An interesting report issued by the AP (http://tiny.cc/gpaam ) addresses recent findings that drug-related deaths are starting to surmount traffic-related deaths in 16 states. Although it was noted that driving is steadily becoming safer in the U.S., it was also observed that there has been an increasing consumption of legally prescribed drugs.
Although inaccurate diagnoses or the redistribution of prescribed drugs may qualify for illegal or immoral activity, the rising consumption of “legally-sanctioned” drugs poses an interesting question regarding the relation between the law and drug consumption. While the pros and cons of legalization have been debated since the rise of counter-culture in the 60s, these appalling findings should prompt America to examine this relationship a bit more closely. It is surprising that the media has not paid much attention to the question of prescription-drug consumption, given the excessive attention paid to the plight of America’s beloved Michael Jackson, not to mention Ledger’s tragic end.
It is hard to deny that consuming prescribed medication is a much easier route to take than to become involved in the illegal drug trade. But what does this imply about drug policy? When examining the high consumption of illicit drugs, one can argue that increased regulation won’t really solve the problem. But perhaps prescription drug-use may be a result of this enforcement. How would legalizing illicit drugs impact the consumption of prescription drugs? Many people pose legalization as a solution to problems such as America’s high rates of drug-related crimes. However, the high use of legally-sanctioned drugs also shows us that legal or illegal, drug use is a problem in America.
One may conclude that America’s drug problem should be treated as a social issue and not just a legal issue. However, this avoids the question of the efficiency of America’s legal structure. Our neighbors across the border would certainly agree that our current drug laws must be re-examined, as they have experienced more deaths than our troops in Iraq have in efforts to eliminate their illicit drug trade. And how did illicit drug trafficking in Mexico arise? The simple laws of supply and demand, coupled with America’s extra-legal drug market. So many people die from drugs in so many ways, yet we repeatedly avoid the question even though the issue of prescription drug-use is not so far removed from the all-pervasive question of health care policy.
Let’s give credit where it’s due. “Nationally, the death rate from traffic accidents fell by about 6.5 percent from 1999 through 2006 — from 15.3 deaths per 100,000 people to 14.3 per 100,000.” So, even if there was no change in rates of drug fatalities, they would be increasing relative to traffic fatalities. Rather than blame Mexico for giving us drugs, we should blame Japan for giving us safer cars.
I did mention that “Although it was noted that driving is steadily becoming safer in the U.S., it was also observed that there has been an increasing consumption of legally prescribed drugs.”
If this is a question of “due credit,” then we must remember that a provider cannot exist without there being a market and a consumer. Mexico only began to provide more drugs to the U.S. after tighter security was placed on the beaches of Florida to reduce incoming drugs from Colombia.
Chomsky’s thoughts on the War on Drugs:
http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/20020208.htm
The Netherlands still spends 75% more money on drug enforcement policies after legalization. There’s also a lot more deaths related to drug use and impairment.
Really the only reason to legalize drugs is to give the government a monopoly on vice as well as violence.
You are correct in saying that America’s drug problem should be treated as a social issue, especially when it comes to prescription drugs. The U.S. has become a nation of Quick Fixes and uses prescrition drugs as a “bandaid” to solve its citizens problems. The result is a generation of users/abusers of Oxycontin, Vicodin Ritalin and the like. It’s time to better regulate the use of these medications.
Great thoughts posted here and I like your take on things. One thing I have witnessed is what we think about is exactly what we receive. We create our own reality.