Decriminalization Now: How Legalizing Procuring and Drugs Everywhere Is Part of Freedom
Would you procure or sell narcotics?
What Freedoms May Come
In an age where “sins” such as shooting heroine between the toes, and snorting cocaine, and cavorting with gentlemen of leisure and ladies of the night remain illicit, the populace will view Lamar Odom’s tragic fall as just another Negro who has suffered from his vices. With Mr. Odom now on a 50/50 chance of living, the blame by many points to his downward spiral into drugs and seeking the company of whores. But if such “crimes” were legalized across the board (brothels are of course legal in Nevada) what would the response be to his downfall? What if, in a fully free society where bureaucrats played no role in the personal lives of citizens, drugs flowed freely. Procurers and hookers walked the streets without fear of police harassment. In such a setting, rehabilitation centers would pop up on nearly every corner to treat those afflicted by the disease of addiction. Psychiatrists would provide counseling to individuals who can't knock the habit.
What makes Mr. Odom’s case so sad is the fact that he had to slum or stoop to lows in order to find temporary enjoyment. With the decriminalization of procuring and drugging everywhere, such actions would be deemed immoral but would be hands off to any government official. Instead of cracking down on victimless crimes, police units would focus on actual affronts to individual rights like murder, rape, theft, and fraud. Because of his high-profile status as a two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion (2009-2010), Mr. Odom has been targeted for his transgressions. The sickening part is that he has been condemned for actions which ought not be punishable under the law. The brothels in Nevada which offer sexual activity in exchange for funds ought to be only the beginning of the face of state and city governments.
For those to attack Mr. Odom, what ought to be considered is the potential for a free market. Only in a laissez-faire capitalistic country would behavior like Mr. Odom’s be seen as a immoral but not illegal. May he be judged rationally.
