Pubdate: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 Source: GSU Signal, The (GA Edu) Copyright: 2009 The GSU Signal Contact: http://www.gsusignal.com/letters/ Website: http://www.gsusignal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1622 Author: Gaurav Bhatia Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) TO LEGALIZE OR NOT TO LEGALIZE, THAT IS THE QUESTION There have been many heated debates regarding the legalization of prostitution and drugs like cocaine and marijuana. Some people believe that prostitutes and drug dealers should be put behind bars, while other people argue that their activities should be regulated, but not against the law. These industries are unregulated markets that bring in a lot of revenue, but have resulted in people being put in prison, as they are considered illegal businesses. So what are the ramifications of legalizing drugs and prostitution? Let's take a stroll down memory lane. Back in 1919 the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages was criminalized as a result of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This period, known as Prohibition or the Noble Experiment, lasted until 1933, and there were numerous problems that took place. Despite the fact that the selling and consumption of alcohol was illegal, people actually increased their use of these products. Alcoholic beverages were smuggled through stores called speakeasies, and this period also gave rise to organized crime. Violent crime had increased, particularly among mafia groups, and corruption among law enforcement agencies also increased. Because of this mess, alcohol was eventually legalized again, and afterward the problems associated with Prohibition decreased. So what does this all have to do with drugs such as opium and crystal methane? Well, many of the problems that took place during Prohibition are currently taking place throughout the war on drugs. Many gangs have been at war with each other, and a large number of them have ended up dead. Also, cops have been killed while attempting to apprehend drug dealers. If drugs were legal, then the law could regulate the activities associated with the selling of such products. By no means am I supporting the use of drugs; in fact, my rationale for supporting legalization of these products is because I want to see the problems associated with illegal drugs to decrease. As somebody who neither smokes, drinks, nor takes drugs, I would much rather legalize drugs and see less people taking them than to criminalize these acts and see more people take them while killing or getting killed in the process. I think there should be other methods to prevent people from taking drugs, and the best ways are to improve the economy so that adults are less likely to take drugs and to provide youth groups so that kids don't take drugs. Prostitution is something else that I think should be regulated, not criminalized. A lot of prostitutes are victims of violence from their pimps, and unfortunately, they are the ones that are jailed up instead of the pimps. I believe that the pimps should be arrested, as they are the perpetrators of harmful behavior. In addition, I think the law should be harsher on human trafficking, which is a form of sexual slavery. Unfortunately, many law enforcers would much rather punish the victims than the perpetrators. Also, many young children are victims of human trafficking, and this is a result of the criminalization of prostitution. If this industry was regulated, law enforcers could enforce a minimum age requirement to keep young ones from being in the industry, as well as require prostitutes to take STD tests to ensure that they don't transmit diseases while working. It may sound like I support prostitution, but I am actually against it. I just think that there are better ways to fight it than criminalizing it. In fact, I'd say by criminalizing this industry, it is actually in more demand, and crimes such as rape and human trafficking have increased as a result. Just like with drugs, I would rather legalize these activities and see them reduced than to criminalize them and see them increased. Just some food for thought. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin