Introduction
The war against drugs has taken different shapes over the past century. Governments and jurisdictions rely on emerging ideas and criminal issues to implement superior policies that are intended to protect the lives and experiences of citizens. The possession, use, and trafficking of drugs are some of the practices that are linked to reduced security and increased criminal activities. However, the criminal justice systems and procedures put in place reveal that there is a need for drug decriminalization. This essay examines the nature of this issue from an affirmative point of view.
Drug Decriminalization
The idea of drug decriminalization is an evidence-based approach aimed at addressing the challenges of illicit substances. Different states in the United States have introduced new policies aimed at legalizing the possession, use, and transport of small quantities of various substances, such as bhang. A good example of such efforts is the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) whose aim is to guide and support drug users through personalized treatment (Brennan, 2017). This model ensures that the individuals are to be booked or arrested for specific drug offenses. Some of them include low-level marketing and possession of certain substances.
From this analysis, it is evident that drug decriminalization is an initiative intended to eliminate the penalties for minor crimes associated with various substances. Some of these offenses include drug possession, abuse, and marketing (Virani & Haines-Saah, 2020). Another malpractice the relevant agencies address using the established legal systems includes the possession of various equipment individuals use to inject drugs into their blood systems, such as syringes and needles. In the United States, the government is proposing several measures to take the war on illicit drugs to the next level. A good example is the targeted Drug Policy Reform Act that has remained controversial. Many stakeholders have, therefore, been focusing on new approaches to help abusers instead of victimizing them.
Supporting Drug Decriminalization
Drug decriminalization has emerged as an evidence-based strategy that is capable of delivering various benefits. First, the model is capable of the federal funds or costs incurred in the country’s prison system. For instance, Virani and Haines-Saah (2020) revealed that around 1.6 million citizens were arrested in 2018 for drug-related offenses. Around 86 percent of such individuals were guilty of possessing, distributing, or selling small quantities of various drugs. These numbers overwhelmed the established criminal justice system. The consideration of the proposed initiative will address these challenges and make it possible for the targeted individuals to transform their lives.
Second, the government will be in a position to free up most of the available resources and systems. This achievement means that the relevant stakeholders will use such opportunities to address the needs recorded in other fields, such as healthcare, transportation, and homeland security (Gallagher, 2015). The decriminalization of such drugs will present additional opportunities for other participants to remain involved and identify better ways to achieve their maximum potential.
Third, the whole idea of drug decriminalization is capable of presenting additional strategies for focusing on the safety and health demands of the citizens. This initiative will guide the relevant agencies to be involved and empower these victims to lead better lives. They will acquire additional ideas for learning more about their medical problems and seek relevant support (Gallagher, 2015). This effort will transform their experiences and encourage them to sensitize their colleagues and partners. Such malpractice has the potential to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes.
Fourth, the established criminal justice model allows traffickers and users of drugs to be incarcerated. The move to decriminalize such substances will guide the relevant authorities to find and guide offenders accordingly. Such an initiative is capable of reducing the current problem of stigmatization (Brennan, 2017). The members of the society will be keen to support such individuals and guide them to identify better opportunities for transforming their experiences. The new model will become a new opportunity for most of the abusers to seek the relevant treatment and join support groups.
Finally, the process of decriminalizing drugs is recommendable since it might set the stage for other practices that are designed to reduce harm. For instance, the government has heroin-assisted support and treatment, drug checking, and medical marijuana programs that remain critical to meet the demands of the greatest majority (Virani & Haines-Saah, 2020). The decriminalization model will minimize some of these misdemeanors and encourage more people to be involved in strategies that can result in better life experiences. These efforts are capable of delivering notable results and transforming the experiences of more citizens in the country.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified the concept of drug decriminalization as evidence-based and capable of delivering numerous advantages. The government needs to address some of the existing loopholes and identify additional ways to support the idea. Such an initiative will encourage more citizens to be part of the current harm reduction projects and free up the available resources to support the country’s homeland security, transport, and healthcare goals.
References
Brennan, M. (2017). Should marijuana be legalized?Point Counterpoint, 13(2), 116-117.
Gallagher, L. (2015). Should the United States move towards Portugal’s decriminalization of drugs? University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review, 22(2), 207-231. Web.
Smiley, E. (2016). Marijuana & other drugs: Legalize or decriminalize. Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law, 33(3), 825-856.
Virani, H. N., & Haines-Saah, R. J. (2020). Drug decriminalization: A matter of justice and equity, not just health. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 58(1), 161-164.