Drugs and War on Drugs - Essay Example

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the history as well as analyze the effectiveness of controversial war on drugs. Various methods tosuccessfully fight this global issue have also been discussed here. Efficiently confronting the drug problem involves both preventing the issue from arising through drug eradication and military involvement, as well as by providing remedial solution to the problem through different methods of treatment. A study on drug trade shows the role played by colonization in the growth of international opium and cocaine trades and the essay analyzes this. Furthermore, an analysis of the ways in which conflict and wars play an important role in establishing a drug market have also been discussed. Introduction:  In the United States, drugs first came into use reportedly during the 1800s. During the time of the American Civil War, opium as well as cocaine started gaining popularity. In the post-war era, Coca was commonly used as a constituent element in several health drinks. In1906, Morphine was discovered and it was basically used for medical purposes. Doctors made use of Heroin for treating respiratory diseases, and these treatments proved to be successful in most cases. Moreover, they prescribed Morphine as a common pain reliever. The demand for Cocaine increased as the era of junk food and soft drinks was rolling by, especially so in case of Coca-Cola, which used Cocaine as one of its main ingredients. However, these drugs were being misused and the local governments started to prohibit opium dens and opium imports. Additionally, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 required all physicians to precisely label their medicines and drugs were not considered as harmless remedies for pains and aches. 1) The War on Drugs: In 1914, The Harrison Narcotics Act was passed, which is the first federal drug policy of the United States. The act was strictly enforced and it controlled the manufacture and trade of cocaine, marijuana, morphine and heroin. Moreover, physicians who prescribed drugs to addicts, were severely punished by being thrown in jails or paying high fines, especially in the period between 1915 and 1938. So, it can be discerned that through this federal drug policy, the government basically targeted pharmacists and physicians. Furthermore, in 1930, the Treasury Department formulated the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, which would later on shape the American view of drug policies. Various records and data show that drugs were gradually viewed as more offensive in the following years. In 1951, The Boggs Act radically increased the severity of punishment awarded against the use of marijuana. In 1956, Narcotics Control Act was passed, which proved to be one of the most strongly enforced acts during the time. In order to make the punishment system more effective, discretion of probation and suspended sentences was removed. Parole was rendered to those who were only convicted for the possession of drugs, however for those who were caught selling heroin and other drugs to minors, the only option was death penalty. A slinger criticized the judges for being easy on drug dealers and suggested longer minimum sentences. He established a penalizing drug policy with a spotlight on drug law enforcement.  The Federal Bureau of Narcotics used propaganda also as a preventative measure. They brought awareness to the people through facts such as marijuana being responsible for bizarre cases of madness, sex crimes and murder. There occurred a lot of horrifying incidents as a result of drug abuse and several people suffered in its wake. During the 1940s and 1950s, people simply did not believe in these incidents and thought them to be make-believe. This resulted in the former failing to heed to the government’s caution about drugs and falling victim to drug abuse on a larger scale. However, the 1960s gave rise to a rebellious movement, which aimed at popularizing the use of drugs. The demand for drugs in America reached its peak during this period. The Johnson Administration of Johnson, in response to a sharp rise in drug abuse, approved the Narcotics Addict Rehabilitation Act in the year 1966. As per the act, narcotic addiction was considered as a mental illness. The law acknowledged that the illness concept of alcoholism will also apply to drug addiction. However, the use of drugs was still considered to be a crime. The act did not have much impact since the small amount of financial support that was appropriated for cure could not meet the increasing requirement for drugs in the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, this act paved the way for federal expenditures on the treatment of drug abuse. In the following years, war on drugs was declared by President Richard Nixon.  He proclaimed that the number one public enemy of the United States was drug abuse, and he further showed his firm resolve against the abuse of drugs through both the demand and supply fronts.  Furthermore, Nixon formulated several drug policies and these reflected both the restraint view as well as the illness caused by the addiction. Nixon was responsible for the first major federal funding for healing programs. In 1971, the government financed the new, extremely controversial, never tried before methadone maintenance program. In the same year he addressed Congress and stated that people will be ready to take risks in order to meet demand, so long as the demand exists. Therefore, he proclaims that all measures taken to eradicate drugs are bound to fail. In the year 1973, the Drug Enforcement Agency was formulated. They started Operation Intercept that forced Mexico to control and restrict the number of people who cultivated marijuana. The government of the United States exhausted millions of dollars in order to close up the border. The bond between Mexico and the United States started deteriorating, as large amounts of the crops that were headed for America, rotted while waiting at the border. But it was impossible to close the borders completely, and the drug smugglers still managed to import marijuana and they flourished under the ever increasing demands for the crop.  