Drug Legalization Vs Decriminalization

Introduction
With the advent of media, the topics like “drug legalization” are frequently brought forward, so that the audience can be aware and updated regarding the actions taken by the government in this aspect. The rapid increase of drug usage has affected almost every person in the society, at some point in life. This effect can be on personal scale, such as the abusive behavior of a family member or on economical scale, such as the expense incurred by the government to deal with the consequences of drugs abuse. The paper conducts a detail analysis on how drugs have been acting like an epidemic for an economy as well as the human health.
Issues such as drug legalization are crucial to address as they have the ability to disturb the functioning
This practice is being followed in many countries, where the country uses its law enforcement agencies to go after the producers and distributors of drugs, whereas the users of these substances are treated through various rehabilitation programs and by the help of social services and healthcare institutes (Currie, p.575).
I agree with Currie’s opinion on decriminalization for it is important to understand that decriminalization differs from legalization on various grounds. Decriminalization allows the possession and use of harmful drugs as a major public concern and not as a criminal offense. It allows the government to reach the root cause of the problem, by treating it from the point where the problem actually lies. In countries that practice decriminalization, the cases of substance abuse are treated by psychologists, counselors and social workers, without threatening the users of the fear of prosecution. There is no involvement of police because drugs abuse in such society is not viewed as a crime but a serious health concern that need to be solved on urgent
There is no doubt about the fact that drug abuse takes lives but so do guns. The only difference is that someone holding a gun to your head does not give you a choice, whereas holding a needle does. It is obvious that the rate of addiction and crime is escalating with drug abuse in today’s society. The affiliation of drugs with crime cannot be neglected. It is a felony to manufacture, distribute or even possess a drug which has the potential of being abused by individual. Heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and marijuana are such drugs. Drug abuse affects the behaviour of a person, generating violence and influencing illegal activities, associated with drug