Believe it or not, drugs have been around for thousands of years. In the medical field, drugs are any type of medicine (or other substance), which has a physiological effect when it is ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. Drugs can produce both harmful and beneficial effects once it is consumed and, “decisions about when and how to use them therapeutically always involve balancing the benefits and risks” (Rang 1). Drugs approved for human use are available through prescription and can be bought freely over the counter. Although drugs have been a great addition to the medical world and its advancement, not all drugs are legal and available for use. The government bans certain drugs, and illegal possession and trafficking of these …show more content…
It is an undeniable fact that illegal drugs do more harm than good, which is why Canada should not legalize all drugs. The growing concern in many communities is how easily accessible drugs are to young adults. At least 42% of Ontario students surveyed have admitted to consuming an illegal substance in the past year. According to Statistics Canada, 60% of illicit drug users in the country are between 15 and 24 years of age. This is a rising crisis due to the health problems that teens who abuse drugs are likely to develop such as, “short-term memory loss, anxiety, depression… cardiovascular disease, liver damage and etc.” (Canadian Centre for Addictions). Furthermore, “Science Daily found that youth in 12th grade who use marijuana, alcohol, and other illegal drugs are likely to drop out of school” (Canadian Centre for Addictions). Supporters of the legalization of drugs “believe that making drugs legal will take away the temptation to use them” (Novelguide). However, this idea would be far from logical as, if drugs were to be legalized then they will be ultimately available for young adults to consume. This poses a threat to the health of the young drug consumers, as these substances are likely to be mass-produced and mixed with other substances that are not exactly safe for consumption. For example, Levamisole, an anthelmintic drug used to kill parasitic worms “became a very popular cocaine adulterant” (Gosmer 1). The drug was previously used to deworm both humans
Decriminalization of drugs is not the same thing as legalization, not endorsing the use of drugs but instead attempting a different approach at the stop of drug use. Drug dealers and manufacturers are still incarcerated, while drug addicts are given treatment instead of punishment. Should Canada decriminalize drugs and instead treat drug addiction as a health issue? Two percent of the population currently report using hard drugs (cocaine, heroin, speed, etc.) within the past year. Taking into consideration that this number is slowly climbing and that most drug users may not admit to using while the harsh punishments still exist, it is clear that this nation has a drug problem that has no foreseeable end. Canada would benefit from the decriminalization
However, before the specific outcomes of Congressional influence and policy impact can be evaluated it becomes important to first review the general history and current situation of drugs today. Our present drug laws were first enacted at the beginning of the century. At the time, recreational use of narcotics was not a major social issue. The first regulatory legislation was for the purpose of standardizing the manufacturing and purity of pharmaceutical products. Shortly after, the first criminal laws were enacted which addressed opium products and cocaine. Although some states had prohibited the recreational use of marijuana, there was no federal criminal legislation until 1937. By
Why are medications like cocaine, marijuana and heroin illicit? Cocaine, Maryjane and heroin are unlawful on the grounds that a great many people imagine that these controlled substances are just too unsafe for anybody to utilize. They the impacts of these substances demolish the body and psyche so gravely and rapidly that nobody ought to attempt them. We have law against medication is so that the individuals who use unsafe medications are putting themselves at a high hazard. They chance their wellbeing and their lives. Since they are infringing upon laws they additionally however themselves at the danger of getting captured. They hazard their flexibility and their future just for medications. Every year medication utilization is the reason for countless at home in the workplace and out and about. Everyone pays the cost of medication misuse: more cops also, detainment facilities more hospitals and treatment focuses and
The use of what are now considered illegal drugs date back as far as 300 BC in many different places of the world. Historically, it has not only been criminals that used illegal drugs. Drugs were used for many things including medicinal purposes, spiritual enlightenment, rituals, as well as for recreation. They were also used by many different cultures, age groups, and social classes. There was a time when the only thing around to alleviate physical pain either from illness, injury, or even during the process of dying were some of these drugs. There were no illegal drugs in the United States until the mid-nineteenth century. This is an essay on 12 of these illegal drugs individually as reported on in the History Channels documentary “Hooked, Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way”.
Within the last 50 years, drug legalization has been a very hotly debated topic in the United States society. It almost seems that every "street drug" was once legal, but banned soon after its introduction in society. Illegal substances that one sees today were once synthesized and created by chemist such as LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, and etc., and at some point used for medical reasons, however during many circumstances were deemed illegal by the government due to detrimental effects after prolonged usage. William Bennett's "Drugs: Should Their Sale and Use Be Legalized" targets the general American public into understanding the societal importance of upholding the nations
The issue of drug policy is one that has plagued our society for decades now, and will continue to linger until we finally become proactive make some bold decisions. With over twenty thousand deaths each year, in Canada alone, due to illicit substances , this is a problem that must be addressed immediately. Many people know where to turn when they have alcohol addiction issues, most turn to Alcoholics Anonymous for example. Smokers are also offered many incentives and advertisements that deter smoking and help them in their struggle to quit. But, there has been no major campaign or well known foundation to seek help in if you are having problems with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, or marijuana. Our problem in Canada is that these drugs are seen as merely a judicial and criminal issue, rather than a public issue which affects each and every one of us in society. In this essay, I will prove that the decriminalization, by the government of all drugs and implementing education on drugs instead will lead to a decline in drug related deaths and social issues.
