Murder,
theft, assault, these are words that come to mind when the word “Crime” is
mentioned, where one person gains from another’s detriment. But what if there
was no gain? What if the person committing the crime was committing it against
themselves? Should that person be punished? The most common among these
self-inflicted crimes are drug use, suicide, vagrancy and drunkenness. In most
cases they are only putting themselves at risk and thus the dilemma of whether
the person at risk should be charged or not.
In 1972 a new bill repealed the law
that a person could be charged with attempted suicide. Taking a step back, that
person not only affects themselves but also their family and friends. Their
death would heavily affect everyone around them as the sheer shock would have
immense impact. This would justify it being made a law to punish attempted
suicide. Vagrancy is another crime that could be punishable. Vagrancy means
that you have to be wandering abroad or trespassing, have no means of financial
support and failing to justify your presence in the place you are found in.
Vagrancy is seemingly the only crime without a victim. However the vagrants can
be viewed as a detriment to society as they do not contribute at all. With drug
addicts one person says “Drug addicts are weaklings and fools” suggesting that
people should not have to spend tax money trying to rehabilitate or treat them.
This person has a very valid point in this matter as the rehab facilities are
sponsored by tax payer’s money. Drunkenness can also be taken in the same way.
In addition drunks could be detrimental as they would often harm others in a
drunken fit of rage where they could not control their actions.
Although these problems can
obviously be viewed as punishable crimes, they can also be viewed as not.
Suicide may be viewed as a crime performed only against the person who attempts
it. It is NOT harming anyone else, which can be viewed as the reason the government
repealed the law instead of keeping it. As for Vagrancy, it can be viewed as
simply an occupation for those without. They are not directly affecting anyone
in anyway. Although they are not contributing to society it is society’s job to
care for those in need. Drunks and Drug addicts should be able to receive a
second chance and go to rehabilitation in order to rejoin society “clean” if
there was a way to bring a loved one or friend back from a life of alcoholism
or drugs then you would be inclined to believe that it is right to provide a
solution for these crimes and deem them unpunishable as the victim does not
really affect anyone.
Although there is no clear answer
on what should be done about these crimes, there is still public opinion.
Whether any of these are actually considered crimes differs slightly. In my
opinion vagrancy cannot be stopped as there is an abundance of homeless
everyday begging which doesn’t really harm anyone so I believe that is fine.
Drug addicts and drunks I feel should have a limit on how many times they
offend before they are forced to rehabilitate or to be punished. For suicide I
believe that they need not be punished but instead be immensely rehabilitated
with professional help to ensure it never happens again. In short the opinions
of whether these are crimes or not will differ from person to person and cannot
be set in stone.
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