All drugs should be legal.

I would like to extend an apology to my opponent for my misunderstanding of the rules. I'd like to thank my opponent for such an interesting debate, and good luck. Almost half of the states in the U.S. have some sort of needle exchange program, I think it's a very effective way to help curb the spread of disease. https://nasen.org... Some questions I feel any potential judge of this debate should ask themselves before judging (if anyone does, because it doesn't seem like anyone judges on debates anymore) *Did my opponent show how legalizing all drugs could benefit society? *Did my opponent convince you that legalizing all drugs would not be detrimental to society? *Did my opponent truly convince you that it is our right as citizens to take any drug we feel fit to take, regardless of the hazards involved? I feel that my opponent didn't even bother to address any benefits the legalization of drugs could have for society. I can't say that I blame my opponent though, that is a very difficult idea to convince people of, because I can't think of any real beneffits that it could have. I feel my opponents entire argument hinges on the drug policy of another country. I feel my opponent is trying to argue that we should legalize all drugs, regardless of the risks invoved, because our government can't tell us what we can and can't do to our bodies. That argument is problematic as well, because it's almost like my opponent is arguing from the standpoint of some guy who lives in a cabin deep in the woods, and his drug use wouldn't effect anyone, which is true, but this country isn't only made up of creepy hairy dudes in Montana who like to argue with trees. Our country is made up of students, and parents, and doctors, and etc........., and legalizing drugs could tare the fabric of society that these people make up. Some other questions to ask yourself as a potential judge is. *If your next door neighbor is a parent, and addicted to an illegal drug, would it be logical to just legalize that drug for the benefit of that parent? *If you live in a city with a large population of homeless people, who may or may not have access to quality heathcare, or drug programs, would it benefit them to make all drugs legal? *If your the parent of a smart, vibrant college kid, who has the potential to be successful, not only financially, but academically, and happy, but you just found a syringe in thier wallet while washing thier clothes. Would you want all drugs to be legal, or would you try to find help for that child? https://mic.com... The above link is just some food for thought. It is an interesting article on Portugals drug policy. I implore you to read the ENTIRE article. In closing, I'd like to feed you some food for thought. If all drugs were made legal, I don't think the rate of addiction or overdoses would go down, unless we invested huge amounts of money in drug prevention, and treatment programs, which could be a strain on our healthcare system. I will concede that our current drug policy, and situation is deplorable. I offered an alternative treatment policy, which would be to sentence repeat drug offenders to a military sentence, not for the sake of punishment, but for the sake of an effective treatment. NOT to draft them, so not to force them to to go to war, but I wonder how many of them would willfully serve after their life has been turned around by a fierce drug treatment program. Extreme yes, but just thinking outside the box. I would like to thank YOU the reader for your interest in our little debate, and if you have voting privileges, PLEASE vote on this one. Now Imma go smoke a blunt, because it's legal in my state:). PEACE!!!!