The War on Drugs: Golden Triangle - Annotated Bibliography Example

The War on Drugs: Golden Triangle – Article Critique and Summary The War on Drugs and Crime Rates The War on Drugs and Crime Rates Author Saadatmant Yassaman Toma Michael Choquette Jeremy Date May, 2012 Source Journal of Business & Economics Research Stakeholder Drug Enforcement Agency Summary: This article represents the relation between the war on drugs and the crime rates. It analyzes how many professionals believe that incarcerating drug offenders actually reduces crime, but what they do not know is the fact that according to the time series analysis of four crime rates in the United States, this view is not supported. The article uses seven explanatory variables which include the Drug Enforcement Agency and suggests that the incarceration of drug offenders merely causes a crowding-out effect in prisons, releasing the non-drug offenders and thus, potentially increasing, rather than decreasing, crime. The author talks about many views representing the history and the principles of facts on this issue. He represents the view that he believes is unknown to many and should be presented to everyone. As this is one of the major misperceptions according to him as mentioned in the article. It is also discussed in the article that suggestions and recommendations should be made to stop the use of drugs and the spread of drug offenders in a wise and logical way. This article is for those who believe that incarcerating the drug offenders will reduce the crime. Thus the evidence is also being shown through statistics. Critique: The authors have supported the government view in this article as they talk about the economics and politics of the drug offenders. The authors cover some major issues regarding the war on drugs and the crime rates which were profoundly unknown. They have provided an unbiased research in which they analyze all the aspects related to the topic. They cover the previous research done on the topic regarding the battle of US government with the drug offenders since years, and how they focused on the criminalization of drugs rather just proposing anti-drug policies. The authors clearly gave examples regarding the definitions of imprisonment and incarcerating with the help of many examples, and related it to the negativity caused by the act. The authors have used reliable sources to support their arguments with information from all the sides and then supporting their view. With the use of previous research on imprisonment, incarcerating and the drug offenders, to the presentation of the models and the variables, the authors had made it very clear for the reader to understand their view. They have also presented authentic calculations and contrasted them to make their view authentic, and prove how crime rate has increased due to the incarcerating of drug offenders. There is enough evidence shown by the authors to describe and prove their viewpoint. The evidence is taken from reliable sources as they have proper calculations taken from the statistics published by the government and law department. Although the article has provided economical and political views as per the nature of the journal, I think it has still provided enough information to understand the desired objects. 2. Unmapping the Golden Triangle or the World on Drugs ‎ Title Unmapping the Golden Triangle or the World on Drugs Author Neilson Brett Date 2000 Source Passages: Interdisciplinary Journal of Global Studies Stakeholder Business Summary: This article focuses on the operation of the global drug economy and how fast it has been increasing. It also shows the mode of production of drugs in the Golden Triangle, the Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the article talks about the contradictory relations between the capitalist globalization and the underground drug economy. Also talks about the inconsistency on the spatial relations constituting the Golden Triangle, and the severe impact of globalization on the business of heroine trafficking. These aspects are covered in the article in the literary point of view followed by the viewpoint of the author. The article explains the purpose of the Golden Triangle along with its history and background for which it is known. The many related aspects to the Golden Triangle are what make it even more prominent in the world of drugs. The war on drugs has been global and though the Golden Triangle is located in Southeast Asia it tends to have an impact in the whole world’s drug suppliers. Since it is the centre of the drug economy, it will tend to create many contradictions and problems in their own world which are assessed through this article. Critique: The article talks about the globalization of the drug industry and how the businesses have been successful in increasing the production of drugs globally. The article usually talks about the businesses who have contributed towards the drug economy, and how these businesses have been operating throughout years. The author discusses the issues that have been happening globally regarding the drug production and supply. He has a very biased view in which all he talks about is the drug industry, how it used to be, ands how over the years it has grown. He explains the golden triangle and all the aspects related to it. From the history to the modern day subject, the author has discussed all the major events that took place, he also talks about the production of heroine, and the businesses related to this golden triangle. Since the author has used all the historic facts to develop the meaning of this article, the material used is pretty much authentic. The use of interviews, newspaper articles, statistics and tables has made the article much stronger in terms of principle building. Throughout the article, the author has written his own viewpoint side by side making it biased. Although much of the evidence is given to support the details about the events and the facts of history, in my opinion, the author has failed to provide some credible information on the public policy issue. Thus I think the issue is not being analyzed nor recommendations are made, the main aim of the author remains the unmapping of the characteristics of the Golden Triangle and the World on Drugs. 