This was also written as a response to my friend Niyi Adeyemi's note: "Let's Legalize Drugs"..Read more: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=433234763576
But one issue that keeps nagging at my mind is if we are not unconsciously measuring & generalizing drug damage to that done by cigarettes and marijuana and alcohol.Take it or leave it...the damage done by these drugs to its consumers is child's play when juxtaposed with that done by Cocaine, heroine & harder drugs.
While agreeing to the concept of the freedom of the adult to choose, and also the concept of relative morality based on the Principle of individual differences as highlighted in various arguments, we must also not forget that the state was created to protect the collective security of its citizens, either from self or others.
No responsible govt will allow substances that are known to wreck tremendous havoc on its consumers to be a free-for-all. We have seen a Micheal Jackson weep for Whitney Houston when she broke down on stage...a direct impact of hard drugs, we have seen the ruin to Brenda Fassi and, many many more others. Hard drugs is no child's play bro, and I think it will be ridiculous for us to attempt to under-estimate its negative impact on people. In-fact, it is laughable to compare crack with cigarettes...or alcohol...or even Marijuana for that matter!!!
While the war against drugs has come with its own drawbacks, we must also not be so quick to rush into calling for legalizing these substances. We have to approach this issue from a holistic perspective. It is a plain fact that the illegality of drugs has contributed to a considerable reduction in its consumption. The records are there for anyone familiar with statistical data in psychology.
It is a very plausible argument to push for legalizing marijuana & less harder substances, at least for small amounts & personal use. This is because as we have all seen, the consequences of the attempt at prohibiting these drugs is not worth the damage done by the substance.
But to use this as a basis for pushing for selling cocaine & other cracks off the shelve? That might be biting more than we can chew...even a closer look at the statement by former Mexican President Vicente Fox in the link posted above dwelled more on marijuana & the likes. He was a little conservative on calling out-rightly for the legalizing of cocaine!!! I'm sure any right thinking government will know better!!!
Finally, we have been talking about revenue and all, it is true that from a revenue perspective, countries can do a lot of good to their economy with these drug-generated billions, but please, spare Africa more revenue problems. The problem oil has caused to us, thanks to our leadership, has not been resolved. How much more legalizing drug-peddling and fueling corruption-infested leaders' ego to siphon more billions from drug racketeering...that's a recipe for disaster!!!
