Legalization of drugs in college town refers to the action of making drugs such as marijuana that were previously illegal permissible by law. Therefore, decriminalization of drugs in college town would make harmful, psychoactive as well as addictive substances not only available but also convenient and marketable, consequently, expanding drug use among college students. Generally, over the years the issue of drug decriminalization has been one of the multifaceted issues that has sparked contentious debates in not only the public arena but also among researchers, political leaders, policy makers, as well as health officials.
While decriminalization of drugs is opposed by a vast majority of Americans, proponents of drug legalization among them young adults and advocacy groups such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law, Drug Policy Foundation
as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, argue for the outright legalization of drugs primarily under the guise of harm reduction, medicalization, as well as controlled legalization through taxation. Despite the proponents’ arguments, this paper calls for the decriminalization of drugs particularly marijuana and alcohol in college town owing to their numerous adverse effects on the users. Therefore, this explores or rather examines some of the arguments against drug legalization by college town, arguments for; as well as their counterarguments.
Arguments Against Legalization of Drugs by College Town
Health Complications
Perhaps one of the major reasons why college towns should not legalize both marijuana and alcohol consumptions is due health complications that arise from their use. Concerning this, there are numerous health problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption, some of the long-term effects include digestive problems, liver disease, heart disease, Pancreatitis, immune system dysfunction, Osteoporosis. and high blood pressure. Other health conditions associated with excessive consumption of alcohol include cancer of the mouth, liver, colon, and breast and mental problems such as anxiety and depression (Walters, 42).
On the other hand, some of the health complications associated with use of marijuana include hallucinations, risk of developing psychosis, delusions, a higher risk of lung infections, lung cancer, chronic coughs and phlegm production, altered senses; hence, distorted perception, loss of coordination, as well as increased heart rate among other health effects (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention). Therefore, given the adverse health effects of both marijuana and alcohol use, these drugs should not be legalized, since they not only cause serious health complications but also results high dropout rates among students, and poor performance due to poor class attendance due to sick days. Moreover, use of these drugs also places a financial burden on not only the parents but also on the US taxpayers due to healthcare associated costs.
Learning Associated Problems
College towns should not legalize drug use mainly marijuana and alcohol consumption due to the fact that, these drugs affect student’s ability to learn. Concerning this, according to research, marijuana use affects the human brain especially parts of the brain that are primarily responsible for memory, learning, problem solving, as well as attention, generally, marijuana affects how the human brain builds connections; thus between the areas required for these functions (Volkow, Baler, " Compton). Consequently, people that abuse marijuana end up having reduced learning, attention and memory functions, moreover, it also leads to difficulty in thinking and problem-solving all of which attribute to poor performance among students in higher education institutions such as colleges and universities (Volkow, Baler, " Compton). Like in the case of marijuana, alcohol abuse also causes learning as well as memory problems such as dementia, in addition, alcohol also causes mental health problems including anxiety and depression all of which lead to poor performance in academics (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention). Therefore, legalization of these drugs affects the overall US economy as the young and innovative future generations become incapacitated, consequently, college towns should not legalize drugs.
Road Fatalities
One of the major reasons why college town should not legalize drugs mainly alcohol and marijuana consumption is based on the fact that these drugs are attributed with the high number of drug-related traffic fatalities among college students. Concerning this, marijuana and alcohol consumption mostly among college students continues to emerge as one of the most serious public health problems facing college campuses, the surrounding communities as well as the nation. Generally, young people are to a great extent over-represented in drug-related driving accidents whereby, they account for more than 28% of all the alcohol-related accidents (Hanson). In relation to this, according to statistics, approximately 3 million young adults drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol while more than 1800 college students; thus between 18 and 24 die annually as a result of alcohol-related unintentional injuries while many more escape with serious and minor injuries (Drinking and Driving in College).
With regard to Marijuana, research indicates that young adults under the influence of marijuana tend to have more than 4 times the crash risk when a comparison is made to those that had never smoked marijuana (Bates, Davey, " Watson, et al.). Generally, both alcohol and the ingredient termed as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana, tend to cause accidents among young adults by decreasing their reaction time, reduction in both attention/concentration and cognitive capacities resulting in impaired judgment of distance, time and decreased coordination, moreover, they also induce aggression, high-risk taking behaviors such as high speed driving and increased drowsiness (Martin, Viallon, " Gadegbeku, et al.). Therefore, given the fact that many young adults are inclined to drive under the influence of alcohol and marijuana it is important for college towns not to legalize drugs to minimize accident related deaths and injuries, since legalizing these drugs only creates new consumers as opposed to rescuing current ones.
