The Continuing War on Drugs

Murders related to narcotics rank as the fourth most documented murder

circumstance out of twenty four possible categories[1]. The United States spends

approximately six hundred dollars per second on the war on drugs and arrests 1.6

million people each year for drug affiliated crimes[2]. The war on drugs in the United

States is costing the average American citizen their life, their taxes, and their personal

freedom.

The crime rate in the United States, and in Prince George’s County in

particular, has increased greatly over the years. The murder rate in 2007 was at a high

of one hundred and sixty four in Maryland’s fourth congressional district[3]. Simply

stated, the war on drugs has ended up in incarceration of much of American youth

rather than them receiving the help they need. Most crimes all over America stem

from drugs. As seen during the prohibition of alcohol, the ban on the sale of alcohol

led to the rise of gangs, the mafia and other alcohol related crimes. The legalization of

drugs will not only decrease the crime rates in the United States but it would also

improve the overall quality of life in inner cities[4].

Although there are many pros and cons to the legalization of drugs, several

pros outweigh the cost of the cons. Albert Wynn, a candidate in the race for

Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District, admits that there is a serious crime matter

in Maryland. He approaches the issue of gang related activity with a solution of none

other than more funding. Wynn fails to mention the issue of drugs at all in his issues,

even though they contribute greatly to gang affiliation. Donna Edwards on the other

hand fails to mention crime, gangs, or drugs in her issues altogether.

The Libertarian Legal Code suggests that man is the owner of his body. He

can do with it whatever he wishes, provided he respects the human and property

rights of the other members of society[5]. Ending the war on drugs would foster

more freedom to the individual as promised. It would eliminate inconsistencies,

guarantee freedoms, and increase the effectiveness of the government’s anti-drug

beliefs[6].

Michael Babula greatly supports the end of the war on drugs because of the

many advantages it would have to Prince George’s County, as well as the United

States as a whole. He believes it would significantly reduce crime rates, facilitate the

economy, and improve everyone’s quality of life.


[1] Whithousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html ONDCP Drug-Related Crime March, 2000
[2] Babula2008.com Issues Legalization of Drugs
[3] Ibid.
[4] Findarticles.com Legalize Drugs Now! The American Journal of Economics and Sociology July, 2000 Meaghan Cussen and Walter Block
[5] Findarticles.com Attitudes Towards Drug Legalization Among Drug Users, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, February, 2002. Robert A. Trevino, Alan J. Richard
[6] Findarticles.com Legalize Drugs Now! The American Journal of Economics and Sociology July, 2000 Meaghan Cussen and Walter Block