Decriminalization Not Working?

in #politics22 days ago


We have seen decriminalization to some extent in different areas around the world, the policy has received great scrutiny from many who say that it has destroyed communities by allowing people to consume drug substances in public places like parks, on streets, in businesses, or hospitals, public transportation, and other areas.

With all of the pushback against the growing issue of homeless communities and substance abuse issues it seems that now some areas are considering a change and turning their back on decriminalization. One might suggest that drug consumption is a non-violent act that one should have the liberty to engage in if not harming anyone else, but when consuming in public places or private businesses it can cause harm for others and not only the individual who is consuming the product. What parents want their children to find needles on the playground? Who wants to take public transportation when someone is on the train using hard drugs and blowing out the excess smoke in their faces? This is one issue that seems to have support from across the political spectrum to some extent, to see things changed and decriminalization reformed into perhaps more restriction when it comes to drug use.

We have seen what a mess the war on drugs has caused communities around the world, the violence that has been inflicted upon peaceful individuals and the excessive restriction to liberty along the way. Now there seems to be little to no discussion of liberty though, when it comes to drug consumption talks. Perhaps this is because for many who witness the problem they are tired of seeing communities fall apart with addict communities arguably growing out of control and causing mayhem as a result of unchecked issues. It also might not make sense to many when they see more restriction for products like raw dairy than they do for hard drugs that can greatly devastate individual lives and families. That doesn't make much sense, does it?