In 1977, President Carter demanded decriminalization of marijuana. The drug policy of Carter focused on the supply side, with most of the funds going to eradication and interdiction programs. Reagan’s demand side measures focused on being strict on the usage of drugs. The plan became recognized as the “zero tolerance” program, in which punitive measures against users were enforced. The Anti-Drug Abuse of 1986 held the drug user fully responsible and answerable to any kind of punishment that awaits them. Drug users were to be put on trial for possession and penalized accordingly.  Although some grants were provided for drug treatment, the rehabilitative efforts were not sufficient to meet the increasing amount of drug abuse. Even though Clinton could not significantly modify the direction of American drug policy, he presented some novel proposals, which appeared to be quite effective. Clinton supported Community Action Programs and also grass roots organizations in order to participate in the demand front of the drug war. However funds were allocated to prevention of usage of drugs, education and awareness programs regarding drugs as well as treatment for it. So, the prospective of the programs could not completely be realized.        2). Countermeasures in the War on Drugs: Several people belonging to law enforcement agencies as well as the US military, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Customs Enforcement applaud the US strategy, “but critics say militarizing the drug war in a region fraught with tender democracies and long-corrupt institutions can stir political instability while barely touching what the U.N. estimates is a $320 billion global illicit drug market” (Mendoza, 2013).   One constant problem is that in several neighboring countries of the US, the police are so weak institutionally and also corrupt, that governments seek the help of militaries in order to fight drug traffickers, which frequently results in grave violence. In order to fight this issue, militaries are trained for combat, while police are taught how to effectively enforce laws. It is unfortunate that militaries have to be concerned with what are basically law enforcement engagements, but the governments has no choice but to do so for the sake of the citizens. The United States Defense Department has therefore, spent huge amounts on military contracts. “In the face of the unsuccessful efforts of law enforcement agencies (including the coast guard) to staunch the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States, Congress and the public have been demanding that the military increase its role in the nation’s anti-drug campaign” (Mabry 1988). The major advantage from the side of military is that it provides intelligence data and more logistic support. In 1988, the Congress approved to provide the military with the powers of seizure, search and arrest outside the area of United States. Drug rehab is an inexplicable and bewildering procedure for addicts, thus a journey that has no evident conclusion. On the other hand, it is a ray of hope for yet others who are more understanding and ready to cope. Drug violence is a serious issue in the present world and it often turns out to be quite fatal. Instance of drugs and other addictive materials include heroin, cocaine, alcohol and marijuana. The method by which drug rehab may be carried out most efficiently is by being rid of the addictiveness by engaging in other activities. Various centers of detoxification exist in different states of the world, in order to care for the victims of drug abuse. Drug eradication is a method which lasts for a few days and it is the right treatment choice for a person who is addicted to drugs and many other injurious substances. Drug eradication must not be performed by the drug addicted person himself, as it is an extremely risky and difficult process, and therefore, should be done by skilled professionals. Eradication centers for outside patient are a suitable treatment choice for those seeking to engage in alcohol eradication or drug eradication. Therapy sessions, group support, contact to twelve step plans etc constitute a necessary element of the treatment program in the outside patient drug eradication centers. “There are long term and short-term treatment options for drug addiction. In the worst-case scenarios, one will have to seek assistance from the latter. The rehabs specialize in allopathic treatment and holistic approaches” (Drug Addiction Explained, 2013) A treatment choice which is quite similar in nature to the outside patient drug eradication plan is midway living. Here, addicted persons are made to live in a drug free home along with several other addicted persons who are similarly trying to maintain sobriety. It is an outstanding method by which a drug addict may learn how to live a positive life. Moreover, there are eradication centers for inside patients also who have suffered substance violence. These may exist for either prolonged term or a short period of time. As a part of domestic patient treatment method, the person who is suffering from material abuse is required to live in a facility. During that time he is abstained from using any type of