On "Drugs" by Gore Vidal

When it comes to drug usage I disagree with Vidal that "each man has the right to do what he wants with his own life." One's choice to abuse drugs affects not only themselves but the others around them too. Drugs alter one's behavior dramatically and cause one to be a danger to another. One of the long-term effects of methamphetamine for example is violent behavior. Increased violence could directly affect those around the drug addict which is what makes those with easy access to drugs a threat to their neighbors. Another reason that I don't agree with Vidal is that drug addicts create a financial burden for others. In this article it is said that 55 billion dollars in year is spent on drug abuse related criminal justice. Society has to pick up not only the abusers' tab for law enforcement but for health care as well. Over 100 billion dollars is spent on health care related to drug abuse alone. Clearly those with easy access to drugs affect those around them which is why I disagree with Vidal.