In your opinion, are drugs or alcohol most damaging to our population? Why? How would you address these issues if you were a policy maker in this country?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

will vary (again, this is designed to prompt debate and discussion; there is no right answer).
• Alcohol has likely resulted in more carnage on the highways, domestic violence and divorce, child abuse, health-related expenses, and premature death than any other substance.
• Some may argue it is hypocritical to outlaw simple drug use as long as alcohol is legal. What is the solution? Go back to Prohibition or liberalize our views of drugs? Perhaps we should punish damaging behaviors which are influenced by alcohol or drugs more severely than otherwise, but not punish simple possession and use. But how is this rationalized? If use is legal, someone must supply the drugs and that would remain illegal. These are difficult issues.
• Some may point out that the data on alcohol related crimes is more extensive than for other drugs, since it is legal to drink. Drugs are kept underground. Thus, there may be an argument that it is difficult to gauge the damage drugs cause. We know certain people are predisposed to be addicted to specific substances and their lives and those of their loved ones can be destroyed by addiction.
• Some students may couple liberalized drug laws with increased rehabilitation efforts as an appropriate response. This acknowledges personal freedom for those who may consume substances without addiction or life altering consequences, while also recognizing some people will become dependent and need assistance.