Drug Use is Not a Victimless Crime

No matter their political affiliation, most Americans are Libertarian at heart. They prefer freedom over fiat; and self determinism over dogmatism.

But I and many others disagree with Libertarians on at least one key argument of theirs: Drug use is not a victimless crime. You see, the user and his family alike are victims. They suffer in many, many ways. They suffer physically. They suffer financially. And they suffer emotionally.

And I don't think it matters, as they would argue, that because the user had a choice and chose to use, he is not therefore a victim. A fundamental principle in product liability law posits that a manufacturer is liable for damages resulting from a product defect, as long as the user was not aware of the defect. If you climb a ladder and it breaks, for example, the manufacturer is liable if he didn’t notify you of weight limitations or if you didn’t waive your rights in some other fashion.

Most drugs, but particularly illicit drugs, are inherently defective. But despite this seemingly widespread knowledge that drugs can harm or even kill, it's not a contradiction to avow that a user is unaware of their dangers and thus remains a victim.

You see, unlike a rickety ladder, the inherent defects of drugs are cleverly hidden by a pleasurable high or temporary relief from pain. But if the tradeoff is addiction, I think it's safe to say that users don't fully know or at least understand the inherent risk that comes with drug use. Who would sell his body and soul to the devil if he knew he'd burn in hell eternally?

Taking drugs victimizes more than the user and his family. Just yesterday, 12 federal agents killed in Mexico by the La Familia drug cartel. With so much money to be made selling drugs, the pushers, whether they be drug cartels or drug companies, are not likely to give up their lucrative business without a fight. And that poses another defect in the argument that drug use is a victimless crime and why Ie continue to oppose the legalization of drugs or the use of them in drug rehab in Georgia programs.


Fritz Alders