Abuse of drugs not criminally punished?

Question by This is my awesome nickname ζ: Abuse of drugs not criminally punished?
I have to debate this topic for class- The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as public health, not of criminal justice.

I’ve already written my Negative (con) argument, but I’m having trouble with the affirmative (pro) side.

Would it work if i said that the abuse of drugs was a psychological issue, and to increase the well-being of society and promote societal welfare, we needed to seek treatment for those people and not punish them, because punishing them wouldn’t get rid of the problem?

do you agree though, that the abuse of drugs is a psychological issue?

Best answer:

Answer by Eustuff
The Publc Health and criminal justice agencies are forming closer ties than ever these days. They use the same SSN to track “persons” and jails are becoming a place to get meds.

Unfortunately, since police have less to do because crime is down, they usually process persons as criminals then give them methadone, jail house ministries, and other meds in custody.

It doubles the debt created by law enforcement, but they don’t have to pay. Your grandchildren will have to.

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