Evie Coxon: Drug Policy Reform - Why EA Should Support This Cause
One important area of research within EA is studying how we can increase overall happiness and global wellbeing. Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are at all-time highs and continue to increase across the world.This means that there is a pressing need to answer these questions pertaining to how we can best improve life satisfaction and alleviate mental suffering.
Drug policy reform (DPR) is currently overlooked by EA, despite having vast potential to make a difference to mental health. A few important people in the mental health field have argued that legalisation of psychedelic drugs could actually be one of the most promising and effective ways of increasing happiness for multiple reasons:
Primary research trials have shown that psychoactive substances such as LSD, magic mushrooms etc. are effective in treating depression and other mental illnesses. They have dramatic effects on improving happiness and wellbeing. However, current drug policy makes it very difficult to test the full effects of these drugs in the medical context. Through DPR, we could make these drugs more accessible to patients and research institutions, allowing more people to benefit directly from their uses in medical environments.
Current prohibition of drugs could easily be what is driving individuals towards more dangerous and harmful drugs and addictions. If some psychedelics were legalised, this could help prevent more serious and deadly drug use. Additionally, decriminalisation of certain drug use could encourage people to reach out and seek help for minor addiction problems.
Criminal behaviour could be reduced. The drug trade is violent, costly, corrupt and still dominates in some countries. It is responsible for a portion of criminal behaviour. In the past, governments have spent large sums of money fighting drug use. Perhaps it is time to consider alternatives? Through DPR, we could make the drug business less profitable and desirable. This has the potential to reduce criminal behaviour, violence and local conflict.
Using drugs may actually increase happiness. Why do we drink alcohol? Many people think it's fun. We could treat it like alcohol or cigarettes and have age restrictions and heavy taxes.
The pushback against DPR stems from the dangers surrounding legalisation of psychedelic drugs. For example, some people may ask; what's the point of switching depression or anxiety for a substance disorder?
In response to this, I believe that this only strengthens the argument that EA should support DPR as an area. We need people who are familiar with the EA framework to start to think about how we could most successfully incorporate drugs as a way of increasing happiness, while at the same time minimising the risks of drug addiction. Research into treatment for drug addiction and substance disorders is especially important. Similarly, DPR will involve shaping a new attitude and approach to drug use. It would be helpful for such a change to be governed by a social movement like EA where people are open to progressive change, and inclined toward using data and rationality to develop specific changes to policy.
Overall, the area of DPR offers substantial potential to make a difference to people's happiness and wellbeing; however, such a change is complex and dangerous, and requires intertwining many different fields united by EA philosophy.