The need to decriminalize
Discus about the Evaluate The Effects Of Drug Use.
Should Cannabis be decriminalised across the globe?
The topic of drug use is common across the globe with attracting the attention of both scholars and policymakers. While some people are in favour of the use of certain drugs and even push for their legalisation, others are firmly against the use and legalisation of drugs outside the medical practice. The latter are present drug use as a dangerous phenomenon that can lead to increased incidence of ill health and even death. These disparate ideologies are the reason for conducting this research with a bias against drug use and legalisation, particularly the drug Cannabis sativa popularly known as marijuana.
The use of marijuana and other drugs is continuously increasing around the world, and this paper carries out research to highlight the problems associated with drug use. Further, more nations and states have legalised or are considering legalising certain drugs especially marijuana. As a result, the issues surrounding the use of drugs and the threats posed to both users and non-users and the country at large are bound to increase. It is in the interest of highlighting the possible adverse outcomes of legalising drug use, particularly marijuana, that the current research is conducted. It is expected that the findings of the study will be helpful to those who are looking for information regarding drug use especially policymakers and scholars in social sciences
The research aims to evaluate the effects of drug use. Further, the study seeks to determine whether marijuana should be decriminalised.
The primary objective of the study is to determine cannabis should be decriminalised drug use and its effects. Other specific objectives include:
- To evaluate the prevalence of drug use
- To highlight the effects of drug use
The use of drugs is widespread. A recent study by America’s National Academies of Sciences (2017), reports that there are more than 22.2 million Americans over the age of 12 years who use marijuana. Among them, 4.2 million reported experiencing the symptoms of cannabis use disorder (CUD) (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017). For this research, the use of marijuana or cannabis is considered a problem because of the associated adverse effects such as CUD. According to the 2016 release by the Office for National Statistics, deaths related to drug use increased England and Wales between 1993 and 2015 (Fearn, Vanessa, 2016). The statistics show that in 1993 there were approximately 800 associated deaths rising to 2300 in 2015, in England. In Wales, the numbers show that the incidence raised from 33 to around 170 (See Appendix A). The rising number of deaths is a clear indicator of the need to fight drug use, especially marijuana if the safety of citizens is to be guaranteed.
Effects of drug use
Similarly, there were 3744 reported deaths in England and Wales because of drug poisoning in 2016 (DrugWise, 2017). The number was 2% higher than in 2015 and was the highest ever registered since 1993. The use and dependence on drugs are the leading causes of premature deaths in England and Wales. More than 16% of the reported deaths from drug poisoning represent individuals in their 20s and 30s (Manders, Beth, 2017). There a myriad of drug poisoning substances including both legal and illegal drugs, prescription and over the counter medications.
The effects of drug use are cross-sectional affecting not only the user but also their family and the community. The effects are not only felt when a loved one dies from drug-related conditions but also when one is alive but out of reach, for instance, when a loved one is imprisoned for the crime. The use of drugs is associated with criminal activities (Barnard, 2007). The United States statistics by NCADD show that 80% of prison inmates are users of alcohol and other drugs, of whom, fifty percent are clinically addicted; more, nearly 60% test positive for illegal drugs upon arrest (National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 2017). There is need to present evidence against drug use in the wake of cannabis legalisation by many several countries and states. These countries include North Korea, Uruguay, Jamaica, Portugal, Spain, Peru, and Canada, among others (See Appendix B) (Kindland, 2018). On the contrary countries like China have illegalised marijuana and have very strict executions for those found using drugs. However, China is considered to be a top exporter of marijuana.
The current state of cannabis legality needs to be changed because of the associated outcomes, that is, increased illness, mortality, and crime rates. Marijuana is particularly addictive to some people, and its legalisation may result in adverse consequences for a country. Consider the case of Amsterdam which has become a tourist destination for many marijuana enthusiasts. Despite the increased revenue from tourism, Amsterdam citizens are worried about their children getting exposed to marijuana at an early stage in life, citing that it can affect healthy growth and development. Moreover, areas, where cannabis is sold in the Amsterdam, are reported to be hotspots for criminal gangs thereby opposing the hypothesis that the legalisation of drugs can lead to a reduction in the crime rates (Hawkins, 2014).
