Hallucinogens, like a marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are should be banned?

Saturday, Japanese famous actress, NORIKO SAKAI was arrested for the suspicion that she have had and used illegally drugs, turning herself in the police station. This woman were fleeing from the police chasing her, and television and mass media are covering this case widely and closely because she is one of the most famous actress in Japan. This news came as a shock nationwide.

Today, I would like to focus on whether or not hallucinogens, like a marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are should be banned. Why these drugs are illegal even if it is possible for those who suffer from depression or psychological pressure to mitigate that symptom by taking these pills? And is it their right to take whatever drugs they want?

Under the current law, these drugs that make people hallucinate are widely banned in Japan except a few uses for medical treatments. I support this law and it have to severely punish those who take it, no matter what reasons they may have. But, we have to reinforce this law to punish criminals more severely.

To begin, there is high possibility that people who are addicted to these hallucinogenic drugs break the law once more even if they are arrested and regret what they did. It is because these drugs can lead to physical dependence. They can not resist tempt to take drugs and have a high recidivism rate.

Second, by illegally selling these drugs criminal gangs earn their money. It is clear that a lot of money they obtain come from drug trafficking business. If there is demand, supply will not be reduced. Demand creates supply, and supply creates demand. This law allows those addicted to illegal drugs to abuse them again and those engage in drug trafficking to run that business. This situation obviously gives them more power and fund, creating the negative cycle.

Finally, the security of citizens is posed to a lot of danger if illegal drug come to be widespread among people who seem to be good citizens. These drugs becoming prevalent, the feeling of danger of illegal drugs would be vanished, many people, even “famous actress” would not come to consider it dangerous. On the country, they may even come to take it “necessary”.

Therefore, some people may say it is unnecessary and restrict the personel right, but we have to rethink about the current law regulating drugs. It was established too long ago. Speaking generally, we need to change a law as time changes. I think it is high time to reconsider this law, and it should be more severe than before. And it is a few chances to amend it when a lot of public attention is focused on this issue.

Takenaka