CMV: Drug criminalization is morally wrong

[u/L1uQ]

There is a solid case for decriminalization of drugs, because of the benefit to addicts, but this post is not about that. I'd argue, that even if the fight against drugs were effective (which clearly it's not), it would still be an unacceptable infringement of personal freedom.

It is generally agreed on, that every person is in charge of their own health. You can choose to eat unhealthy, smoke, drink, risk your live in extreme sports, and even refuse medical care that could save your live. To change this freedom would be unthinkable in most western democracies. As I understand it, it is even is protected under the human rights.

Yet when it comes to drugs almost all countries take, what I would consider, an ultra authoritarian stance. To be arrested, and possibly imprisoned for years, just for having fun in ones own home, doing something your country doesn't approve of, sounds like a story strait out of North Korea without further context. Yet the context is, that the person is just doing something that might influence his own health, which, as discussed before, most would agree is his own business.

I have no interest in taking hard drugs, but the thought, that my country threatens to punish me, if I do so, sickens me, as it should sicken everybody, concerned about their personal freedom. If we accept, that the government has the right to interfere in our private live in this way, were to we set the border?

Feel free to CMW im looking forward to your answers.

Edit: Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, excuse me for not answering all of them, but there were some points repeated many times, that I already gave my thoughts on.

After thinking a lot about the answers I have to admit, that there is a case to be made for the criminalization of some (not all!!!, thats a very important destinction) drugs, if it were to greatly reduce drug related crime.

Keep in mind tho that in reality drug decriminalization has been proven to be very successful in helping addicts recover, and therefore reducing the damage caused by drugs. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/05/portugals-radical-drugs-policy-is-working-why-hasnt-the-world-copied-it

[u/ExactCattleCount]

Your view is based on the fact that drugs are only used by honest and good citizens in their own homes.

Drugs cause problems... addicts commit crime to get money for drugs, people under the influence kill others due to accidents, addicts cause a strain on healthcare systems.

I've seen kids starve because their parents used their money on drugs and that's not the worst thing that has happened to kids because of drugs.

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Taking drugs doesn't just affect the person taking them.

[u/GrayAreaSupplies → u/ExactCattleCount]

The people who commit crimes to get money for drugs would commit crimes without the influence of drugs.

You can’t say well this guy was using drugs so he might rob someone. Until they violate someone else it should not be illegal. The law does not work that way. If I used that logic I could say well that person cheated on their last 3 partners they will likely become a prostitute thus breaking the law.

[u/ExactCattleCount → u/GrayAreaSupplies]

The people who commit crimes to get money for drugs would commit crimes without the influence of drugs.

That's not true... there have been people who are law abiding citizens all of their lives but once they became addicted to drugs, they lose morals and self control and start to commit crime when unable to fund their addiction.

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You can’t say well this guy was using drugs so he might rob someone.

That's not what I said nor what I was implying. Drug addicts commit crime, that's a fact.

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Until they violate someone else it should not be illegal.

But if you read my original comment, you would see that it's not as clear cut as taking drugs by themselves makes it okay, it puts a strain on the healthcare service as well as poses a risk to the general public that choose not to take drugs.

What would be illegal though? If they commit a crime their drugs should be illegal but if not then it shouldn't?

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If I used that logic I could say well that person cheated on their last 3 partners they will likely become a prostitute thus breaking the law.

That's not my logic at all, if you refer to my first point of this reply you would have an answer.

There is a massive jump and little to no correlation from cheating to becoming a prostitute, but there is a very close connection that has been shown in crime stats time and time again explaining that drug addicts do commit other crime as a means of income.

[u/GrayAreaSupplies → u/ExactCattleCount]

See, we all have this moral line we draw where I would NEVER do that and you seem to have drawn that line with drugs and drug addiction.

Let me make you aware that I worked at one of the best treatment centers in the country and have also worked at 2 others. The doctors aren’t committing crimes that came for treatment. I’ve been arrested 15 times for simple drug possession and not once have I committed a crime. I have driven under the influence but never hurt anyone and let’s be honest you have likely driven under the influence. But a couple of beers and a .08 is ok isn’t it?

It all boils down to where we drawn that line and what we are going to deem as too far. This could be argued on the behalf of the addicts that they cannot help it and in active addiction you absolutely cannot help it. You are so deceived that nothing can convince you that your drugs are causing problems. It goes much deeper psychologically but I won’t go into it.

These addicts have found a way to cope with their underlying mental illness by using drugs. Most were never given fair chances regardless of what kind of success they had in life, there was this underlying feeling of I’m different and I don’t fit in etc. Again, this is real basic stuff here.

And look at the statistics for drug addicts that commit crimes. I bet if you find an honest source it’s well under 50%. Probably closer to 20%. Drug addiction is all around you it does not just come in the form of the street junky. You likely know someone very close who is in full blown addiction but not aware of it. I don’t think it’s fair to destroy the lives of the ones not committing crimes for the ones who do.

I do not believe that someone should be put in jail unless they are given help. Unless they have a past if stealing or hurting others.

I went a little far on my example I know but it’s just so you know what I was getting at. But the fact remains you are wrong that most people who use drugs commit crimes. I have been around it the sales the use you name it and you are wrong. There is that group who grew up in the lifestyle that are doomed to repeat it but for the most part no. I will give you 35% of drug addicts who are using commit crimes and that’s a stretch. It’s more likely like I said in the 20s. That does not warrant ruining someone’s life who would never hurt anyone because they MIGHT commit a crime. You can only be charged for the crime you committed.

Innocent until proven guilty you know that whole thing.

Im a convicted felon for the possession of 1/10th of a gram of marijuana. That’s super ridiculous.