The methodology describes the research framework. The choice of the method to be used in the research was informed by the Research Onion as developed by Mark Saunders (see Appendix C) (Saunders et al., 2015). The study followed the philosophy of positivism to explain the drug use phenomenon and used a deductive approach to describe the relationship between drugs and crime. The use of the deductive approach allowed the researchers to measure the variables quantitatively and to ensure that the study is replicable and that the findings are generalizable. The study used a survey design with a mixed method employing both quantitative and qualitative techniques. First, the survey was conducted to collect quantitative data and was followed by a one-on-one interview to collect qualitative data. A structured questionnaire was used in the survey a structured allowing the researcher to obtain specific data that is of relevance to the study with minimal expenditure of money, time, and effort. Unstructured questions were used to guide the interview. Unstructured interviews allow both the respondent and the researcher to control the discussion from the beginning to the end. Six survey questionnaires were sent out, but only four of them were completed and returned to the researcher. These four questionnaires were then edited by the researcher for completeness and consistency before. The interview involved three respondents who chosen using selective sampling. Selective allowed the researcher to select the participants for the study based on merit (Kothari, 2004).
Methodology
The study used a descriptive research design which is a scientific method involving the collection and analysis of data to determine the current status of a given phenomenon (Kothari, 2004). The descriptive research employs survey design to collect and analyse data, in fact-finding inquiries. The primary purpose is to describe the situation as is in the present. Therefore, the researcher is not able to control or manipulate the variables, and the study can only report what has happened or is happening.
The survey approach was structured and advantageous because:
- It is easily understood by the respondent
- It gives exact results and can be analysed and evaluated with much ease
- Most respondents find it likeable, and it avoids repeated questions and answers
- It has a high level of response and is a speedy way of collecting data
On the contrary, a survey approach is not easy to prepare and requires a lot of time. Moreover, respondents are limited in the answers they can give and therefore, it does not encourage creativity which would provide room for unique information regarding the topic.
A qualitative approach investigates non-numeric data or nominal variable. Data is typically in text, phrase or statement form. The research, not online records information given by the respondent but also makes observations within the experience in a post-positivistic inquiry. That is, it follows a quantitative approach regarding design and presentation of findings. The ultimate aim of conducting an interview is to get an in-depth understanding of the problem under study. The data collected in this approach reveals the perception of the respondents, their feelings, attitudes, and belief regarding the question being studied.
Using interview in qualitative research has several advantages including but not limited to:
- providing in-depth data as compared to questionnaire
- prompt response
- avoiding confusion as the researcher is available to clarify questions for the respondents as needed therefore collecting more accurate data
- Allowing researcher to be more flexible in adjusting to the environment. The Researcher is also able to create a rapport with the respondent which develops more trust enabling the researcher to probe for more information
- Allowing respondents of all age groups, and education levels including illiterates to participate efficiently because of the openness that would allow them to use their own words.
On the other hand, one-to-one interviews have several demerits. Interviews are expensive as the researcher may be required to travel to meet the respondent. They are also time-consuming depending on the length of one session. The research needs to have strong interpersonal and communication skills to be able to probe the interviewee efficiently. Moreover, interviews do not guarantee anonymity, hence the interviewee may not respond to sensitive issues. It is important that the interviewer is trained to avoid bias and to be adaptable while recording information accurately without boring the respondent for lack of flow.
The survey and interviews were conducted in the campus. During the survey only four out of six questionnaires were returned. During the interview some respondents could not respond to sensitive concern for fear of victimisation from peers. The research was conducted among peers; this may have impacted the freedom in information delivery.