substance that makes him lose control over his mind. Examples of these substances include prescription alcohol, drugs as well as illicit drugs. The time throughout which a patient has to stay at such eradication centers usually differs from one center to the other. On the other hand, achievement depends mainly on the readiness of the patient to work to help his body and mind get rid of addictive matters and opening his life anew. 3). Colonization and the Drug Trade: Cocaine and Opium provide the answer to UK’s trade trouble with China, and it has replaced silver as the currency of deal with the Chinese. The British colonialist in India managed to turn the drug trade into a largely, lucrative management monopoly. The trade of opium became so profitable that other Europeans quickly joined UK in forcing China to be open to overseas trade. Whereas UK restricted the transport, sale and production of Indian opium, the U S held monopoly on the international sale of Cocaine and opium from Turkish to China. Considering the shocking influences that the opium deal had on china, the Imperial Government of China in 1729 forbade drug use by an Imperial act.  On the other hand, the management was too corrupt and weak to implement its own act.  The government's final effort to prevent the dealing of opium led to the wars of opium in the period of 1839 and 1842. “In the Opium Wars era, Britain subdued the Chinese population with Indian opium; made tons of money; and took over Chinese territory with humiliating unequal treaties” (Hays, 2008). Later, the Japanese and Russians engaged in the manufacturing north, European nations recognized treaty ports on the Chinese coast to develop China's labor and resources, and lastly, Japan pillaged China before and throughout Second World War. The outcomes of the wars of opium were double sided. Firstly, China had to pay the successful UK millions regarding to war compensation. Secondly, it broke the back of several efficient confrontations by the government of China aligned with the trade of drugs. The CIA then turned into the front line of America's anti-Communist movement.  It located mediators in planned arrangements around the world to trade with pressure against financial interests of the nation. This movement also had a crash on the global drug trade. The office of Strategic Services, predecessor of the CIA, created deals with several insalubrious groups, for example the Sicilian Mafia, to destroy or limit the effect of communism in Europe. Paradoxically, the Corsican Sicilian and the Mafia underworld played a main function in the expansion of Europe's heroin traffic after the war, and resulted in majority of  heroin being smuggled into America. In addition, the study demonstrates the participation of Western nations in the trade of drug that is explained as the Golden Triangle. “The KMT effort in the Golden Triangle also involved the US Central Intelligence Agency: this was the first in a series of clandestine CIA operations against undesirable regimes in the Third World, and it was later to be followed by similar missions in Tibet, Laos, the Congo, Angola, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Nicaragua” (Lintner and Mai, 2000). The production of opium in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, accounted for 75% of heroin imported in the West, and almost 50% of the heroin imported in the US, and it could not flourish without the help of CIA. The initial European journey to Asia also marks the start of their participation in the trade of opium in new areas. As Portuguese captains first ventured across the Indian Ocean throughout the beginning of 16th century, they understood the potential of opium.  Even though the Europeans were the first to venture into the trade, it was the British who lastly finished the alteration of opium from luxury products into a huge commodity. In the short-term, an association of the merchants of Indians up the Ganges River at Patna formed a monopoly, which proved to be more profitable than the opium trade of Bengal, making cash advances to farmers and advertising the processed opium to British, Dutch as well as French merchants. Throughout the 19th century, Southeast Asia practiced a flowing together of socio-economic services supply, demand and state plan that extended its whole opium trade and the quantity of European authority. Firstly, the migration of Chinese to Southeast Asia accelerated the order for drugs during the 19th century, making a significant market of wage employees with the means and inspiration for opium smoking. Pressed for incomes to economics public works, the colonial governments recognized opium farms and leased these income deals to overseas merchants in china. Conclusion: This essay talks about mainly three topics which include the war on drugs, countermeasures in the war on drugs and immigration as well as the dealing of drugs. After the Civil War of America, drugs became very popular and were commonly used and abused. War on Drugs is an expression which is normally applied to a campaign of ban and foreign military assistance and military interference undertaken by the US government, with the support of contributing states, in order to curb the abuse of drugs and its unlawful dealing as well as bring awareness to the citizens about its harmful effects. Works Cited Mendoza, Martha. (2013). US Military Expands its Drug War in Latin America. Mabry, Donald. (1988). Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs. Drug Addiction Explained. (2013). Hays, Jeffrey. (2008). Opium Wars in China. http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=56 Lintner, Bertil and Chiang Mai. (2000). The Golden Triangle Opium Trade: An Overview. Read More