There is no denying the fact that drug use changes behavior and exacerbates criminal activity. The experts also believe that legalization will lead to greater availability of drugs, which will, in turn, lead to increased use. The use of drugs, especially cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and PCP, is often associated with violent criminal behavior. There is ample evidence that demonstrates the links between drugs, violence, and crime. Additionally, links between alcohol, a currently legal substance, and crime are well documented.
Police can attest to the fact that alcohol plays a significant role in domestic violence cases.
Drug use would only swell the statistics regarding crime, even if the drugs were legally purchased. Criminal activity would not be reduced as a result of drug legalization any more than criminal activity disappeared after the repeal of Prohibition. The forum participants discussed the fallacy that legalizing drugs would eliminate the black market environment that seems to fuel the drug trade and its attendant violence. Among detained arrestees in the United States, 68.3 percent tested positive for either marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, or methadone. Furthermore, approximately one in six of both state and federal prisoners said in 1997 they committed their offense to get money for drugs.