Response to "Drugs" by Gore Vidal

 

I do not necessarily agree with Vidal's assumption that people with easy access to drugs pose no threat to their neighbors. It seems that anyone engaging in regular usage of addictive drugs inevitably suffers from erratic side effects, which could lead to unpredictable and in some cases, possibly dangerous behavior. Even in the case of marijuana, which is not physically addictive, psychological addiction can arise causing less detrimental, but similar consequences as well. It is undeniable that people who periodically use drugs would be more likely to exert negative influence on those around them, whether the drugs are officially legalized or not. With that said however, I believe that simplified access to drugs would lessen the potential danger of these individuals to their neighbors. Readily available drugs would take the desperation and forced secrecy out of the illegal drug- obtaining process and thus, addicts would not be forced to resort to drastic measures as a result of the stress of trying to safely buy their goods. The psychological and physical dependence of addicts causes them to resort to crazy measures to maintain or regain their high and with the assurance of available drugs, these would not be necessary. Overall, though, relying on past crime rates alone, it is clear that drug users exert negative influence because of the drugs themselves, a trend that would most likely not change with any form of legalization.