Decriminalization of Drug Use and Possession

The stigma around addiction has harmed the road to recovery for many people struggling with drug use. The legal implication of admitting to using drugs convinces many people to struggle alone, without finding help. Decriminalizing addictive substances would benefit our country in many ways. By taking away the fear of getting a criminal record, addicts are able to seek help and recover with the support of trained professionals. They are encouraged to go to rehab and change their lives, rather than throwing them into a jail cell.

Decriminalizing drugs is not the same as making all drugs legal. Drugs would still be illegal, however individuals would not face arrest or jail time after being caught with small amounts of illegal substances. If someone were to have over a ten-day supply of the drug, they would still face criminal charges. This is to ensure drug dealers don’t profit off of the decriminalization of these substances. Rather, they would be connected with support services and offered rehab opportunities. Kim Rabago stated, “I don’t believe in criminalizing, I don’t agree with prison sentences,” when asked her opinion about how our justice system handles illegal substances. 

Money saved from arrests, incarcerations, and prosecutions can be put towards the funding of these support systems. Arresting people on drug offenses is financially draining to our justice system. Projections show up to 100 million dollars in funding within the first year, and 129 million dollars by 2027. Other countries have successfully attempted similar initiatives. For example, Portugal and Switzerland have both successfully decriminalized drugs. Back in 2001, Portugal officially decriminalized all drugs after the country struggled heavily with heroin addictions. Progress has not moved quickly, however over 1,600 people are helped each year. Our country has already begun this process on a small scale. Back in February of this year, 2021, Oregon took the first step and decriminalized small amounts of illegal substances. This monumental change is the first step to getting rid of the stigma around drugs. 

While some individuals hold concerns about drug use becoming more common after the decriminalization, Pete Langle explains it well. “They should be helping users get off drugs through rehab to break the abuse cycle and stop illegal distribution.” Decriminalizing drugs will be a huge change for our country, but a necessary one. People struggling with addiction deserve the support they need to recover, and shaming, arresting, and punishing them for an addiction does the opposite.