Drug Use and Public Policy in US

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Drug Prohibition
A prohibited drug refers to a narcotic substance or any other drug specified under the Customs Act 1901. Drug Prohibition through religious laws and sumptuary legislation attempts to prevent the recreational uses of some intoxicating substances. Components of the prohibition of drugs include why certain drugs should not be used, hence making some drugs illegal. According to (Perrone et al. 216-224), prohibited or illegal drugs should not be sold, bought, or manufactured in the United States. Some drugs are prohibited or illegal when abused but legal in certain situations. Some of the prohibited drugs include heroin, Cannabis Sativa, and cocaine, among others. I agree that illegal drugs should be prohibited to avoid drug abuse.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction refers to the practices, programs, and policies that aim to reduce legal, social, and negative impacts of health associated with drug laws, drug policies, and drug use. According to (O’Malley 191-214), harm reduction dictates that the rights of people who use drugs should be respected and their health improved. Treating drug users, their communities, and families with dignity is very important in reducing harm. According to (Nakkeeran 9-19), harm reduction on drug users also involves enforcing social justice for drug abusers by avoiding discrimination against them based on gender identity, race, economic status, occupation choices, or sexual orientation. And according to (Lau et al. 709-718), harm reduction also involves avoiding stigmatization of drug users. To effectively reduce harm against drug abusers, harm reduction officers should accept drug users as they are without judging. Also, they should communicate to drug users with respectful words and avoid stigmatizing terms or division of drugs into categories of “bad” and “good” drugs. I agree with the scholars that drug users should enjoy the rights to health, association, and education just like other people.
Decriminalization
Decrimi...