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TEAM JURY. President judge: Jakub Kalányos Jury members: Martina Antošová, Zuzana Blažejová, Hana Čepová, Nikol Heroldová, Barbora Jakubcová, Lucie Novotná, Tereza Paďouková, Lucie Petříková, Tereza Ryšavá, Martina Šimková, Barbora Vičarová, Irena Zajíčková (teacher). TOPIC:. SOFT DRUGS.
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President judge: Jakub KalányosJury members: Martina Antošová, Zuzana Blažejová, Hana Čepová,Nikol Heroldová,Barbora Jakubcová,Lucie Novotná,Tereza Paďouková,Lucie Petříková,Tereza Ryšavá,Martina Šimková,Barbora Vičarová,Irena Zajíčková (teacher)
TOPIC: SOFT DRUGS
The terms soft and hard drugs are no official cathegories. Rather, experts distinguish between psychedelics, stimulants, organic solvents, opioids and dance drugs. The term soft drugs is most usually applied to cannabis (marijuana or hashish), LSD, caffeine and other substances contained for example in chocolate, meaning that they aren`t associated with deaths, crime or violence among users. There is no evidence of physical addiction to them and it is said you can`t overdose on these drugs. The distinction between hard and soft drugs is important especially in the drug policy of the Netherlands, where cannabis production and use are officially tolerated under certain conditions. THE SITUATION:
THE CASE: Should soft drugs be legalized in the Czech Republic, similarly as it is in the Netherlands?
FOR: • A small amount of soft drugs can have curative effects, only in larger amounts are drugs dangerous. • Although the drug policy of the Netherlands doesn`t have much effect on the reduction of illegal drug trade, the prohibition policy of the other European states fails to eliminate drug use, too. Thus, thorough control is better than enforcing laws.
AGAINST: • After smoking a single cigarette of cannabis, harmful substances remain in your body for more than one month. Immediatelly after smoking you suffer from disturbances of consciousness, lack of concentration and delusion. • Taking soft drugs for a long time can cause infertility and many other diseases.
Jakub: „I am stricktly against the legalization. I think it is bad. When someone wants to take a soft drug, they will take it, even if it is illegal. I don`t need drugs, so I don`t need the legalization.”
Martina A.: „I agree with the legalization of soft drugs, but I don`t agree with the legalization of hard drugs.“
Zuzana: „I don`t think soft drugs should be legalized. They are as harmful for health as hard drugs.“
Hana: „In this country there are many problems with drug addicts. If you legalize soft drugs, I think the situation will be much worse.“
Nikol: „I think soft drugs should be legalized because they can help with some illnesses. But only soft drugs!“
Barbora J.: „I think the legalization of soft drugs in this country isn`t a bad idea. Cannabis can be used as a medicament or cosmetic additive. Soft drugs don`t have a long-term effect and can improve your mood. However, if you take cannabis too often or for a long time, it can cause the loss of recent memory and other diseases. But I agree with the legalization of soft drugs in this country.“
Lucie N.: „I don`t know what to think about the legalization of soft drugs. But I definitely agree with Hana that if taking drugs is legal, there will be more and more problems with people addicted to them.“
Tereza P.: „I think soft drugs shouldn`t be legalized in this country. Some people say that you can`t be addicted to soft drugs but my opinion is that if you start with soft drugs, you can easily switch to hard drugs. And hard drugs are really dangerous because they ruin your body.“
Lucie P.: „In my opinion consumption of soft drugs can be dangerous, as well. There have been many arguments for the legalization of soft drugs in the Czech Republic but I don`t think it would be right. You would then meet drugs everywhere, which not everyone would like. And it wouldn`t be healthy, either. Although, using cannabis in cosmetics and health wouldn`t be that bad.“
Tereza R.: „Legalization equals a free country and that`s a good thing, isn`t it? I think we shouldn`t be limited in any way. That`s why I agree with the legalization.“
Martina Š.: „I think drugs could be legalized in this country but only to a certain extent. It is very difficult to explain it. I don`t think all drugs should be prohibited. If someone wants to smoke cannabis or take hashish, they will take it no matter if it is or isn`t legal. The prohibition only supports illegal trade.“
Barbora V.: „I am not for the legalization but all in all I don`t care much about it because I don`t take drugs.“
Irena (teacher): „I`m against the legalization of soft drugs. I`m sure that if there is less access to drugs, less people will take them. The same applies for cigarettes: if a box of cigarettes were expensive enough and if smokers were forced to pay for curing their diseases, less people would smoke.“
OUR JURY`S VERDICT: NO!!! We think soft drugs shouldn`t be legalized in the Czech Republic.