Soft drugs should be decriminalized

Some years ago a debate over the thorny question of legalising soft drugs engendered a decision to adjust the law and some European countries decriminalised marijuana in certain amounts. Legalising soft drugs remains a sticking point in many countries and it remains to be seen whether other governments will follow suit. Conservatives claim that legalising soft drugs encourages the abuse of narcotics and a rise in number of addicts. Such a hypothesis stems from the belief that if those who are prone to addictions are allowed to take drugs legally, their craving for mounting doses will get out of hand. However, looking at the countries which have already legalised soft drugs, we should put such an argument to rest. In Holland, for instance, there is no indication that drug abuse is on the increase or that people not involved in drugs before decriminalisation have become addicts. Although anti-drug lobbists have a point that soft drugs may turn out to be addictive, there are several advantages of legalisation that are more influential than this one concern. Therefore, soft drugs should be decriminalised as it would help the battle against black market depriving pushers of their untaxed income, benefit the state which would receive money from hitherto tax-free transactions and consequently dishearten those who believe that the forbidden fruit is the sweetest from experiments with drugs.
To begin with, those who are against legalizing soft drugs assert that decriminalization heralds nothing but trouble. This contention is based solely on subjective opinions and it does not take into account the fact that there is a large group of people who illegally earn money dispiriting those citizens who legitimately bring home the bacon every day. Therefore, legalisation of soft drugs may prove one of the best crackdowns on the undue practices of peddlers. Due to the fact that soft drugs are illegal but still in demand, black market is rampant and drug trafficking is a gravy train. As goods from contraband are not liable to taxation, smugglers and dealers do not pay taxes. Clearly, derogatory activities of those who feed the black market can be fought by decriminalising soft drugs.
Apart from the aforementioned argument pertaining to tackling the crime, opponents also claim that the legalisation of soft drugs would deprive of the morals especially those citizens who, being in their formative years, should be exposed to the best models. This viewpoint stems from the short-sighted vision on the part of conservatives who do not take into account the economic dimension of the problem regarding the huge losses that most states face where the black market is rife. Soft drugs should be legalised, as it would profit governments in a way that it would bring more money by taxing hitherto tax-free activities and it would enhance the image of the state which has managed to fight the illegal practices. Due to the multitude of illegal transactions which should be taxed, states lose zillions and many wrongdoers grow rich which consequently demoralizes the man in the street who make their living legally. Clearly, the benefit governments would gain is be invaluable.
Finally, those who disagree with the proposal to legalise soft drugs assiduously assert us that decriminalisation will augment the number of addicts as well as those who resort take drugs on a less regular basis. Whilst the superficial logic of such a train of thought may contain a grain of truth, it denies certain indisputable facts that in the countries where marijuana has been legalised, no indication of the worsening of the problem of addiction nor of the increased number of people taking drugs has been observed. By contrast, it is common knowledge that these are yooouuungsters whose sole incentive to experience marijuana is the desire to feel the lure of what is under the table that constitute a great part of those who resort to drugs. Therefore, soft drugs should be legalized as it stands a great chance of discouraging those who take delight in illegal pastimes.
To sum up, it has been established that legalising soft drugs would have several crucial advantages. Although those who disagree maintain that legalising soft drugs fosters drug use and addiction, it may have a number of benefits not only for whole states but also for individual citizens. Therefore, soft drugs should be legalised, as it would help the governments to challenge the drug-related crimes and discourage those youngsters in their formative years, who like indulging in forbidden activities. Some people could say that legalisation of soft drugs is tantamount to the society going off the rails, but probably it is just one of the next stages of fighting hypocrisy and admitting that a great number of people actually do take drugs. Moreover, it stands to reason that if something is made illegal it becomes less desired.