Changes

[[Drugs]] are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. [[Drug abuse]] is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. '''Illegal drugs''' are drugs whose possession and/or use is forbidden by law (in most jurisdictions) due to their harmfulness and, usually, lack of therapeutic use. [[The Bible]] generally prohibits the use of drugs such as these. The most common illegal drugs are:

[[Drugs]] are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. [[Drug abuse]] is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. '''Illegal drugs''' are drugs whose possession and/or use is forbidden by law (in most jurisdictions) due to their harmfulness and, usually, lack of therapeutic use. [[The Bible]] generally prohibits the use of drugs such as these. The most common illegal drugs are:

*[[Cannabis]] (''Cannabis sativa'') is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some varying psychoactive properties. Other names for the Cannabis plant prepared for use are: Marijuana, Pot, Acapulco gold, Grass, clarky cat, Weed and Reefer. The main psychoactive ingredient within Cannabis is Delta-9-Tetrahydroannabinol (THC). There are three different preparations of Cannabis: Marijuana (Ground flower buds and/or leaves), Hashish (Pressed Cannabis Trichomes) and Hashish Oil (Ethanol extracted Cannabinoids). Although marijuana is illegal there are many groups researching its therapeutic properties and painkilling properties for people with chronic pain or disease.

*[[Cannabis]] (''Cannabis sativa'') is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some varying psychoactive properties. Other names for the Cannabis plant prepared for use are: Marijuana, Pot, Acapulco gold, Grass, Weed and Reefer. The main psychoactive ingredient within Cannabis is Delta-9-Tetrahydroannabinol (THC). There are three different preparations of Cannabis: Marijuana (Ground flower buds and/or leaves), Hashish (Pressed Cannabis Trichomes) and Hashish Oil (Ethanol extracted Cannabinoids). Although marijuana is illegal there are many groups researching its therapeutic properties and painkilling properties for people with chronic pain or disease.

    

    

*[[Coca]] (mostly ''Erythroxylum coca'') is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter.

*[[Coca]] (mostly ''Erythroxylum coca'') is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter.

Whilst there are undoubtedly arguments against legalizing particular or all recreational drugs, there are arguments to the contrary.

Whilst there are undoubtedly arguments against legalizing particular or all recreational drugs, there are arguments to the contrary.

*Crime.  Some argue that the primary immorality associated with illicit drugs is the resultant drug-related crime.  The cocaine industry is notoriously immortal, whilst a legal industry would almost certainly be far less so. Celerino Castillo, a twenty-year veteran of law enforcement (including twelve years in the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]]), calls the drug war a "vile and despicable presence doing irreparable harm to all of the American landscape," and insists that legalization is the only real solution to eliminating drug cartels and gangs.<ref>[http://mapinc.org/newsleap/v08/n258/a06.html Drug War Doing Irreparable Harm], Brownsville Herald, 3 March 2008.</ref>

*Crime.  Some argue that the primary immorality associated with illicit drugs is the resultant drug-related crime.  The cocaine industry is notoriously immoral, whilst a legal industry would almost certainly be far less so. Celerino Castillo, a twenty-year veteran of law enforcement (including twelve years in the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]]), calls the drug war a "vile and despicable presence doing irreparable harm to all of the American landscape," and insists that legalization is the only real solution to eliminating drug cartels and gangs.<ref>[http://mapinc.org/newsleap/v08/n258/a06.html Drug War Doing Irreparable Harm], Brownsville Herald, 3 March 2008.</ref>

*[[Human Rights]].  It has been suggested that it is a human right to have access to recreational drugs, and that it is immoral of the government to prevent this.  However, this argument is not without criticism.  Drug use may lead to a user negatively affecting the lives of others.

*[[Human Rights]].  It has been suggested that it is a human right to have access to recreational drugs, and that it is immoral of the government to prevent this.  However, this argument is not without criticism.  Drug use may lead to a user negatively affecting the lives of others.