Wars and Drugs Don't Mix

  As a kid, I was told by my parents, and every adult figure who had any input on the subject, things like, "Drugs are bad!" and "Say no to drugs!" As a teenager, I was told by my peers, and every adolescent who had anything to say about the matter, things like, "Drugs are good," "Research (drug)," and "Come hit this." So I tried drugs, and I'm still conflicted on the morality of substance use. The way I see it, drugs can be both good and bad; many chemical substances have their pros and cons, appropriate times and situations for proper use, and long term benefits and risks. The way I see it, drugs are meant to be used, not abused. Regardless of my personal opinion on the drugs themselves, I stand firmly against the current United States drugs laws. 

  The war on drugs has not decreased drugs use, despite spending more money, (Serena Dai, A Chart That Says the War on Drugs Isn't Working, thewire.com) and the illegal status of drugs means that criminals control drug distribution. I opt that we fully legalize almost all drugs, place age restrictions on use, even though teenagers will still use them, and turn to a policy of education rather than criminalization. In many urban areas, the only things you need in order to purchase drugs are money and knowing the right person. That person doesn't need to be qualified, he doesn't need to be informed, and he doesn't need to sell you quality drugs; as long as he's making enough money to get more, he'll sell you what he's got. If licensed, educated, and informed professionals were in charge of dispensing drugs, people could acquire drugs in more responsible, adult way. In order to be eligible to purchase a certain drug, citizens should be required to take a specific class informing them of Everything they need to know about using the drugs, with different courses required for different drugs. More educated users means more educated use. Drug purity would be pharmaceutical grade, decreasing the likelihood of overdosing due to underestimating/overestimating the potency of a chemical substance. By increasing the availability of access to the vast majority of people, it would decrease dependability on the supply of gangs, cartels, and organized criminal syndicates. 

  The current illegal status of drugs means that drugs users are labelled as criminals by the law of the United States government. This criminal status can lead to violence, organized crime, and overflowing prisons, costing the tax-payers money and putting their safety at risk. The futuristic possibility of drugs being legal might lead to peace and understanding between users and non-users, as drug use can create a societal stigma of shame, (such as when drunks look down on pot smokers, or pot smokers look down upon drunks, both of which happen), the development of a more open minded and consciously connected culture, spiritual growth, the creation of new industries which will bring about an increase in job opportunities, scientific exploration of medically and psychologically applicable drug uses, reduced risks of drug use, increased benefits of drug use, and an unforeseeable amount of other possible goodness to come. These payoffs can stimulate the economy, putting more money in the tax-payers pockets to do a surge in government income. More importantly, it will benefit the well being of the American people, and hopefully, one day, the world.