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One of the major problem that our society is facing is the increase use of illegal drugs, such as, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and crack. Intake of these drugs is increasing at a alarming rate. These drugs have several adverse effects. Not only these are harmful for their health, but also causes various problems in their lives and also ruin the lives of their families. Further, the drug addicts often turn to other illegal activities like robbery, crimes, muders in order to earn more money and support their habit.
Government makes various attempts to discourage the use of such drugs and spend millions of ruppes to reduce the flow of drugs into the country.
But do these attempts by government seriously address the problem?
Let’s understand this from economics point of view, using the economics tools of supply and demand.
If the government will make strict laws and will hire more federal agents to reduce the entry of drugs in a country. The direct impact of this will be on the sellers rather than buyers as it will raise the cost of selling drugs. This will reduce the supply, resulting in the shift of supply curve to the left and demand being unchanged. Thus, in order buy the drugs, addicts will be ready to pay more. So, the overall affect on the market will be that the prices will increase and demand will fall. However, the fall in demand will be much less than the increase in prices, because the demand for drugs is inelastic. At last, the result will be that addicts will increase the drug related crime in order to support their habit further.
Thus, in overall drug interdiction will lead to more increase in drug related crimes.
So, what is a better option?
The better way that government can reduce the use of drugs in a country and also reduce the drug related crimes is to create awareness among people. Rather than, drug interdiction , government should go for DRUG EDUCATION . This will make the demand for drugs more elastic, and will also reduce drug related crimes.
24 Comments. Leave new
Well explained 🙂
Well explained and a nice article 🙂
Well written!
Well explained.
True! spreading awareness about drugs is very crucial these days.
great article!
Very nicely written, actually liked the presentation of example !
Keep it up 🙂
Great effort!
Informative article
well done
true.. well written!!
good work 🙂
Good job.
liked it 🙂
nice
Well explained
well in a sense, it is true that drug education can be a potential option to eradicate drug use and govt. has always on working on this but what i feel is educating and awareness will have just a minor influence because these substances affect the mental stature of the addict as well as become a craving, hence rehab is a better option!
Great job!
Well written!
Drug addiction is a brain disease. Though initially it may be voluntary but slowly it becomes uncontrolled. This is a really a cause of concern and I feel you are true in stating that drug education is the solution. It shall be taught right in the primary classes. Moreover, there are regular cases of drug smuggling and drug imports which are all a result of drug interdiction.
Very well written!
good article
wow…love how you have explained demand, supply and inelasticity by taking drugs as an article! Very impressive
Superb job !
Informative. Great work!