Running Head: LEGALIZING DRUGS

LEGALIZING DRUGS
Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
Date:

LEGALIZING DRUGS

Al Capone the worlds most infamous criminal is remembered for illegal dealings and
organized crime. After the prohibition of alcohol in the USA in the 1920s, he took over the
illegal distribution of liquor in Chicago (Bushak, 2014). He succeeded to a great extent by raking
in close to $60 Million (Bushak, 2014). The success is attributed to his viciousness against rival
gangs. This kind of rivalry is synonymous with drug-related wars around the world, especially in
Central America. The drug menace is a major societal issue that continues to affect dozens of
countries globally. Lots of laws meant to curb drug trafficking and abuse have been put in place
both at the national and international levels yet it seems to be having no end in sight.
Legalization is indeed a solution that needs to be comprehensively deliberated on at all levels so
as to find the best model.
Undeniably, the drug trade has affected Central American countries immensely, almost
crippling their economies. The drug war has been on for over two decades, yet drugs are still
readily available. The appetite for drugs in the USA is a major contributing factor to the
persistence of the trade (Osorio, 2015). It is easier for high school students to access marijuana
than it is to get a beer. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, about 11 percent of 8th
graders used marijuana in 2014 and approximately 35 percent of 12th graders used it in the same
year (Cachanosky, Zelaya and Block, 2013). This is a worrying trend, and a solution needs to be
found as soon. The usage rate seems to be rising significantly. In a bid to salvage the Central
American nations as well as protect the USA populace, legalizing could be the long overlooked
solution. Looking at Al Capone's replica it can be compared to what is happening in Mexico,
Colombia, and Honduras. Legalizing will be instrumental in regulation since research will be
heightened.

LEGALIZING DRUGS
Alcohol and tobacco are no better than marijuana or cocaine. Because these drugs are
illegal, they continue to thrive in the underworld. When Alcohol was prohibited in the USA in
the 1920's, consumption of liquor according to research escalated. This is the case with the
illegal drugs. The model used in the legalization of liquor and cigarettes needs to be tried out
with the drugs, and this may be the much-needed solution

LEGALIZING DRUGS
References
Bushak, L. (2014). Legalize It: World Leaders Propose Legalization To End War On Drugs.
Medical Daily. Retrieved 11 December 2015, from
http://www.medicaldaily.com/legalize-it-legalization-answer-war-drugs-world-leadersrelease-proposal-end-violence-302220
Cachanosky, I., Zelaya, V., & Block, W. (2013). Drug Legalization: Rescuing Central America
from the Claws of Crime. Journal of Jurisprudence, 21 (1), 9-16.
Osorio,J. (2015). The Contagion of Drug Violence Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Mexican
War on Drugs. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 59 (8), 1348-1376.