Legalization of Heroin and Cocaine in the United Kingdom - Coursework Example

Legalization of Heroin and Cocaine in United Kingdom The international organization is facing a number of challenges in the global age, of which one of the most challenging ones is the persistence of organized crime existing in society. In fact it has been observed that the problem of organized crime has been on the rise in the international market since the beginning of the 1990s and with time it the problem has only escalated. Prior to this period the problem of ‘organized crime’ was one which was confined only to certain countries in the world, while most of the nation states were free of any illegal activities in relation to such markets. Yet with the establishment of a more liberal and globalised world it is being observed that the organized crime is becoming a reality facing almost all nation states. The question that now arises is what exactly is meant by the phrase ‘organized crime’. Organized crime is a phrase that is used by the international community to describe the mobility of the criminals across international borders and the existence of the illegal markets or the international black market which is organized to mobilize goods and services across the world to different countries. The discussion that has been undertaken in this paper aims at looking at the state of the “organized crime” in the country of the United Kingdom, where the main focus will be on the sale of drugs such as heroin and cocaine in the illegal markets of the nation state. The paper focuses on the experienced of the people of the United Kingdom, where the problem of drug addiction has become a major social challenge that is being faced. This subject has been chosen as the topic of discussion in the paper as the other problem that comes under the heading of organized crime, that is large criminal groups functioning in an area, is not a serious cause of concern in the English society, while the problem of sale of illegal products especially drugs is one of the most important social predicament existing in the society today. The problem of illegal sales of banned products is a harsh reality that is being faced by almost all the nation states today. Some of the scholars believe that the problem is worse in the developing nation states while the developed nation states are not that susceptible to such issues, but when one looks at the statistics, this argument fails to hold. The international community as a whole has been anxious about the problem of transportation and sale of illegal products in the international black market, and although laws and policies have been put into place to deal with the issue the impact has not been as effective as desired (Caulkins, J. And Reuter, P. 2009). In case of the United Kingdom, figures reflect that even though they have been developed with time a long term political knowledge on the subject and there are in place political and administrative strategies which look into addressing the issues. There have been substantive investments made into the control and regulation of the substances, United Kingdom still has the largest number of drug dependent population in the European continent. It is the leader in the use of drug sale and abuse among the European leaders. The study which has been undertaken by Professor P Reuter and Alex Stevens looks into the problem of drugs in the country and analyze and study the policy that is in the country to deal with these problems, and they have highlighted the fact that the there has been a marked increase in the drug abuse that is taking place in the country over the past two decades. The paper that they have developed will be utilized as a base for facts on which the discussion will be evolved. The discussion that has been undertaken in this paper focuses on the role of the drug addiction in relation to the organized crime in the nation state of United Kingdom and look into the policies that are in place. The latter part of the paper will focus on the ongoing debate that is in place in the country whether the use of drugs should be legalized in the nation state, where the discussion will focus on the pros and cons of such a policy implementation in the country. This will be carried out to ensure that the understanding of the issue is developed in a holistic manner where all the factors are taken into consideration. The studies of the English society over the past two decades reflect that the United Kingdom has the largest level of drug dependency and use for recreational reasons of drugs in Europe. The problem of drug abuse in the society has been becoming more serious since the last decade of the twentieth century, and the paper that was developed by Reuter and Stevens records that the number of heroin users in the country increased in the country from a figure of 5,000 in the year of 1975 to an estimate of 281,000 in England and more than 50,000 in the country of Scotland n the year of 2007. On the more positive side it has been observed that since the coming of the new millennium, the figures of the drug users and abusers in the country has stabilized, although the fact that the figures are the highest that have been recorded in the history of the nation. Figures reflect that the almost a quarter of the people born between the years of 1976 and 1980 have used heroin at least once by the year of 2005. On a more positive side it has been observed that the number of the people who belong to the younger generation have decreased their use of Cannabis (which is more commonly known as marihuana or marijuana, which is also a psychoactive drug) in the recent decade although it is still recorded to be around 45 % in the country in the year of 2007. The studies which have studied the use and abuse of drug in the younger generations of the country, reflect that the use of other drugs for recreational purposes such as LSD, ecstasy and others have fallen to a large extent in the recent years but in comparison the use of cocaine in the country has increased significantly, especially among the youth of the country. Yet the