Drugs: The Glorified Tidily-Winks.

Vidal felt that legalization would put a stop to most drug addiction within a very short time. If drugs became accepted and allowed in society, people would lose interest. I can think of one example that shows this could be the case. In the late 1980’s my elementary school succumbed to the ingenious invention of the POG. What was actually a glorified tidily-wink soon became the most popular item at school. Children would bring and trade them during class and would give little attention to their studies. Teachers soon became aware of its impending threat to education and outlawed them from the school grounds. Soon, because the ban of the POG proved to unsuccessful, teachers allowed them back into the school. A few weeks later the POG became the plaything of yesterday and little boys were beat up in the

There is a difference between the POG example and the issue about drug legalization. Where POGS were once allowed in the school halls, forbidden, and then allowed back, drugs on the other hand have never been legal - or have they? Coca-cola, a now much loved drink of the American people was named for its two main ingredients, the coca leaf (cocaine) and the kola nut. Although it is undetermined how much cocaine the drink originally contained it is a fact that the drink contained it. At the time of Coca-colas invention the coca leaf was used in various patient medicines, which was what Coca-cola was originally used for. By 1929 all traces of the drug had been removed from the product.

Gore Vidal knew what he was talking about when he wrote his essay. He knew that even though illegal drugs are not good for you, they are used. Drug legalization could lead to a lower crime rate in America. People who suffer from cancer and chronic pain could have some comfort. Tax money from drugs could be used towards helping the American people. Jails from coast to coast would have more room for more hardened criminals, and heroin abusing heterosexual wouldn’t have to worry about contracting AIDS through unhygienic needles. Where drugs would become more available, America would probably never live in a time where retailers would sell cocaine filled drinks, and hard drugs would be sold at the local 7-11.

bathroom for carrying such “sissy toys” around school. This example, though not drug related, does paralle

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