The Way to Prevent Drug Abuse Is Through Education Not Legislation

“The way to prevent drug abuse is through education not legislation.” Discuss.
Posted on January 4, 2012
Has law ever been successful in stopping people from abusing drugs? Drug abuse, seen among the youths, is a serious problem even in developed countries just because it cannot be prevented by means of legal procedure. Education, on the other hand, gives us light, sight and insight and hence makes us aware of the health hazards caused by the abuse of drugs. Since education is the path shower to healthy life, it directs people for a drug free life. It makes us understand that drug costs health, wealth and time. Education, therefore, is the only measure to prevent drug abuse.
Education creates awareness among the people. It explains what drug actually is. It provides knowledge about the bad consequences of drug abuse. One knows that drug abuse can cost health and property. Education makes us aware that drugs directly affect our nervous system and its excessive use can make person unconscious or even lead to the death of the person. It affects the normal functioning of our various organs such as brain, kidneys, heart and so on. The use of drugs through injection can transmit HIV among the drug users which will drive the death even nearer. Furthermore, drugs are very expensive. One needs to spend a lot of money to buy them. Education makes us acquainted with the knowledge of all these harmful effects of drug abuse in right time. Thus, it makes people aware of such a harmful habit.
Education makes us decisive. One of the main causes of admitting to drug addiction is peer pressure and pushers’ force to use drugs. If one cannot take right decision in such moments his life is pushed into hell. Education is such a light that makes a person far-sighted. A far-sighted person takes care of aspects like what are the benefits and drawbacks of a substance. So, when it comes to drug, he says “No” promptly to drugs. He is aware that drug only gives us temporary pleasure which is incomparable with the permanent happiness that one gets from being healthy. Therefore, education provides a right direction at required moments.
Education develops morality in people. It makes people self-disciplined. It teaches us social rules and our duty towards society. It makes us feel responsible and abide us within the boundary of social rules and responsibilities. People, who are educated, are therefore self-disciplined and self-controlled. Such people understand that drug abuse is illegal as well as harmful to health. Then, they do not use drugs in any circumstances. They, also advise others not to use drugs due to peer pressure or reasons whatsoever. Thus, they create awareness about drug abuse and help others to be responsible, well socialized and well mannered. In this way, education helps to prevent the drug abuse.
In contrast to education, law may punish the criminals but cannot stop them from committing the crimes. Law does not guide people in their every activity as education does. Law can create fear in people but cannot remove sorrow and anxiety. The people’s fear fades when they are angry and anxious. So, despite fear of punishment, people commit crimes. Same is the case with drug abuse. Law can neither show us an alternative path nor can resolve our problem. It cannot give a way out from difficult situations. Legislation therefore, is inappropriate and ineffective in stopping people from doing wrong deeds though it may be implemented strictly. For example, there are strict laws and orders in the USA but most terrific crimes are committed there. Drug abuse is also a serious problem there. Thus, we can conclude that legislation cannot prevent drug abuse.
Human beings cannot be tied to something like domestic animals to a rope, in order to stop them from committing crime. Physical implementation of law can never stop drug abuse. To check such activities man should be bound by the power of wisdom. He should feel from his heart that he should not use harmful things like drugs. Then only, he can keep himself away from drugs. Therefore, education proves to be a powerful weapon to prevent and control drug abuse.