Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized? To begin examining this statement, one should first examine what drugs purposes are and if they have a worthy enough purpose to be excepted into society. Drugs such as Marijuana have been legalized for strictly medical purposes only. Marijuana has been found to treat the nausea suffered by cancer patients and also treat the wasting of AIDS patients. Both fatal diseases with no cures. But what effects overall does Marijuana and other elicit drugs have and are these effects mild enough and worth subjecting to those who are non-terminally ill? The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign provides information and descriptions on the six most popular illegal drugs used in America. Ranging from Marijuana to Crystal Meth. Marijuana, the most common used illegal drug, interferes with memory, learning, and attention. Marijuana also impairs judgment and reaction time. A study done recently in Memphis, Tennessee showed that one out of every three drivers stopped for reckless driving were high on marijuana. 15% of accident victims also had been smoking marijuana. Smoking 1 to 3 marijuana cigarettes is equal to up to 15 regular cigarettes including up to 15 times the lung cancer risk. Cocaine, also known as crack, comes from coca plant leaves found in South America. Cocaine, which is processed into a white powder can be snorted or melted and injected. When it is smoked it is then referred to as “crack”. The sharing of needles for injection purposes result in a high risk of diseases including AIDS. Activists who are Pro decriminalization argue that legalization will help to promote safe drug usage by creating centers to distribute clean supplies, such as needles. This is incremental to eliminating diseases caused by unclean needles, but what about the diseases caused by cocaine? Cocaine is an extremely addicted drug. It interferes with judgment and emotions and users can ...