3. The Golden Triangle: Inside Southeast Asia’s Drug Trade ‎ Title The Golden Triangle: Inside Southeast Asia’s Drug Trade Author Michael Woodiwiss Date 2010 Source Cornell University Press Stakeholder Business Summary: This article is a review of the book “The Golden Triangle: Inside Southeast Asia’s Drug Trade”. It talks about the many activities related to the drug industries which are carried out in the Southeast Asia. A series of productions and participations in the drug trade industry are being reviewed. This includes all the businesses who tend to manufacture these drugs, and also those who produce them, illegally. The participators are those who supply these drugs and who promote their use through further illegal means. Moreover, it also shows how the people involved in the drug industry have become criminals in the eyes of the western outsiders. The article is related to the political views and thus, talks about the business and the politics related to the Golden Triangle. It talks about all the negatives and the myths about the Golden Triangle, and how the western people take it as. The global perspective about the Golden Triangle is discussed showing what outsiders think and how it is actually. The writer aims to reach to the people who do not know what this is about and why this is considered bad. The writer wants to spread more and more awareness in order to try and stop it. Critique: The article talks about the government and the business both as it unfolds many of the true principles of this drug industry. The writer has carried out a research study through which she is able to enhance the reader’s phenomenon about the drug industry in Southeast Asia. The author has a very critical thinking to the issue as she carried out her study. She believes on the fact that despite putting laws and legislations on certain things, people have to produce them and consume them as per their willingness to desire for them and pay for them. She uses her biased view of the study that she has carried out. She discusses the regions of the drug industry, and then talks about the business entrepreneurs who participate in the trade. The article is based on a book and thus all the information provided is from reliable source. It shows the author’s study and research that has been carried out and how the author uses many examples and quotes to prove her viewpoint. The examples and material is also related to many of the other writers and journalists who made efforts about the findings on the drug trade. The writer has put forward many of the credible sources and studies that enabled the reader to understand keenly the phenomenon of this public policy. I believe it provided much of practical information that would help in knowing the truth and the allowance of the drug trade throughout the globe. 4. Taiwan, Mainland China, and the United States: Another Golden ‎Triangle in Global Supply Chain‎ Title Taiwan, Mainland China, and the United States: Another Golden Triangle in Global Supply Chain. Author Paul S.P Date 2002 Source Chinese American Forum Stakeholder Government Summary: The article talks about how Taiwan became a member of the World Trade Organization and how the laws and the regulations have been imposed by the government on the trade. It talks about all the government policies regarding the trading giving a detailed description to the traders about what is legal and what is not. It also talks about the Golden Triangle and the government policies against it. it gives detailed analysis on the trading acceptable under the government rules, the active participation in the international trades, the adequate relief provided against the trade impacts, the competitiveness and the domestic industries. Furthermore, it gave a discussion about all the sectors and their respected regulations like agriculture industry and the technology industry. The article talks about the entrepreneurs in the WTO and what rules they are subjected to. The Golden Triangle has been discussed in this part and has discouraged the businesses to participate in supplying illegal materials. Many suggestions and encouraging recommendations have been given in the article that would help the entrepreneurs in establishing their business. This is basically an article representing the government view about the international trading to help the businesses and also warn them. Critique: The author talks about the Golden Triangle supply chain and the additions to that supply chain. He talks about the government of Taiwan and United States and how they have been a part of the supply chain. He talks about the World Trade Organization including all the aspects of economic and trade relations. The author represents the government in this article and how the government has to keep up with the unauthorized trading under the laws. It also talks about the entrepreneurs and the trading done at the time of recession to give a boost to the economy. The author discusses the issues in an unbiased view based upon the facts and principles that take place in the Golden Triangle. He raised the issue of recession and relating to that he discussed the trading and the businesses done to overcome the recession. He discusses many of the government aspects and policies and also about all other industries; domestic and international. The author has collected information which is very relevant and shows the exact figures and thus is reliable. The material consists of various government restrictions put on trade and on the illegal production and activities. The information is about much of the Chinese government and their restrictions and policies for trade, including the role of technology and the manufacturing sector. In my opinion, the article is showing much of credible information as it provides the information about the various policies that are imposed on trade and businesses, which should be followed. I believe it could be an eye-opener for the readers. 