In pre-modern times, drugs took on a role of medicinal use. As they were distributed in a free market without any constraints, Opium was recommended for sleepless nights, Cocaine for anesthesia, Hashish for relaxation (Hart, Ksir & Ray). These drugs were not dubbed as harmful, therefore, under the appropriate circumstances, provided beneficial effects to its users. More recently, individuals are more inclined to use drugs as an ‘escape’. Stimulants provide a sort of alternate existence which tends to reduce mental tension, increase energy, or induce euphoria (Hart, Ksir & Ray). Argumentatively speaking, drug use only affects the user, so there is no valid reasoning for impairing the freedom of citizens by prohibiting them. Individuals benefit by having the freedom to use
Today in our modern society, many people believe that teen’s develop a mindset of having a clean system and to stay drug free. However, people are not able to foresee that the drug use in America has rising up tremendously. Studies have shown that drugs can not only have impact on your life, but also have impact on those who surround you and also can led to the absence of adolescence. It leads to bad habits and only brings evil deeds. The possession of drugs and the conspiracy sell is illegal in the Unites States. If arrest and put on trial due to drugs can mean serious jail time. According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, people are considered to have a substance use disorder. (Live Science) The Live Science states “... people have strong urges to use a substance or can't control their use of it, or if their use impairs them in social situations or leads to risky behavior.” Members of society have needs when a drug is being in place into there normal day routine. The report also states that an estimated 27.1 million people in the U.S. used an illegal drug in the past month. (Live Science) The mass-production, sale and possession of illegal drugs should be banned in the United States.
Drug legalization is an enduring question that presently faces our scholars. This issue embraces two positions: drugs should not be legalized and drugs should be legalized. These two positions contain an array of angles that supports each issue. This brief of the issues enables one to consider the strengths and weakness of each argument, become aware of the grounds of disagreement and agreement and ultimately form an opinion based upon the positions stated within the articles. In the article “Against the Legalization of Drugs”, by James Q. Wilson, the current status of drugs is supported. Wilson believes if a drug such as heroin were legalized there would be no financial or medical reason to avoid heroin usage;
Drugs have been around for thousands of years. "A drug is any chemical that produces a therapeutic or non-therapeutic effect in the body (Drugs and Teen Substance Abuse 2000.)" Most drugs were first used for medicinal purposes, such as marijuana. Active substances were not extracted into drugs until the 19th century. Newly discovered substances like morphine, laudanum, and cocaine were completely unregulated and prescribed freely by physicians for a wide variety of ailments. Wounded veterans returned home with their kits of morphine and hypodermic needles (History of Drug Abuse, n.d.) The use of illegal drugs is increasing, especially among young teens. The conflict theory of social problems states that, "society is marked by conflict due
The usage of drugs is a very common practice in our society nowadays. The usage of drugs can vary from medical purposes to recreational purposes. What is drugs? ‘A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body works.’ (Science Museum, What is a drug?, n.d.) So this does not mean that drugs can only be in the form of pill, tablet, oral solution, and injection drugs can also in the form of tobacco that contains nicotine, or drinkable substance such as coffee and tea that contains caffeine and beer that contains alcohol. (Crocq, 2003) For some people nowadays recreational drugs already become a way of life.
When people in my community of Cedar Springs, Michigan ask why I go to school 25 miles away from my house, my answer is always the same. When I began school in Cedar Springs, I wanted to leave a legacy. I have tried to make an impact on many areas in my community, and moving schools would mean leaving work unfinished.
Marijuana (also called pot, weed, or Mary Jane) is the name used to describe the seeds, flowers, and leaves in the hemp plant of the genus Cannabis. There are three main species of Cannabis, Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Sativa, and Cannabis Ruderalis. The main type of marijuana that has been used throughout history has been Cannabis Sativa. Marijuana is typically found as a shredded, green-brown mixture of the flowers, leaves, and stems from Cannabis Sativa. Most people smoke marijuana by rolling it like a cigarette, called joints. People also put it in hollow cigars, called blunts, and some people even mix it into food such as brownies and tea.
Since 2000, the drug use rate in America has risen to the highest it’s ever been. In a survey done in 2009, 8.7 percent of people age 12 and up said that they used illegal substances within a month of taking the survey, a 9 percent increase since 2008 (Abuse, National Institute on Drug, 2010). This statistic alone is very concerning due to
Charles Dickens' David Copperfield relates the story of a young boy's growth and development into maturity. The story starts with the birth and childhood of David Copperfield at his home, Blunderstone Rookery. He was born six months after the death of his father and now he is raised by his mother Clara and his nurse Peggotty, who give him a happy childhood. He remembers his mother as carefree and recalls the relaxed atmosphere that the three of them had together. He frequently says that this is one of the happiest times in his life.