Drug Legalisation: An Evaluation of the Impacts on Global Society
The flawed proposition of drug legalisation
Various well funded pressure groups have mounted campaigns to overturn the United Nations Conventions on drugs. These groups claim that society should accept the fact of drugs as a problem that will remain and, therefore, should be managed in a way that would enable millions of people to take advantage of an alleged ‘legal right’ to use drugs of their choice.
Harm Reduction: A Comprehensive Approach
Harm reduction, as defined by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and endorsed by over 200 drug-related, nongovernmental organizations from throughout the world, is an effort primarily to address and prevent the adverse health and social consequences of illicit/harmful drug use, including reducing HIV and other blood-borne infections. The International Narcotics and Control Board has reinforced this concept by stating that within the process of reducing harm “any prophylactic measures should not promote and/or facilitate drug abuse” and condemns facilities “where injecting drug abusers can inject drugs that they have acquired illicitly.”
Student Drug Testing Is Part of the Solution
Student drug testing, as implemented today, applies only to students who voluntarily choose to participate in athletic and extracurricular activities or in some schools seek a permit to park vehicles on school grounds.
Drug use affects cognitive abilities and attention span, making it difficult for the user to learn properly in school.
Why Crude Marijuana is Not Medicine
The controversial topic of “medical marijuana” is surrounded with confusing and contradicting information. Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. (DFAF) has studied the issue thoroughly and is committed to providing the most accurate information based on scientific and medical evidence. DFAF does not believe that crude marijuana, however, can be used safely as medicine.