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Despite a general relaxation of attitudes towards recreational drug use, legal prohibitions are still in effect in most jurisdictions. Critics point to studies that suggest empirical benefits to the use of certain drugs, and argue regulation would reduce the risk of unforeseeable side-effects. Many have further criticized enforcement of restrictions as racially biased or as exacerbating class conflict. In contrast, others cite evidence of dependency and poor mental health, arguing that legalisation would give people carte blanche to abuse addictive intoxicants and lead to increased rates of use. Do states have the right to dictate which of our decisions are noble, and which are nefarious for us? Or in waging the “War on Drugs”, have we been fighting a losing battle from the beginning?
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