out of these 23 million people, only 11 percent take treatment. That means roughly 20 million people either don’t have the proper resources or they do not want to cure their addiction and they will continue their use of drugs. If drugs are to be legalized then I am pretty much sure that these addicts will be happy but what about those responsible adults who take full responsibilities of their lives? We will surely observe a nation-wide strike by those people who care for their loved ones. If these drugs would be legalized then there would be no reason for people to travel to big cities or lonely neighbor hoods to buy these drugs and when the prices will be reduced by roughly 95 percent (page 150, Wilson) and there will be no restriction to buying of these drugs then anyone would avail these drugs. And by anyone I mean children. The greatest problem that the United States will face is, if these drugs are to be legalized without proper laws will be the underage sale of these drugs. Even if proper laws are there, we will surely observe illegal use of these drugs among underage teenagers. The example of liquor is the best to be quoted here.
Those people who say that legalization of drugs does not mean there will be increased number of drug addicts are wrong.

Statistics prove them wrong. When in 1960, heroin use was legalized for medical purposes, there were 68 heroin addicts and this number rose to 2000 by 1968. In early 1980’s 40 percent increase was recorded in average drug addicts. In 1982, there were 20000 drug addicts in London alone (page152, Wilson). Now if similar strategy is applied here in United States then there is no doubt that drug addicts will increase even if it is legalized only for medical purposes. Many youngsters are clean from these drugs just because they have the fear of being caught by the law enforcing agencies or they don’t have such huge amount of money to buy these drugs. If these drugs are legalized then both of the above-mentioned causes of their prohibition from drugs will vanish and there will be no one to stop them from using these

drugs.