Morality and Law

Morality and Law

ADJ-215

August 5, 2012

Jeff Nelson

Morality and Law

1) Under what circumstances, if any, might the legalization or decriminalization of drugs be beneficial to society?

The legalization or decriminalization of drugs can potentially be beneficial to society. It would generate new revenue for states and regions to put in place diversion programs, educational programs, build new highways, the potential is unlimited. On the other hand if decriminalization was made for drugs the potential for the crime rate could possibly go up because there would not be any fear of repercussions to the sellers and distributors of such drugs. As mentioned before it would make great revenue for the states to do something positive with the money that comes from drugs and people always want what they cannot have so therefore the enticement of doing something illegal would disintegrate and the crime rate could possibly go down. Depending on which drugs are legalized is going to be the deciding point as to whether or not decriminalization or legalization will be beneficial. Just like with anything else it has its positive and negative aspects that need to be weighed out before any decision is made.

2) Do you consider alcohol a drug? Should greater control be placed on the sale of alcohol?

Do I consider alcohol a drug? It is a mood or mind altering chemical that affects the brain in such a way that distorts reality, so yes, I do considered alcohol a drug. Do I think that greater control should be placed on the sale of alcohol? I think that if greater control were to be placed on alcohol that we would just be repeating history and history has proven that no matter what is done when it comes to controlling alcohol that people will find a way around that and the crime rate will raise. People always want what they cannot have and putting greater control on alcohol would just cause other illegal activities and violence in society. We as a society have already tried putting control and even stopping the sale of alcohol and it was overturned, why repeat history in order to try to control something that ultimately has a better outcome if left alone instead of trying to force something that would cause more harm than good upon society.

3) Do TV shows and films glorify drug usage and encourage youths to enter the drug trade? Should all Images on TV of drugs and alcohol be banned?

I do think that TV shows and films glorify drug usage and encourage youths to enter the drug trade, but if the young did not see it on the screen that would see it somewhere else, so that being said I do not believe that drugs and alcohol images should be banned from TV. Depending on what you mean by drug trade also makes a big difference. Do I think it encourages youth to take drugs absolutely, but do I think it encourages the youth to start selling drugs and become big time drug dealers, no I do not. There is a big difference in that area. It is not just black and white. TV and films glorify the usage of drugs, but a majority also shows the negative effects that can happen when one does partake in such things and it does show the repercussions of selling drugs as well.

4) Is prostitution really a crime? Should a man or woman have the right to sell sexual favors if he or she so chooses?

Considering prostitution is one of the oldest professions in the world, it is my opinion that it is not a crime. I believe that it is morally wrong, but that is for each individual person to determine. A man or woman should have the right to sell sexual favors if he or she chooses to do so, the key words being man or woman, not children. This is where the Rational Choice and Social Process theories come into