5. War on Drugs an Expensive Failure ‎ Title War on Drugs an Expensive Failure Author M.J. Milloy Date August 23, 2012 Source Toronto Star (Canada) Stakeholder Government Summary: The article starts with the account narrated by the author of what he has experienced. He explains the use of heroin in the small countries around him, and how saddening it is to see these people give away their minds and their lived because of this. He talks about the failure of the government in trying to stop the use of drugs and enabling the people towards a better life. He explains how surprisingly the policymakers have become failures in trying to control this major issue. The author says that the failure has rather increased the use of heroin and the number of people dying from it. Furthermore, he claims that if the number of claims starts to be recorded, the policymakers will get to know how possibly big failures they have become. He gives examples form the data released in the United States on the drug cases and how the increased budget on the war of drugs has no affect on the success of this. He suggests that after the failure of the policymakers, the medial professionals should take a stand and introduce medical tips to reduce the use of drugs and heroine. Critique: The author has written a newspaper article explaining her own opinion. The article is representing the government and the expensive failure of the government laws against the use and production of drugs. The author has written an unbiased opinion as he raises the issue of the government failure to prevent the drugs. Basically the author has described his own opinion on the use of drugs here giving the reasons of why it should be stopped. He has given many medical reasons and he believes that the public healthcare members can stop this issue. The author has focused on the public harm done by the drugs and an unbiased opinion on the general ways the government had imposed laws and they proved to be unsuccessful. The author has used some other examples too to support the issue as he discusses his own experience. He used examples form the reports and from other sources which makes this information relevant. The material that he has used is credible as it raises the true issue about the government failure. The author imposes his view very strongly, and I believe this is a very strong approach to reach the readers. I think this article simply gives examples of how harmful the drugs can be, and the approval to the government failure. The author also gives some simple recommendations in the end which would create an impact on the reader, and believe that the opinion is justified. 6. War on Drugs Should we decriminalise drugs? ‎ Title War on Drugs Should we decriminalise drugs? Author Sam Blondo Date April 4, 2012 Source Herald Sun (Melbourne) Stakeholder Government Summary: The article talks about the phrase ‘war on drugs’, and focuses on the aspects of how it was supposed to focus on certain issues and how it resulted to be completely opposite. The writer states that this should have focused on law enforcement and criminalization of the users and suppliers of drugs, whereas it had become an unsuccessful program that has not stopped the use of drugs. The article further talks about the legislation and how it proposes to stop the use of drugs. But the politics have made the policies unsuccessful. The author discusses the reasons of these failures to be the extreme political climate in which these policies are surviving. The author also talks about his views on the better options that are available for the war of drugs. He believes that the drug policies would not be affective until the policymakers themselves do not change their perception and control the supply of drugs among the people. He suggests that the increase supply of alcohol has also been accepted by the people and thus it can not be stopped. In the end he also talks about the harms that can be caused in case the war on drugs remains to be unsuccessful. Critique: The author has focused on representing the government and their unsuccessful tries to stop the use of drugs. The author has discussed the issues that are being caused and how they are affecting the society. The author has used a very callous tone which would attract the reader towards the material and the issues being raised. A much unbiased tone in writing and opinion has been used which gives an interaction with the facts and further the main issues that are the unreachable solutions. I believe the tone of the writing is what will have an impact on the reader as it gives the sense of unacceptable practices related to drugs, and the illustration of the fact that something other than government efforts have to be done. In my opinion the material that has been used for the article is very factual. The author has used many of the facts form the history and the reports from other writers. He has used these reports as examples to relate the point he is supporting about the government efforts and policies going to waste. He proposes a very strong one sided opinion which allows the reader to engage in the writing as well and support this view. I believe the writer as provided enough evidence to support his views. I think the article is credible enough to provide the readers a time to think, and other unions to think about taking some action. The material and the tone of writing have influenced the article into being a very impactful one. 7. Rethinking the war on drugs ‎ Title Rethinking the war on drugs Author Angela Hawken Date April 22, 2012 Source The Wall Street Journal Stakeholder Government and Business Summary: There is the need for proper planning and programming to fight with drugs. With the help of proven programs the harm caused by drugs can be significantly reduced and they can also help in reducing the number of prisons. The problem of drug eradication has resulted in two wrong solutions. The first one is having the drug war with prohibition and wrong enforcement. On the other hand, the second one is allowing drug legalization. These policies have worsened the condition and are harming the society instead of solving the problem. The major issue is that policy makers are ignoring important facts while making new rules regarding drugs. For instance, they must consider drug users as a sole group. The process of making drugs legal can increase the issue of drug abuse because it includes possession and production rights. If these drugs become legal then there availability will make them cheaper and easily available for all drug users. There is an immense need of a system that must be practiced everywhere to control the drug abuses. Some