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==Arguments for legalization==

==Arguments for legalization==

 

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

In 2001 Portugal decriminalised the personal usage of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Statistics indicate that with the exception of marijuana drug use declined overall, the number or persons seeking treatment for drug addiction rose and levels of HIV infection dropped. Portugal has the lowest rate of marijuana use by over 15 year olds in Europe at 10%, comparatively the United States the percentage of users over the age of 12 is over 39%. <ref>http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1893946,00.html</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>

*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>

*Futility of criminalization.  The laws on illicit drugs cannot be effectively enforced and drugs are easy to procure.  When a law cannot be effectively enforced, it is of questionable merit.  Also, since [[alcohol]] is a dangerous, legal alternative, people will frequently turn to it instead, which is arguably no better.

*Futility of criminalization.  The laws on illicit drugs cannot be effectively enforced and drugs are easy to procure.  When a law cannot be effectively enforced, it is of questionable merit.  Also, since [[alcohol]] is a dangerous, legal alternative, people will frequently turn to it instead, which is arguably no better.

==External Links==

==External Links==