fact that has to be realized is that most of the people who use drugs for recreational purposes usually do so for a small period of time, especially in the case of the illegal drugs which have be procured from the illegal market which is beyond the control of the government. Scholars and experts have emphasized on the fact that the users who use these drugs only for a short period of time only for occasional recreational use are not the main cause of concern in relation to drugs problems prevalent in the British society. Most of the problems that are prevalent in the society in relation to drug abuse is mainly a result of the abuse of drugs by a small group of people who become dependent on the class A drugs (which is mainly inclusive of the two drugs: Heroin and Cocaine) and usually in social issues and problems of death, illnesses, crime and other such problems. In the year of 2005, there were recorded 1, 644 drug related deaths in the country of UK. In fact in the year of 2005 , and thereafter UK is the country in Europe which has the second highest death toll record due to drug abuse, which has been calculated at around a 34 per million people of the country in the population over the age of 16. When one is using injections to use drugs, one is exposed to a number of disease which can be transferred through contaminated injections, yet the rate of HIV in the injection drug users in the country of UK is comparatively lower and was recorded at the figure of 1.6% of drug users test positive for HIV, as recorded in the year of 2007, and these figures were comparatively lower than the figures that were recorded in the rest of Europe. However, 42% of injectors in England and 64% of injectors in Scotland are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis C in the same year and this is a cause of concern among scholars and medical practitioners as it is a leading cause of death for those who are addicted to drugs in the country. Thus, there has been a need felt to ensure that the use and abuse of drugs be curtailed in the nation. The study of the society in the current day scenario reflects that the use of recreational drugs which was once considered an activity that some teenagers undertook in small numbers, has become an experience that all young people must go through, as the use of drugs for recreational purposes seems to have gained more popularity in the recent times. This fact of the illegal usage and abuse of drugs at least once for recreational purposes can be clearly understood if one was to measure the use of drugs in accordance to the percentage of various birth cohorts. It has been observed that of the people who were born between the years of 1961 and 1970, in other words the age group of 35 years to 44 years the usage is less than one quarter of those who belong to the age group of 30- 34. In comparison to this the figure has increased to over 50 percent for those who belong to the age group of 25 years to 29 years, which reflects that the use and abuse of drugs in the younger generation is becoming a more common and frequent phenomenon. Scholars such as Aust and Smith in their studies reflect that the in relation to the ethnicity factor in case of recreational drug use, people of the Asian origin have a comparatively lower rate at about 5 % while the people from the white and black origin have a similar high level of addiction rate which is around 12 %. Drug use is thus becoming more prevalent among the general youth population, not only among the socially and economically disadvantaged.  It has been found by studies that there is a developmental association between drug use and crime. In fact those that have committed crimes before age 14 have earlier onset of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and cocaine use and a lower first age of heroin problems. This would therefore reinforce the fact that there are strong associations between drug use and crime (Best et. al., 2001). There is also an accumulating proof of the fact that there is a link between drug use and suicide among adolescents (Wilcox, 2004). One also has to however understand the fact that in spite of the large volume of research addressing the substance crime association, the casual relationship between these two has yet to be empirically established. Illicit drugs provoke greater controversy, with few disinterested accounts of their pleasures and perils (Griffin, 1993). There are those that seek to attribute the unprecedented increase in recreational drug se as being deeply embedded in social process since drug is id both about risk taking and also about using time-out to self-medicate the impact of stress and strains of both success and failures in modern times (Parker, Measham, and Aldridge, 1998).   Literature is divided on the exact nature of use of drugs in the young people groups in modern times. A study placed drug use in the framework of popular youth culture and suggested that the gradual normalisation was due to social change and a more challenging routes to adulthood thereby suggesting that extended teenage years, such as more youths attending university extends the phase of dependence and lack of responsibility (parker, et. Al, 1998). The research also found that the availability of drugs remained high also contributing to extended use. Others found clear signs of an increase in recreational drug use with lifetime trying to mix with their generation and attributed growing drug culture to the concept of clubbing. It was something that those in their twenties did in their leisure time. In this context comes into picture the theory of normalization, which was disregarded by some on grounds of the fact that normalization theory presents an over emphasized view of drug use when in reality the majority of young people refrain from using illicit drugs (Shiner and Newburn, 1996). Today there is a debate that is ongoing in the country in relation to the legalization of drugs in the country of UK. The country of UK has in place a well developed policy in relation to drug abuse, but there is an ongoing debate in the country about whether the