The Pros And Cons Of Decriminalization

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Decriminalization is defined as: elimination of criminal penalties or removal of legal restrictions against. It is a topic in relation to drugs and Canada has still not come to a conclusion on the issue. As stated in the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) report from 2010, Canada is one of the world’s primary source countries for illicitly manufactured synthetic drugs, particularly MDMA (“ecstasy”). Certain individuals argue that if all drugs are legalized, our society will be safer and drugs will be clean which will reduce the number of overdoses and deaths due to laced drugs being consumed. In the article The Surprising Truth about Heroin and Addiction by Jacob Sullum, it is stated that “… drugs such as nicotine and cocaine [are] not truly addictive; they [are] merely habituating”. The question should not be “Should Canada Legalize all Drugs?” it should be “Which Drugs Should Canada Legalize?” The pros and cons must be considered and nothing is always just black and white when it comes to such unpredictable matters. Alcohol was illegal back in 1920 and the law was repealed in 1933. It takes time to consider all possibilities with legalizing something and is not taken lightly with the government or law enforcement. People also need to take into consideration the addictiveness of each substance and if making that legal will create a greater problem than they currently have. All drugs should not be legal in Canada but certain ones should be considered. The Canadian government and law enforcement should look at each drug individually instead of putting them under one canopy. This will ensure that each drug is carefully and strategically researched in order to make an accurate decision on the legalization of the particular substance. Pick and choose wisely Canada, because certain drugs should be left

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