Do individuals have an intrinsic right to consume recreational substances regardless of the legality?

Topic:
Health Debates

19 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
53% of users

  • I believe people have the right to ingest substances of their choosing, regardless of legality.

    Individuals have the right to choose what they will consume, whether those substances are legal or not. The legality of those substances are a separate issue from an individual's right to decide what they will ingest. People should be able to decide for themselves what types of substances they will consume, and to make decisions on whether or not they want to incur the side effects associated with their use. Removing this right to decide removes free will, and substitutes in group decision making. Every individual is different, and preservation of the right to choose should be maintained.

    Yes VersedMitch26

  • What people do in their own home or enviornment should not be controlled by law.

    It is no different than it being illegal for gays to practice sodomy. Every citizen should have the right to do what they please as long as it does no harm to others.

    Yes Anonymous

  • I believe they have the intrinsic right, because people have the right to do whatever they will with their own health.

    Since our nation has repeatedly given more and more rights to individuals, it is necessary that this be taken a step further. Individuals have the right to decide how to live and what to consume. If an individual desires to consume a recreational substance, they must be allowed to do so, since demanding otherwise would be encroaching on their rights.

    Yes PrettyVince50

  • Yes, because what people do in the privacy of their own home is their right.

    I am a firm believer that whatever a person does in the privacy of their home is their right, and I feel that the government has no right to intrude on that right. And I also believe that if they chose to do whatever they do in public, then they should pay the penalty. Because when they step into the public eye, they are intruding on other people's rights.

    Yes SlipArnal

  • Yes -- but that doesn't mean they should all be made legal.

    Some illegal drugs are more harmful than others. Those like marijuana that pose only mild health risks, especially with moderate use, should be made legal. More dangerous drugs should continue to be prohibited. Considerable harm seems likely to result from a broader legalization policy. Public health responses rather than a focus on punishment should be the central orientation of policy, however. But whatever the state of the law, a person has a right to pursue happiness and altered states of mind by using drugs. Judicious and informed decisions are important, but to deny people's curiosity and need by declaring all such use not only illegal but immoral is scarcely more judicious, informed, or pragmatic than indiscriminate indulgence. So the law should be cautious, as should individuals, but they should not necessarily make the same choices.

    Yes M4I4cFeIine

  • I support drug legalization because people should have control over their choices, even unhealthy ones.

    It's not the government's place to make decisions about conduct that affects only the person making the decision. Using drugs may not be healthy, but neither is drinking alcohol, smoking or eating fatty food. People who use drugs and then behave in ways that harm others or commit crimes can be punished for those crimes. There is no need to regulate the use of people who use recreational drugs but do so in a quiet manner that disturbs no one.

    Yes NoIanP4P3r

  • People have an intrinsic right to consume recreational substances because they are the ones who are to make the decision about what they want to put into their body.

    I believe that people have an intrinsic right to put whatever they decide into their bodies, and that includes recreational substances. If they want to become high or have an altered state of mind, that is their problem. The problem becomes when their altered state of mind affects others, such as drinking (or doing drugs) and driving or using tax dollars for detox and rehabilitation. Nevertheless, if someone wants to do ecstasy at a rave because that's what makes them happy and they are doing it in consideration of others, I believe they have a right to do so.

    Yes toastedstandard

  • I agree that individuals do have the right to consume drugs, it may be illegal to do so but people have the right to mess up their lives with out interference.

    there are many reasons not to do dugs including the legality of consuming a controlled substance. There are many drugs that are legal that have the same effects as the illegal ones. What people want to take shouldn't matter, we cant police self destruction. If more drugs were legal more people would take them. The fact of the matter is that people are going to do what they want.

    Yes C0ImEIite

  • Every individual has the right to consume any drug, legal or not.

    The legality or illegality of any drug is an issue in and of itself. What it comes down to is simply if this nation is truly free or not. In public, I will obey every law that I am told to. I will obey every law that if I did not follow it, would cause harm in any way to anyone or anything. Having a drug, whether legal or classified as a schedule I (anyone know where I can get a tab of acid these days?), such as LSG, taking it in the privacy of ones home must be defended by any and all individuals that follow the US constitution.

