Moral Analysis of Drug Addiction
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The creation of a national approach to drug policy has become as much of a controversy as drugs themselves. There is no doubt that the illicit use of controlled substances in the United States represents a significant problem and cause for concern. Drug abuse permeates all layers of American society, "cutting across income, age, gender, educational, racial, and class barriers" (Nicholson 280). Because of significant increases in the sale, possession and use of drugs in the U.S., a wave of harsher punishment through legislation increased the severity of criminal sanctions for drug users. Such sanctions have created moral controversy over those who favor rehabilitation rather than criminal sanctions against drug users. Lynch and Blotner (5) argues that most "control laws" are not aimed at drugs, but are aimed at protection a set of "moral standards" which reject drugs as contributing to the emotional, physical and psychological ill health of those who use them. Considering both President George W. Bush (cocaine) and his predecessor, President William J. Clinton (marijuana), both admitted to using drugs shows the extend of drug use in American society on all levels. This analysis will discuss the moral issues and conflict between those who view drug use as requiring harsh criminal sanctions and those who favor rehabilitation as the best means of resolving this social and moral dilemma.
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. A major component of autonomy is treating people with respect and dignity and allowing them to make decision for themselves, with respect to their own lives. These moral principles will be used to measure the morality involved in a variety of perspectives on the rehabilitation versus criminal sanctions for addiction issue.
Different Perspectives
Those who believe imposing harsh criminal sanctions on addicts for drug use and possession is immoral often believe such actions fail to recognize the pain caused by such actions. Addicts already suffer from their addiction, what many view as a health and psychological issue, and treating them as criminals is a complete violation of autonomy or treatment of individuals with dignity and respect. Throwing the addicted in prison creates more pain and more costs to society in addition to being a violation of the principle of autonomy. As Allem, Ford-Roegner, and Samuels (8) note, "The afflicted, who suffer from addiction and use disorders, and the affected, who suffer as family members and friends of the afflicted, are stigmatized and subjected to brutal, lifelong discrimination" due to incarceration which impacts them on a social, occupational, and personal level.
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Approximate Word count = 2237
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)
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