Drug Watch International
DRUG WATCH TRUTH & LIES
“Drug
Legalization” TRUTH AND LIES #3
October 1995
The illegal or harmful use of psychoactive drugs is a
major threat to all world communities and to future generations.
Drug Watch International is a volunteer drug prevention network of
experts from a wide range of professions whose mission is to help assure a
healthier and safer world through drug prevention.
Lie:
The
illegal use of psychoactive drugs is a "victimless" crime.
Truth:
Illegal drug use is not a victimless crime.
Drug users commit crimes under the influence of drugs, cause car, plane
and train crashes, cause industrial and numerous other accidents — creating
unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Drug
users destroy families and take rights and freedom from law-abiding citizens.
Lie:
Drug
legalization is not the same as decriminalization or "harm reduction."
Truth:
A policy of decriminalization (or "harm reduction" as it is
sometimes called) seeks to circumvent the law by protecting the "drug
user." It is de facto
legalization.
Lie:
Drug
use would not increase if drugs were legalized or decriminalized.
Truth: Between
1972 and 1979 eleven states decriminalized marijuana. By 1979 drug use tripled among adolescents, doubled among
young adults, and quadrupled among older adults.
Lie:
The lax drug laws of the Netherlands have not resulted in increased drug
use.
Truth:
Following a policy of tolerance of
cannabis products, there was an enormous increase in the use of cannabis,
especially among young people. From 1980 to 1992 cannabis use increased 248% for ages 10
through 15.
Lie:
The English Government is
considering a policy of decriminalization.
Truth:
In October 1994, Prime Minister John Major wrote, "Drugs are a
menace to our society. They can
wreck the lives of individuals and their families.
They are a frequent cause of crime . . . The Government is firmly against
legalisation or decriminalisation of any drug controlled by the Misuse of Drugs
Act 1971." Drug laws have been
toughened.
Lie:
Sweden's restrictive drug policy has not been effective.
Truth:
In the mid 1970's a restrictive drug policy was initiated.
Drug use declined noticeably among young persons, and continues its
decline today. Experimental use of
cannabis and other drugs is very low in Sweden, and drug use among young people
is very limited.
Lie:
Australia and New Zealand have decriminalized the use of drugs.
Truth:
Contrary to news media, most Australian states have not decriminalized
marijuana. Although a pro drug
group is very active in universities, in July 1995 the students of Auckland
University voted against decriminalization.
The New Zealand Health Minister recently issued a proclamation
"Cannabis Causes Harm."
Lie:
Drugs are legal in Switzerland,
and this has caused no problems.
Truth: Federal
law prohibits all production, trafficking, possession, and consumption of drugs
for non-medical purposes. However, in 1985 needle exchange programs were
initiated. In 1989, Needle Park
opened in Zurich, allowing addicts free rein in a specified location.
Stupefied addicts lay slumped on a carpet of blood-spattered syringes,
cotton swabs and refuse. After a string of murders and violence, Zurich closed
"Needle Park" and Letten Station, another addict haven.
Lie:
The
use of illegal drugs is a personal right.
Truth:
No one has the "personal right" to endanger the health, safety,
and well being of others. Public
health and welfare far outweigh self-interest.
"The responsible use of drugs does not exist.
Drugs destroy. And things that destroy must never be made legal.
If we allow drugs to be legalized, nothing will stem the progress of
evil." Dutch Citizens
#
# #
POSITION
STATEMENT AGAINST THE LEGALIZATION AND
DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUGS
The legalization or decriminalization of drugs would
make harmful, psychoactive, and addictive substances affordable, available,
convenient, and marketable. It
would expand the use of drugs. It
would remove the social stigma attached to illegal drug use and would send a
message of tolerance for drug use, especially to youth.
BACKGROUND:
Drug legalization or decriminalization is opposed by a
vast majority of Americans and people around the world. Leaders in drug prevention, education, treatment, and law
enforcement adamantly oppose it, as do many political leaders.
However, pro-drug advocacy groups, who support the permissive use of
illicit drugs, although small in number, are making headlines.
They are influencing legislation and having a significant impact on the
national policy debate in the United States and in other countries. Pro-drug
lobby groups use a variety of strategies which range from outright legalization
to de facto legalization under the guise of "medicalization,"
"harm reduction," crime reduction, hemp/marijuana for the environment,
free needle distribution to addicts, marijuana cigarettes as medicine, and
controlled legalization through taxation.
RATIONALE:
Illicit drugs are illegal because of their intoxicating
effect on the brain, damaging impact on the body, adverse impact on behavior,
and potential for abuse. Their use
threatens the health, welfare, and safety of all people, of users and non-users
alike.
Legalization would decrease price and increase drug
availability. Availability is a
leading factor associated with increased drug use.
Increased use of addictive substances leads to increased addiction.
As a public health measure, statistics show that Prohibition was a
tremendous success.
Many drug users commit murder, child and spouse abuse,
rape, property damage, assault and other violent crimes under the influence of
drugs. Drug users, many of whom are
unable to hold jobs, commit robberies not only to obtain drugs, but to purchase
food, shelter, clothing and other goods and services. Increased violent crime and increased numbers of criminals
will result in even larger prison populations.
Legalizing drugs will not eliminate illegal trafficking
of drugs nor the violence associated with the illegal drug trade.
A black market would still exist unless all psychoactive and addictive
drugs in all strengths were made available to all ages in unlimited quantity at
no cost.
Drug laws deter people from using drugs.
Surveys indicate that the fear of getting in trouble with the law
constitutes a major reason not to use drugs.
Fear of the American legal system is a major concern of foreign drug
lords. Drug laws have turned drug
users to a drug-free lifestyle through mandatory treatment.
Forty to fifty percent of patients are
in treatment as a result of the criminal justice system.
A study of international drug policy and its effects on
countries has shown that countries with lax drug law enforcement have had an
increase in drug addiction and crime. Conversely,
those with strong drug policies have reduced drug use and enjoy low crime rates.
The United States and many countries would be in violation of international treaty if they created a legal market in cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs. The U.S. is a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotics & the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and has agreed with other members of the United Nations to control and penalize drug manufacturing, trafficking, and use. Recently 112 nations reaffirmed their commitment to strong drug laws.
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