countries have made it legal but the arrest rate is so low that drug users have no tension regarding any rules or policies. Even drug testing is not used by some authorities to decrease the crime rate. There is a requirement of special programs that can put the right pressure on the consumer. And with the right pressure, the heavy drug user can also control his consumption. The famous programs include HOPE by Judge Alm and the Drug market intervention program by David Kennedy. Critique: The author of this article has presented the government and the business views both. He has stated the facts about the use of drugs and raised the importance of rethinking the war on drugs. As he emphasized on the facts that drugs should be stopped in other possible ways, he presents his unbiased views on the topic. His views are very profound and influencing as he supports them with the use of various examples and techniques. As he starts with the failure of the current policies made by the government on the war on drugs, he justifies the facts about these policies being unsuccessful. Then he presents the business views on the production of the drugs and the trade being done. Yet I support his idea of rethinking the idea on drugs and accepting that the current policies have failed. The author has used reliable material which is from reliable sources; he gives many examples and facts about past events which are authentic making his research authentic and true. His study shows his dedication towards his work and the quality in his writing. He proposes many ideas and suggestion, not according to his opinion, but according to the research that has been carried out. He gives suggestions with proper justifications and an unbiased view on the solutions. I think his research has presented enough evidence to prove what he thinks, and how he supports the fact that the government has failed, even in their own view. 8. Drugged Out Title Drugged Out Author Andrew Marshall Date May 30, 2011 Source Time Inc. Stakeholder Business Summary: The modern drug eradication program has threatened Phiyer. The Phiyer is the small remote village in northern Laos and shares its boundaries with Burma. This area is fully governed by the military but still there are few secret factories that are producing millions of tons of pills of methamphetamine or Yaba. From Burma this drug is then distributed among China, Vietnam, Thailand and Colombia. This drug trade is done through sleepy Phiyer site which is the biggest drug-trafficking road of the world. According to the UNODC, the golden triangle which includes Burma, Northern Laos and Thailand was the biggest supplier of opium and heroin. After the drug eradication program, the production and supply of drugs were significantly dropped. But then they applied modern business techniques to increase the supply. For this golden triangle expanded its target market and started supplying to Northern China and Southern Thailand. Also, they manufactured a new product of methamphetamine that can be chewed or injected and this captured vast attention of the new consumer. The Yaba got an immense social acceptance especially in youngsters as it helps to boost energy, sexual pleasure and self-esteem. Currently the golden triangle is producing huge share of drug production. The Yaba is easily available in Shangai, Dhaka and Laotian villages. Critique: The author of this article has used many of the perspectives to come to the point of the issue. He has represented the business and the trade of drugs and however opposed it in his views. He discusses the various manufacturers and producers of drugs that are spread globally. He presents an unbiased view stating how the drugs and their use has become so popular yet harmful, especially in Southeast Asia because of the Golden Triangle. His issue is about the harm in using the drugs and opposition of the businesses who produce these drugs. He expresses his views with the help of many sources and facts. Although he has used the business views but he has strongly opposed them supporting the viewpoint of stopping the use of drugs and the supply also. The material in this article is very authentic as it provides many references and sources that are linked to these links. The author has used his research to present his justified views. He has also presented many of the past events which explain his views for example he described many of the cases that were severe due to the use of drugs, and then justified his opinion with the opposition to this. The article presents good evidence of the views of the author and I believe that these reflections have made the article stronger to oppose the businesses making these drugs and trading them. 9. No Blowing Smoke: Poppies Fade in Southeast Asia ‎ Title No Blowing Smoke: Poppies Fade in Southeast Asia Author Thomas Fuller Date September 16, 2007 Source The NewYork Times Stakeholder Business Summary: The old perception about Golden triangle as a biggest producer of opium, heroin and colored poppy has now changed. According to UNOCD, the Golden triangle is not the largest player of drugs industry anymore and now it has moved towards drug-free area. This is the prevalent achievement of the drug eradication program. The production of opium has decreased from 70 percent to 5 percent in the last two decades. The major reason of this change includes economic demands from China, pressure on opium production farmers and changing perception of criminals from drug production. The UN reported that now Afghanistan is the biggest source of opium and it is producing 92 percent of the opium. The major portion of drug production is under the supervision of the Taliban. China has played premium role to decrease opium production in Myanmar. The UN declared it opium-free area last year. This is because the central government of Myanmar has banned the poppy cultivation and encouraged investment in rubber and tea plantation. Myanmar is the second source of opium production but its production has decreased by 80 percent. In addition to this, Shan State Army is also taking part in the eradication process. The production of opium has remarkably decreased by 94 percent in Laos due to its political stability. Critique: The author has supported the view of the success in the war of drugs seen in the