Legalization of Drugs in the United States

I disagree that secondhand smoke should not be an issue of law -- again, exposing anyone who does not consent (or anyone not of the age of consent) to secondhand drugs (tobacco or marijuana or anything else smoked) should be considered an assault. "I don't know where my opponent was going with this ..." Pro was asserting drug consumption is harmless and non-violent. I used his own phrase back at him. Operating dangerous vehicles or machinery under the influence of any intoxicant to me is violent, in contrast to my opponent's statement that: "Non-violent, taxpaying citizens should not be arrested, having their permanent records destroyed because of a personal habit." Driving drunk is an example of a personal habit that is violent, for which I wish there were a federal law regarded as a violent felony. The same should ring true of operating any vehicle, machinery or firearm while under the influence of any intoxicants -- and the law should be made to put a stop to habitual offenders, anyone found guilty say, three times of such offenses should have their driver's AND gun licenses permanently suspended as they've infringed the safety of the others to the point they are too much of a danger (and have, in my book, given up their right to bear arms or drive) to innocent people. If they cannot control their "personal habit," they can indeed be a violent threat to others. With that in mind, re-read my opponent's claim that personal drug habits are not a violent offense. Remember it is you and me on the roadways, in a factory, or next door to a neighbor who likes to intoxicate him or herself to the point they are impotent to control themselves with a gun in their possession. Where does their right to have fun end? Shouldn't it end where it infringes on your personal health and safety? Today's world is very stressful. It is, unfortunately, understandable to me that people seek to self-medicate away from stress and anxiety. Some turn to drugs, some to other vices. I think we all need 'escapes.' I do not blame someone for this, and if it were possible for someone's drug habit to stay strictly to themselves without endangering others, I would be okay with that. However, drugs are as I described -- mind-altering substances. No one under the influence of a mind-altering substance is in a right mind to operate machinery or a vehicle, nor stay in control of a firearm. "Aww, c'mon, I just wanna have fun!" could be used to excuse a lot of stupid behaviors, frankly. While I sincerely respect the stress people endure, their escapes from that stress should not infringe the safety of others -- that only increases the stress on others. This debate is no more comical to those who have overdosed or taken a mind-altering substance and gone on to kill themselves or others in an "accident" ... but anything that happens under the influence of a mind-altering substance is no accident, unless the exposure to that drug was not intentional. Any activity, such as drug abuse, that provides a serious threat to public safety must remain tightly regulated. While I would not be adverse to the laxing of some laws, overall drugs need to be heavily regulated to avoid more tragic yet very preventable deaths. I thank you who has read, and respect my opponent for a different view, but in the end I hope a majority of the audience will vote opposed to eliminating legal restrictions on the consumption of mind-altering substances for non-medicinal use. Namaste.