War on Drugs - Research Paper Example

? of the of the of the War on Drugs Question One Legalizing drugs would result in increasingthe number of drug addicts. It would be incorrect to contend that the war on drugs had ended in failure. Moreover, it is wrong to surmise that making drugs illegal leads to an increase in their abuse. This statement can be established by comparing the number of alcoholics to the number of drug abusers. The former are much larger in number, and this drives home the fact that legalizing drugs would lead to a much larger number of drug addicts. A telling example is provided by the enactment of the US Narcotics Act of 1914, which resulted in a major decrease in the number of drug users (Clark). This reduction in drug users was attributable to the fact that these drugs became more difficult to obtain. There are a few entities that advocate the legalization of drugs, with regard to drug users who do not harm others under the influence of intoxicating substances. Thus, the Global Commission on Drug Policy advocated the de – criminalization of drug use. It was their considered opinion that the various nations of the world should enact legislation that would legalize drug use. Such measures were expected to end the stigmatization, marginalization and criminalization of people using drugs, but not causing harm to others. This perspective towards drug use has found favor with several US drug advocacy groups (U.S. Still Trying to Win the War on Drugs After 40 Years of Fighting). Moreover, those who oppose the legalization of drugs contend that legalization would increase the availability of drugs, which would considerably escalate crime and violence. On the other hand the proponents of drug legalization argue that the war on drugs has ended in a fiasco. Such legalization would transform what is now a law and order problem into a health problem (Price). As such, it is the considered opinion of the opponents of legalization of drugs that drug legalization would result in an increase in the number of drug users. On the other hand, once drugs are legalized, the government could raise huge amounts as revenue, via the taxation of drugs. Such amounts could be utilized for treating drug addiction. In addition, the vast sums, of the order of $41. 3billion per annum, spent on drug enforcement would be available to the government for other useful expenditure. This would be supplemented by the $46.7 billion that would be realized as taxes on drugs (Price). Thus, the legalization of drugs seems to be a worthwhile alternative. The US and several other nations have formulated drug policy on the premise that arrests prevent crime. Thus, it is believed in these countries that punishment and the resultant stigmatization would deter criminal behavior. There is some truth behind this belief, for instance, the arrest and imprisonment of infected drug users would reduce the risk of disease to drug users from injection – related infections. In addition, to incarceration of the infected drug users, the fear of arrest would bring down the number of drug users (Friedman, Pouget and Chatterjee 344). This would significantly reduce drug use and the consequent infection. Question Two The US has been beset with the problem of drug addiction from decades. The present administration has failed to comprehend the drug issue in all its ramifications. The assumption that the legalization of drugs would lead to unbridled drug use is indisputable. The international drug cartels would find way and means to find a niche in the US market, even if drugs were to be legalized (Smith). Moreover, crime related to drugs would not be eliminated, as the drug addicts would indulge in criminal behavior, due to drug induced defective judgment and instability. In Oakland and New York, a mere tenth of the heroin and cocaine addicts obtain treatment for their condition. Such individuals have to wait for a minimum of 6 months to receive treatment (Smith). In addition, crime related to drugs has increased manifold due to the absence of treatment slots. Instead of legalization, the drug abuser is to be provided with proper treatment. This could entail the introduction of a novel system that would concentrate on transforming the behavior of the people. Such change has been evident with regard to the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, the problem with legalization is that it could result in a constitutional dilemma, wherein the obligation to protect society would have to be balanced against the newly granted rights of drug abusers. It would be in the interests of all, if people were so motivated that they would not require drugs. This would necessitate the instilling of a sense of purpose and the renewal of a spirit of idealism in the nation. Undoubtedly, drugs deprive people of their human potential. It is a bitter fact that drugs are causing untold harm