Gore Vidal's "Drugs"

I agree with Gore Vidal's remark (from his essay "Drugs") that "each man has the right to do what he wants with his life" to some extent.  However, I think some line has to be drawn when doing what you want endangers yourself, and more importantly others.  Vidal incorrectly assumes that drug use affects only the addict.   Although the addict is significantly harmed; drugs negatively effects those close to the addict as well.  While "high," addicts often exhibit irrational behavior, this can result in physical and/or emotional harm to their family and friends.  In assuming that the actions of drug addicts don't affect others, Vidal largely ignores these consequences.

A myriad of drugs, illegal and legal, can result in violent, abusive and irrational behavior, putting not only the addict, but also his neighbors at risk.  Cocaine, PCPs, LSD, meth and anabolic steroids are some of the most common illegal drugs that result in this violence.  Legalizing these drugs would likely result in increased experimentation leading to increased, possibly endangering entire neighborhoods.  How would you like to live next to the new suburban meth lab? How about the cocaine addict?  Although Vidal makes some valid points, he omits and ignores the far reaching effects of drugs.