Addiction and Crime
Another major problem associated with marijuana and alcohol abuse is addition, concerning this, research indicates that one in four marijuana users become addicted. Apart from health complications, addiction to marijuana and alcohol also termed as alcoholism also promotes criminal activities (Trevor, Bennett, " Holloway, 11). This is because, due to impaired judgment and aggression many alcoholics and marijuana users are prone to violent behavior which in most instances results to murder, rape, property damage, intimate partner violence as well as assault. Marijuana and alcohol abuse also incapacitates young users especially women making them easy and vulnerable targets of sexual assault; over the year, rape cases in colleges and universities has seen a tremendous increase and alcohol consumption by either the assailant, victim or both is attributed for 90% of these cases, and 95% for other violent crimes (The National Council On Alcoholism and Drug Dependence). In addition, since money is required to maintain addictions among the young people; most of whom are unable to hold jobs, this results in rise in robberies and prostitution cases in order for users to fund their drug habits (Trevor, Bennett, " Holloway, 11). Consequently, in order to prevent upsurge in the rate of drug-related crimes it is essential for college towns to criminalize marijuana and alcohol consumption.
Arguments for Legalization of Drugs by College Town
Economic Boost
Perhaps one of the major arguments for legalization of drugs is due to the fact that controlled legalization through taxation would allow the US government to generate huge amounts of revenues from the sale of drugs such as marijuana (Drug Watch International). Therefore, legalization of alcohol and marijuana in college towns would boost the country’s economy as young adults mainly those in colleges and campuses are the largest consumer group of modern-day illegal drugs. Moreover, legalization of drugs like marijuana would also create more employment opportunities for not only young adults but also people in the community as many would venture in the growth and sale of these drugs; which would in, turn, generate more revenue in terms of taxes for the nation.
Counterargument-While it is true that legalizing marijuana and alcohol consumption in college towns would be a major boost in the US economy, however, the overall economic consequences associated with its legalization are far worse. Concerning this, legalization of marijuana and alcohol among college towns would mean more people suffering from health complications associated with these drugs, consequently, this ultimately results in increased health costs most of which are born by the taxpayers; hence, creating burden on taxpayers. Legalization of marijuana for recreational use as well as alcohol abuse would also result in more fatal accidents among the young people, which would also result in increased health costs.
Medicinal benefits
The proponents or rather the advocates of decriminalization of drugs argue that drugs such as marijuana are important for relieving chronic pain mainly among people with illnesses such cancer, relaxation, as well as for sleep purposes, among other benefits. Moreover, they also argue that controlled consumption of alcohol also has health benefits such as reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and getting colds.
Counterargument-
while this might be true, there are numerous adverse effects associated with marijuana use such as psychosis, delusions, lung cancer, chronic coughs and phlegm production are far worse and costlier for the taxpayers. Moreover, there are many adverse effects associated with alcohol consumptions which include liver disease, cancers, digestive diseases, and pancreatitis. Therefore, since there exists other alternative medications with less adverse effects it is crucial for college towns to criminalize marijuana and alcohol abuse.
In conclusion given the adverse effects associated with alcohol abuse as well as marijuana use which include development of health related problems, addiction and crime, increased in road accidents as we’ll as learning-related problems among students, it is critical for college towns to decriminalize drugs.
Works Cited
Bates, L., Davey, J., Watson, B. et al., “Factors Contributing to Crashes Among Young Drivers”. National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2014). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4117653/
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention “Marijuana: How Can It Affect Your Health?”. CDC.org., (2018). https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects.html
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. “Fact Sheets - Alcohol Use and Your Health”. CDC.org., (2018). https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
“Drinking and Driving in College”. (2011). https://drinkinganddrivingincollege.weebly.com/factsstatistics.html
Drug Watch International. “Against Legalization or Decriminalization of Drugs”. Drug Watch.org., (1994). http://www.drugwatch.org/resources/publications/position-statements-and-resolutions/163-against-legalization-or-decriminalization-of-drugs.html
Hanson, D. “Young Drivers " Alcohol”. Alcohol Problems " Solutions (n.d.). https://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/YoungDriversAndAlcohol.html
Martin, J. l., Viallon, V., " Gadegbeku, B. et al. “Cannabis, alcohol and fatal road accidents”. National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2017). 10.1371/journal.pone.0187320
The National Council On Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. “Alcohol, Drugs and Crime”. NCADD.org., (2015). https://www.ncadd.org/about-addiction/alcohol-drugs-and-crime
Trevor, Bennett, " Holloway, et al. “Understanding Drugs, Alcohol and Crime”. McGraw-Hill Education, (2005). Pp. 180
Volkow, N., Baler, R., " Compton, W. et al. “Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use”. National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2016). 10.1056/NEJMra1402309
Walters, G. “Drugs, Crime, and Their Relationship: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy”. ones " Bartlett Publishers, (2013). Pp. 488.
