The Bad

We know that drugs have addictive nature, and drug addicts have strong physical and psychological dependence on the drug they are taking. It is exactly the reason why non-medicinal drug dealers can charge as much as they like for the item which they like, literally because they can.

Addicts that cannot afford to buy drugs sometimes resolve to extreme actions like criminal activities like robbery and steal. On top of that family violence may occur. Because "drugs lower inhibition and impulse control" (Hartney, 2011) so addicts will often be in an unstable mental condition and may beat up people close to them like family members. Even if their head is clear they may still beat up family members and force them to hand over their money so that the addict can buy drugs.

Drug addiction is also a burden to the government, as the government will have to allocate their already scarce resources, both time and money, in enforcing the prohibition of drugs. This socio-political issue has been such a heavy burden that even some politicians in New Zealand, i.e. Dr. Don Brash of Act Party are considering the possibility to withdrawing government resources, such as police force, from prohibition of cannabis. (Young, 2011) Dr. Don Brash's statement does not make taking drugs a right thing. It only proves the point that drug addiction in the country is such a big issue and it is difficult to deal with, even for the government.

Hartney, E. (2011, July 15). Connection between substance use and family violence. Retrieved October 14, 2011, from http://addictions.about.com/od/familyrelationships/a/domesticviolence.htm

Young, A. (2011, September 26). Chasing cannabis users a waste of police, says Brash. Retrieved October 15, 2011, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10754366