Legalization

The war against drugs is failing miserably. Enforcement is a running joke with meager imprisonment for offenders. Recently, the situation in London has gotten so desperate, in regards to drug abuse (and more specifically heroin) that the president of the Association of Chief Police, Sir David Philips was noted saying, “The system has failed. We have an out-of-control drug industry, and it is time to try a new approach.” All signs are pointing to an imminent drug war collapse not only in the UK but also right here in the USA. But what then is the alternative? Give into the gangsters and let them run the streets? Parish the thought. Why not reclaim control of our slums and for the safety of the population, legalize heroin for addicts, and make it available just like any other prescription medication.

First let me define exactly who would be receiving the drug, how, and what I mean by an “addict”. An addict is defined as some one who has a physical or psychological dependence to a substance and requires continued use in order to prevent with-drawl symptoms. Some may think that those who are addicted should just “suck it up” and endure withdrawal. But few ever ask themselves what withdrawal actually involves “Withdrawal, which in regular abusers may occur as early as a few hours after the last administration, produces muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ('cold turkey') and kicking movements ('kicking the habit'). …Sudden withdrawal by heavily dependent users who are in poor health is occasionally fatal.” To diagnose the patients’ addiction an evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or a specialized addiction counselor and a blood test would be completed. Once the patient has cleared the initial test he would be prescribed a small dose of pure heroin which he/she would be able to use in a supervised, safe environment, which wouldn’t be much different than our present day “safe injection sites” (which are very controversial and face closure everyday).

The opposition may think that by legalizing heroin society would be condoning the choice to engage in this “sordid” activity, reserved only for the dregs of society. Many also believe that drugs lead to criminal activity, irresponsible behavior and believe its continued use is ultimately fatal. According to the drug free American foundation (DFAF) “Abusing heroin leads to serious health risks, including fatal overdose, collapsed veins, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis… infectious diseases [and increases the risk] of pulmonary and respiratory complications.” Why not forget society’s heinous hasty overgeneralizations and look at the facts.

In reality, heroin addiction is not only something which happens in the dark back ally streets but also in the suburban homes of corporate executives. By making prescriptions available to addicts it would dry-up the black market industry for heroin, significantly decrease the availability for first timers to get heroin and harm gangs profits considerably thus affecting their influence in society. “Unlike alcohol or tobacco, heroin causes no ongoing toxicity to the tissues or organs of the body. Apart from causing some constipation, it appears to have no side effects in most who take it.” When administered safely, its use may be consistent with a long and productive life. “The principal harm comes from problems with injecting, drug impurities and adverse legal or financial consequences. ” Heroin could be sold at wholesale and pure, its safest form. “According to U.S. News & World report, in 1985 a gram of pure heroin in Pakistan cost $5.07, but it’s sold for $2425 on the street in America--nearly a five-hundredfold jump.” The fact that heroin is so expensive has a major influence in the amount of crime being committed; people must steal, sell their bodies and engage in all sorts of other illegal activity in order to support their ridiculously overpriced habit. By selling heroin at face value it would eliminate the addicts constant need for money and finally give them the opportunity to hold down a steady job and be a functioning part of society. This would provide police officers with more