to the children, communities and the nation. Legalization cannot change this situation (Smith). It would only result in experimentation with drugs by the youth and children, as has been evident with alcohol. Three – fourths of those who use drugs become addicts. Legalization of drugs, per se, is unacceptable and it would have a very harmful effect on the young, while increasing the crime rate. The stability of society would be seriously compromised if drug legalization were to take place (Smith). Furthermore, the drug abuser’s moral values, character and behavior are seriously compromised. Many cigarette smokers have become addicted to smoking. If cocaine were to be legalized, then we would have a large number of cocaine addicts, as the drug would be freely available and at a much lower cost. The capacity to lead a normal and productive life is seriously affected by drug addiction (Smith). With prolonged use, drugs produce self – destructive tendencies, lowering of self – esteem; and render the abuser liable to indulge in violent, anti – social conduct. As such, it is feared that legalization would result in a trebling of drug abusers. It should be borne in mind that those who abuse drugs are irresponsible and display deviant behavior, like destroying relationships and leading a life of crime. Hence, it would be far more preferable to enforce drug laws with greater effort and to alter the attitude of the public towards drug abuse. These initiatives would prevent drug usage from reaching alarming proportions. Question Three Drug related crime is of far greater frequency and gravity than alcohol related crime. In addition, the dangerous effects of drug abuse are far more severe in the case of youth. Consequently, it would be extremely hazardous to legalize drugs. The following discussion establishes this contention. In the year 2007, around 195,700 youth were arrested for violations related to drug abuse. There was a 145% increase in the number of juveniles arrested for drug abuse violations in the period 1990 to 1997. Although, this rate, between the years 1997 to 2007, reduced by 21%, it was twice the rate obtaining in the year 1990 (Crime – Data). As per the estimates of the Office of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, there were approximately 195, 700 arrests in the year 2007 related to drug abuse violations by juveniles. This was out of a total of 2,180,500 juvenile arrests. The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that just 97, 100 of these arrests related to violent crime and 419,000 to property offences (Crime – Data). As such, drug abuse results in a greater incidence of crime and incarceration, in comparison to crimes related to drunkenness. Realizing the gravity of the problem associated with the abuse of drugs, the Obama Administration has allocated around $10 billion. This amount is to be utilized for conducting drug education programs and in order to provide better access to de – addiction facilities for drug addicts (National Drug Control Strategy). The tendency of drugs to alter the behavior of those who use them results in violent crime. In addition, there are a number of illegal activities connected with drug trafficking, which also lead to crime. It has been rightly declared that significant contributors to the crime problem in the US are a lifestyle based on the use of drugs and drug related offences (Shelden). Individuals under the influence of drugs were around 16 times more likely to be arrested and booked for theft and larceny, in comparison to those who were not on drugs. Moreover, drug abusers were 14 timed more likely to be arrested and booked for offenses, like driving in an intoxicated condition and violation of liquor laws. Furthermore, people on drugs were 9 times more likely to be arrested and booked for assault (Shelden). After perusing the statistics available on drug abuse and arrests, it can be surmised that the legalization of drugs cannot be compared with the legalization of alcohol consumption and distribution. Works Cited Clark, Ross. Legalise drugs, Mr Dimbleby? Try telling that to the children neglected by junkie parents. 23 September 2011. 26 September 2011 . "Crime – Data." 2011. 29 September 2011 . Friedman , Samuel R, et al. "Drug Arrests and Injection Drug Deterrence." American Journal of Public Health (2011): 101. 2: 344 – 349. "Harrison Narcotics Tax Act." 1914. "National Drug Control Strategy." 2011. the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. 29 September 2011 . Price, Byron E. Why Drug Legalization Just Won’t Happen. 15 September 2011. 26 September 2011 . Shelden, Randall G. Drugs, Alcohol and Crime. 2006. 29 September 2011 . Smith, Larry. Legalization of Illicit Drugs: Impact and Feasibility. n.d. 26 September 2011 . U.S. Still Trying to Win the War on Drugs After 40 Years of Fighting. 24 September 2011. 26 September 2011 . Read More