years. He represented the businesses that manufacture and trade the drugs and how they have gone into losses due to the success of the war on drugs. This opinion of the author is biased as it does not propose the other side of the story. He has given the opinion on just some of the facts that may be existent only in the short run. He presented some facts and based his opinions on those facts that resulted in many other principles being left out and not considered. The issue he raised in this article was the fact that the Golden Triangle had received some loss due to the war on drugs and thus, the loss was unnoticeable. The material he presented in this article supported his view fully but it was not enough to support his biased views. These sources just showed one side of the story and that’s why the article seems to be misleading. The author has used many of the references and true events that resulted in the businesses gain losses as a result to the government policies against drugs. However, it is true that this evidence was not enough. In my opinion, the author should have used some more views to this and not just regard his article to a short term loss. It didn’t mean that the war on drugs was unsuccessful, nor did it affect the businesses enough to stop manufacturing and producing drugs. This point could be considered as a strong point to the war on drugs but not a major strength. 10. ‎‘War on Drugs’ has failed, say Latin American Leaders‎ Title ‘War on Drugs’ has failed, say Latin American Leaders Author Jamie Doward Date April 7, 2012 Source Guardian News and Media Limited Stakeholder Government Summary: The war against drugs is not proved beneficial and is failed to achieve its target. It is high time to change the approach to solving the global issue of drugs. Mr. Otto Perez Molina who is the president of Guatemala believed that there is an urgent need of making new security plans to control the drug issues. He is inviting his Latin America fellows to change the current prohibition paradigm as it is based on a wrong perception of eradicating the drug markets. He considers that the issue of drugs must be solved by maintaining balance between prohibition and liberalization. According to him, when there are a certain regulations for the production and consumptions of tobacco and alcoholic consumption, there also must be a certain set of regulations for the drug industry. His main motto is that the government must follow realistic approach and abandon all ideological concepts. Also, he wants to encourage global Intergovernmental conversations regarding drug regulations. In addition to this, he thinks that production and consumption of drugs must be legalized but with specific conditions and limits. This approach of Perez Molina is getting global attention and foreign policy experts will soon look into it carefully. Also, the presidents of Mexico and Colombia have arranged a national debate. This concept has allowed the leaders to have an open and detailed discussion regarding drugs. Joe Biden has also acknowledged this approach. Critique: The author has presented the view of the Latin American Leaders who present the failure of the current government policies. The author raises completely political issues that show how much the government policies have been a disappointment for all the leaders who have seen them fail. The article talks about the many meetings held in the government to figure out where they went wrong and how they can correct themselves. The author writes about the facts about the meetings and the ideas presented by the government officials including the President of the United States. The views of the author are totally unbiased as he proposes the facts that why these policies failed and what could have made them successful, according to what had been proposed in the meeting. The material that the author has used is all related to the politics and the discussions of the meetings. These sources are extremely credible and reliable as they are taken from the publications of the political meetings. The whole of the ideas are presented in this article which would give the reader an impact of what the government is thinking. I think the evidence is enough to show the facts that have been discussed. In my opinion, this article shows how the government has responded to their own policies and believes where they went wrong, and are willing to reinforce their policies for the betterment. I support this view as it represents the government actions and the future proceedings showing some hope by discouraging the manufacturing of drugs. References Blondo. S. 2012. “War on Drugs Should we decriminalise drugs?” Herald Sun. Retrieved online from http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/should-we-decriminalise-drugs/story-e6frfhqf-1226317922735 Brett, N. 2000. “Unmapping the Golden Triangle or the World on Drugs Passages”, Interdisciplinary Journal of Global Studies, 2(2), pp. 159-182. Doward, J. 2012. “War on Drugs’ has failed, say Latin American Leaders”, The Guardian. Retrieved online from ‎ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/07/war-drugs-latin-american-leaders Fuller, T. 2007. No Blowing Smoke: Poppies Fade in Southeast Asia The NewYork Times. Retrieved online from ‎ ‎ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2c9171%2c2072544%2c00.html Hawken, A. 2012. “Rethinking the war on drugs”, The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved online from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303425504577353754196169014.html Milloy M.J. 2012. “War on Drugs an Expensive Failure”, Toronto Star. Retrieved online from http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/1246242--war-on-drugs-an-expensive-failure Marshall, A. 2011. “Drugged Out”, Time Inc. Retrieved online from ‎ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2c9171%2c2072544%2c00.html Paul, S.P. 2002. “Taiwan, Mainland China, and the United States: Another Golden Triangle in Global Supply Chain”, Chinese American Forum, 18 (1), pp. 24-28. Saadatmant, Y., Toma, M., Choquette, J. 2012. “The War on Drugs and Crime Rates”, Journal of Business And Economics Research, 10(5), pp. 285-289. Woodiwiss, M. 2010. “The Golden Triangle: Inside Southeast Asia’s Drug Trade”, Addiction 105(1), p178 Read More