The question of the possibility or necessity of criminalization has repeatedly arisen regarding the consumption of narcotic or psychotropic substances without a therapist’s prescription. It should be assumed that bringing drug users to criminal liability may be more effective than administrative, only under the condition of imposing imprisonment with simultaneous compulsory treatment and rehabilitation. Moreover, resocialization after release from deprivation of liberty is also a vital factor that should be included in the criminalization of drugs. According to the theoretical research, if all the mentioned practices are addressed, criminalization can be effective (Lesser, 2021). However, the situation is different in the practice of drug law development. The federal perception of some substances highlights the punishment for ownership and usage of particular drugs. It can be performed through fines and sometimes even considered a felony crime being prosecuted according to the state’s policy. Even though the federal stance on drug policy includes rehabilitation, prevention, and recovery points, before 2013, many states lacked recovery inquiries (Lesser, 2021). Earlier, the drug policy was focused primarily on the punishments of the offenders. With the subsequent development of the laws, the focus of the drug-related legislation was shifted to the improved policy focused on the vital need for the recovery of addicts.
The simple criminalization of drug use cannot effectively solve the drug use problem. In this vein, it seems the most rational to improve the practice of implementing the existing administrative and legal means It is vital to direct addicts to treatment and rehabilitation and implementing other measures to prevent drug addiction as a disease and a social phenomenon (Lesser, 2021). Therefore, the development of the drug law and criminalization positively affect minimizing drug abuse. In recent years, these processes raised the issue regarding the vital need for recovery for people suffering from drug addiction.
Reference
Lesser, B. (2021). American drugs policy. DualDiagnosis. Web.