The use of drugs has always been part of human history since time immemorial. Alcohol, opium, and tobacco, among others, have always served as escape valves and often led to downfall, decadence, and death. Spanning through time and reaching the present day, where we have legalized drugs like alcohol and cigarettes, as well as medicinal drugs like opioid medications used to treat pain and psychotropic medications used to treat mental illnesses, defying the law, there are also illegal drugs, with the most well-known being marijuana, cocaine, and crack, which were prohibited until recently in virtually the entire world. However, for a few years now, the movement for the liberation of these drugs has been growing and gaining ground, with the defense of the liberation of cannabis, which is the gateway to other drugs. They have already achieved some victories in countries such as the United States, Canada, and some other parts of the world by legalizing drug use, especially marijuana, with the justification of ending trafficking and even reducing consumption. Nevertheless, the liberation of cannabis is far from an effective solution and has unfortunately proven to be the opposite.
Let's see in practice: has there been any improvement in these places, where drug use is now freely allowed on the streets? The answer to this question is no. Just look at countries like Canada, for example, which has experienced a gradual degradation of its society since the legalization of drug use, with an increase in theft, homicides, and rapes. In other words, what we see is that the legalization of drug use not only did not bring any benefits to the population but also increased violence. And what about trafficking? Well, trafficking remains strong and persistent, as far as we know.
Given this scenario, the question arises: after all, whose interests does drug legalization truly serve? Who benefits from the legalization or tolerance of these drugs that have already caused so much harm to our families and our society? It's a fact that if you conduct a simple internet search, you will see that in places where these illicit substances are legalized or tolerated, all we witness is social chaos.
Let's be quite frank: drug trafficking won't end just because the government decides to legalize and tax marijuana. Even if all other drugs are legalized, this may provide more revenue to the government, but it certainly won't put an end to trafficking. After all, if that were the case, we wouldn't have counterfeit clothes, shoes, and bags, would we? It's undoubtedly easier for some to buy illegally than to pay taxes. And those who have already trusted suppliers won't switch to a legal source just because the government has decided so.
In my view, the only thing that the legalization of marijuana, which is undeniably a gateway to other drugs, will do is cause an increase in narcotic dependence and, consequently, the number of deaths and related crimes. Frankly, I can't say what would genuinely end drug trafficking, but it appears that full legalization is not the way.
But I'm not ignorant; I know that many people use cannabis for medicinal purposes, and in these cases, yes, under strict medical supervision and by health authorities, it seems that the use of marijuana should be allowed, but only for this purpose.
In conclusion, what we are witnessing is the slow and progressive decline of our society. Incidents like those occurring in some parts of the world, with people getting high and acting crazy in public places and in broad daylight, provide evidence for what I'm saying. If the authorities want to succumb to this decadence, so be it. I won't be the moral judge of the world and condemn their decision to legalize, then. But these individuals should be at least prohibited from consuming their "product" in public spaces; they should do it within their homes. And if any of these people pose a risk to others on the streets, they should be reported and arrested. The government should provide treatment for those who want to overcome their addiction; after all, if the government would like to profit from drug sales, they should also take responsibility for the side effects.
Because legally considered drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, and opioids are tightly controlled. In other words, if someone is caught driving drunk, they can be arrested, lose their license, go to court, pay fines, and even serve probation or go to jail. Similarly, if you need opioids, you must undergo a series of medical evaluations and obtain a medical prescription to acquire these medications. The only exception here is cigarettes, but we know that they don't cause any alteration in your nervous system, and the worst they can do is harm the person who might eventually die from cancer.
What I'm saying is that it appears that if they want to legalize drugs, there must be control and regulation, whether it's only allowing medicinal use with strict health authority oversight and regulation or imposing rules for recreational use, such as only using them at home and being prohibited from going out on the streets while intoxicated. In short, rules similar to those used for alcohol, for example, are needed because, just like an intoxicated person can cause a traffic accident, a drugged person acting irrationally can pose a potential risk to themselves and others around them.
Whether drugs are fully or partially legalized or not, the fact remains that none of this will solve the problem of drug trafficking or the issue of chemical dependence. Undoubtedly, drug trafficking won't disappear with drug legalization, as evidenced by the existence of modern piracy for various luxury items and brands. What I'm trying to convey is that those who already have a reliable supplier from whom they purchase drugs without paying taxes won't want to buy the same drugs from a legalized source just to pay a higher price for the same product, plus taxes. Not that I believe this is right; quite the contrary, I find it entirely wrong. However, I have to be realistic. In the case of dependent individuals, in my opinion, prevention and education of young people from pre-adolescence onwards would be the first step towards solving the problem, helping them understand the harm that drugs can cause in their lives. And for those who have already fallen down this path, in my opinion, treatment involving the supervision of psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists would be the most suitable solution.