The research surveyed participants from both genders represented by 50% male and 50% female. The participants were above the age of 18 years ensuring that the ethics of age is observed.
Survey design
All the respondents in the survey indicated that they were aware of the drug, marijuana. However, only 50% of the sample indicated that they had ever used marijuana. Marijuana is used by both males and females in equal measure. It also emerged that it is not easy to determine whether a family member or friend uses marijuana if one has never used the drug because those who indicated that they had never used marijuana also reported that they were not aware of anyone dear to them using marijuana. On the contrary, those who reported using marijuana also indicated that a family or friend in their circle also used weed. It can, therefore, be inferred that family and friend can influence one to indulge in weed. Like in the case of Amsterdam, allowing people to use marijuana freely could lead to early exposure of children to drug use and would increase the incidence of weed users as well as the number of people seeking psychological help.
Only twenty-five present of the respondents were of the idea that cannabis should be legalised while the rest were either not sure or indicated an unequivocal ‘No’. Upon analysis, it emerged that those who stated “yes” or were not sure whether marijuana should be legalised had used marijuana before. Those opposed to its legalisation had never used the drug despite a 100% feedback showing knowledge of the possible effects of cannabis. Fifty present of the respondents also indicated that they had come across literature reporting about the effects of cannabis use including death, overdose, and CUD. The results of using marijuana are multiple including hallucination and more importantly, involvement in the crime. Studies from the UK, Amsterdam and the US have all linked crime and drug use (Barnard, 2007; Ammerman, Ryan, & Adeiman, 2015).
The researcher also wanted to know the perceptions regarding early exposure of children to weed. Twenty-five present of the respondents thought that weed was safe for kids, but 75% were either not sure of the effects or were entirely against the exposure of children to marijuana. Further, the study finds that only 25% feel that weed is linked to the crime. Others were not sure of the possible relationship. Additionally, none of the respondents thought that marijuana was creating problems in their lives yet 50% agreed to the decriminalisation of marijuana the world over. Half of the respondents also shared the idea that legalising weed in light of the events in Amsterdam.
Interview
The current study finds that both men and women use cannabis. A similar research question was posed four years ago by Anthony G. Gordon in Research Gate Question and Answer Forum (2014). Gordon wanted to be known whether cannabis used should be decriminalised (Gordon, 2014). It emerged that different people have unique yet shared perceptions regarding the use of cannabis. The current study indicates that there is a sharp divide between people who would want marijuana to be legalised and those who would want it to be decriminalised. There are better reasons for decriminalising pot, but it is shameful that the most straightforward argument suggests that weed is less harmful compared to alcohol and cigarettes (Bowman, 2017).
Conclusion
Many nations around the world still criminalise and incarcerate decent people for possessing and using drugs. Criminalisation undermines the dignity of the individual involved, their employment, housing opportunities and education. Moreover, many drug users are often the subject of human rights abuse by the state and its jurisdictions. Targeting weed users result in negative impacts on the person, their family and the community. This report aims to inform policymakers and scholars about the effects of marijuana decriminalisation. Decriminalization does not increase the prevalence of drug use, and law enforcement has little impact on mitigation. Instead, ending the criminalisation of drug users can help reduce the harms outline above if effected appropriately. The benefit of decriminalisation is felt not only by the users but by the society at large as it improves the social, economic and health outcomes of the people.
Criminalization of drug users has led to massive economic losses as governments spend significant amounts of budgets to tackle drug use. The outcome has always been adverse as criminalisation increases the vulnerability of populations to disease epidemics such as HIV. Further, it has often resulted in the abuse of human right in the name of fighting drugs through actions such as arbitrary detention and restriction to access to care services. In recent decades some developed countries and several United Nations Agencies have advocated for the decriminalisation of drug use and possession. Example of nations which have advocated for the decriminalisation of drugs includes Portugal, Canada, the US, Netherlands, and Spain, among others. High-profile organisations supporting for decriminalisation include the World Health Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNDP.
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