Many efforts have been made to battle the growing issue with drug trafficking and substance abuse, including drug legalization. But do people really see how this legalization could affect people in positions that deal with public safety? Not to say that those in these various types of positions are narcotics users, but all situations have to be considered. A person's judgment, in a position where they carry a weapon, could be significantly altered or impaired after the use of certain drugs. Other positions include those that would greatly affect the public's safety, like transportation drivers or pilots. Many could not realize that a drug, one like marijuana, could stay in a person's system up to 24 hours after inhalation and could affect their judgment. Also, what message are we sending to the younger generation; that it is okay to use drugs? And will this just simplify their gaining access to drugs, when they could now be kept in the home by a parent or of-age sibling?

Many other questions should be taken into consideration before the legalization of drugs becomes a possibility.

Charity Harris

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