    Yes labeljunkie

  • Individuals have the right to do whatever they want to their bodies, regardless of the law.

    People have free will. And, if they want to cut themselves, stay in abusive relationships, eat nothing but junk food, beat their head against the wall every night until they pass out, drink alcohol or take drugs, they have the intrinsic right to do it. Is it morally right? Is it a desirable behavior? Does society approve? Is it legal? These are all separate issues. When it comes down to it, a person can ingest anything that they want - even if it kills them. Beyond this, though.

    Yes MohaI0v35
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No
47% of users

  • The Bible states to follow God's laws, as well as the laws of man.

    I am not a super religious person, but laws are put into place for a reason. The common man may not know these reasons and they may not agree with the reasons, but that is not for them to decide. A serial killer does not agree with the laws that say murder is against the law, but that does not make the serial killer right or have the right to do it, without being charged.

    No 5c0tJung

  • No, because the laws preventing this are needed to protect society.

    If illegal recreational substances harmed only the individual, then I would easily say that people should have a right to consume them. However, such consumption has huge impacts on other aspects, such as family, community, and the general safety of the public. No individual should be allowed to trample on the rights and safety of others.

    No SpikyWesley

  • Drugs are not legal for recreational use for a reason: the damage to overall health and logical thinking abilities should not be equated to fun.

    Too many of our recreational drug users today cannot cope with reality, hold a job, or contribute to society in any meaningful area. It becomes all about the drug for them.

    No VivaciousOllie54

  • No, because their recreational behavior may still affect others.

    The consumption of recreational substances may still have long-term effects on the society as a whole. Individuals may, at some point in life, have adequate resources, financial as well as others, like medical benefits, to cover the cost of any medical issues associated with recreational use. But over time and years, the impact is already well-documented. Substance abuse can carry lifelong implications, and if individuals later in life find themselves relying on social support, the rest of society ends up covering the costs of those health implications from earlier abuse. Sign a waiver that society doesn't need to pay for your health concerns later in life, and maybe I would agree.

    No OmeroAnnon

  • No, because recreational substances affect judgment and physical responses, sometimes putting others in danger.

    Our government isn't a buzz kill, just trying to keep people from having fun by outlawing certain substances. There are so many accidents attributed to drivers under the influence of an illegal drug that it is necessary to enforce these prohibitions for the public safety. This is one of our government's Constitutional responsibilities - to ensure public safety.

    No NettN355

  • No, I disagree. Individuals cannot benefit by taking recreational substances as they are often harmful to the body.

    Individuals do have a right to choose what to consume, however recreational substances are mostly addictive, which affects the mental and the physical state of a person in the long run. Often, the addiction causes overdoses and eventually the person either hurts himself or others.

    No LeftyBlondie

  • The reason I don't feel that individuals have an intrinsic right to consume recreational substances regardless of the legality is because a person on drugs may harm others.

    The reason I don't feel that individuals have an intrinsic right to consume recreational substances regardless of the legality is because drugs can affect a person negatively. A person who is affected negatively, whether physically or mentally or both, might be putting others in harms way. If there was a guarantee they would not harm anybody but themselves, maybe I'd think differently. But people using drugs may be a danger to kids and others.

    No JeffP4ri5

  • Certain recreational drugs are VERY addictive and cause the person to become self destructive. They should be illegal.

    Certain drugs such as crack cocaine cause very self destructive behavior in the people that become addicted. They have been described as stealing away the souls of people. They cause addicts to spend too much of their money to buy more drugs. They cause addicts to steal from the relatives to buy more drugs. Addicts have a hard time keeping jobs because the drugs interfere with their lives too much. Anything this harmful should not be legalized.

    No ddeathnote

  • Since drugs are against the law it is not something people get to choose to do.

    Drugs are harmful to people and this is why they are outlawed at this time. There is no reason why people should want to be allowed to do so unless they want to do it for a bad or over indulgent reason. People should stay away from illegal things because they are not good for you.

    No B3rkIffy
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Do individuals have an intrinsic right to consume recreational substances regardless of the legality?
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