Question

Question 2: What is John Stuart Mill’s views about when the State can restrict human behavior? What are the implications of that view when thinking about the legalization of drugs? Huemer believes even if there is some harm to others, drugs should be legalized: why does he believe this and do you agree? After watching the video “The House I Live In” would you say against the criminalization/prohibitionist viewpoint?

Answer 1

John Stuart Mill emphasized highly on Liberalism, which insisted on protecting individual rights and to enhance their freedom in various aspects like laws, rules and policies of the Government. Though Liberalists believe that the Government's rules and regulations are necessary for the welfare of the people, they also say that such restrictions would be a threat to the liberty of the individuals.

In case of drug usage, Mill states that restricting individual in the intake of drugs is not necessary because, it causes threat to their liberty. He also says that people intake various legalized drugs like caffine, nicotine, alcohol and in the same way they must also be allowed to use recreational drugs like coccaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, heroin, LSD, etc.

Michael Huemer also suggested the same idea as Mill, stating that the use of recreational drug should be legalized. Though he adds that there are many harmful effects to the individual and other people due to the usage of drug, he still emphasize on legalizing it. According to him, the effects of the recreational drugs are not that very harmful as other people think, and even if the Government prohibits using it, its not that effective and it is also considered to be a threat to the liberty of the individuals.

In the movie, 'The House I live in' the harmful effects of the drugs, and how other people are affected by the usage of drugs are portrayed. Since many years various states of America has been facing this problems caused due to drug intake inspite of making of illegal. People some how get the drug through illegel sellers and use it, even though they are aware that they would be sentenced.

Though recreational drugs have some medical benefits, it is very negligible when compared to the harmful effects caused by it. It leads to several physical and psychological conditions due to which the person suffers a lot, to the extend that they become psychotic and might harm or kill themselves. The person who intakes drugs not only harm themselves but they also harm other people.

For example, If a person takes coccaine and drives a car, he may lose control of himself and might make an accident, which would be dangerous to the lives of other people. In other cases, individuals might involve in illegal activities such as theft or killing someone, as they are unaware of what they are doing due to the drug's effects.

Thus the usage of drugs should be restricted because, it not only affects the individual who intakes it but also would cause threat to the lives of other innocent people.