Use economics to compare three ways to reduce the demand for heroin: (i) the sub

Question

Use economics to compare three ways to reduce the demand for heroin: (i) the substitution of another, less dangerous, and less debilitating drug, such as methadone for heroin, to registered addicts; (ii) the free availability of the illegal substance to registered addicts; and (iii) a legal proscription on use, which is the current policy.

If expenditures on preventing crime equal $200 billion and the costs of crime to victims equal at least $300 billion, could the United States save $500 billion by abandoning all efforts to prevent crime?

Explanation / Answer

Considering Option iii first, the legal proscription on its use will lead to smuggling the drug from other places and will increase the rate of crime. Option ii is also not viable as free availability will lead to misuse and will not help to reduce the demand for heroin. Option ii can be considered as its substitution with less harmful drug will slowly reduce its consumption and will also help to prevent crime in the country by the addicts.

Government of a country should strive for welfare of the society as a whole and try to prevent crime in the country. The use of drugs causes a loss to the victims and also the human resource of the country is wasted. So, instead of abandoning all efforts to prevent crime, the government should take steps to prevent crime.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse U
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.