use of drug should be legalized. In the coming year of 2011, the drug strategy that is in place in the country will be coming up for review, and a number of scholars as well as medical practitioners are supportive of the legalization of the sale of cocaine and heroin in the nation. The role of the international community and the UN is expected to play a major role in the development of the new drug policy. A number of scholars from different fields such as economics, medicine and politics are vying for the legalization of drugs in the country of UK. There are various reasons that they have put forth for the support of their argument and they believe that it would be a better method of ensuring reduction of drug abuse in society. Sir Ian Gilmore, who is an eminent part of the Royal College of Physicians’, while making his valedictory sermon, accounted for the fact that the illegalization and the ban of the use of drug in the society has had a negative effect, which were quite contrary to the ones desired, and not only did it not reduce the burden of the state in relation to the medical field but also led increase in the criminal activity in the country. He was quite supportive for the adoption of a more innovative approach. Economists in the country are also highly supportive of the legalization of the drug use in the nation state as they are of the belief that such activity will allow for a better investment of the state funds, which are otherwise diverted into maintenance of law. Studies reflect that in the past decade or so the government has spent over a hundred billion pound on ‘punitive’ system, and the result has not been very positive. The government in the country has to realize that the role of the government should be focused on regulating the harm that is caused by the drug use and abuse in society, and it should look into the prevention of that rather than focusing on the rehabilitation of the addicts (BBC News). If the source is tackled, the problem will cease to exist. It would also be helpful in cutting crimes, as it would allow for the people who need to use this to avail of them in a legalized manner and the overall crime rate in the country would be lower. The medical practitioners are also highly supportive of the legislation of the drugs such as cocaine and heroin which are Class A drugs, as they believe that the NHS would then be able to cure those who are addicted to drugs through their use (Duke, K. 2006). The medical scholars also are of the belief that if the drugs are legalized then the number of people who get addicted to it may reduce and the number of people exposed to HIV will also fall in number which will have a positive effect on the overall medical system of the country. The entire process will become more structured, and the number of people getting infected by injections will reduce considerably which will help control spread of diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV. Scholars have also argued that the legalization of the drug will help the government keep a track of all the drug users and sellers and it will be able to control the overall situation in a more significant manner (Globe and Mail). Finally, some scholars are of the belief that if the drugs are legalized then there can be more awareness spread among the people n the country and once the people are aware of the effects of the drugs, they themselves will not use the drug, which would help in the reduction of the overall usage in the country. Yet at the same time there has to be realized that there are scholars and people who believe that the legalization of the use of drugs, especially Class A drugs, will have a negative impact on the population and will lead to an increase in the drug addiction and abuse problem in the country. In relation to this, a home office spokesperson said that- “Drugs are controlled because they are harmful.” (The Sunday Herald) The director of the think-tank Civitas Mr.David Green in relation to the issue commented that if the use of drugs was to be legalized in the country then it will only result in allowing people to use it even more and would only result in increase in the use of drugs in the society. He looked into the reasons which affect the use of drugs in society and said that the main reason for drug abuse in society is due to dysfunctional life, and the legalization of the drug would only have a negative effect as it would make access to the drugs easier. In fact he laid emphasis on the fact that the concept that legalization of drugs would is completely misguided. He commented that he failed to understand and comprehended how the legalization would help the situation but believed that it would in fact affect the entire situation in an adverse manner. continuing with this he commented that the legalization would only make the people use drugs in a more rapid manner and would affect the health of the entire population in general in a negative manner (Borland S2010) In fact scholars are of the belief that if drug use is legalized then, the people will have easier access to them and this would only make the problem worsen in the long run. Thus, there is felt that the drug use should not be legalized but a more harsh punishment routine should be adopted for the violators of the drug policy that in place in the country today. References: Aust, R. and Smith, N 2003, Ethnicity and drug use: Key findings from the 2001/2002 British Crime Survey, Findings 209, London: Home Office BBC News, Legalize Cocaine says Lib Dem MP, accessed on November 16, 2010 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_politics/1942743.stm Best, D., Man , L. H., Gossop, M., Harris‌, J., Sidwell, C., Strang, J. 2001, Understanding the Developmental Relationship Between Drug Use and Crime: Are Drug Users the Best People to Ask?’ Addiction research and theory. 9(2). Pp151-164  Borland S2010, Legalize cocaine and heroin to cut crime and improve health says top doctors, Mail Online, accessed on November 16, 2010 at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303590/Prof-Ian-Gilmore-Legalise-heroin-cocaine-cut-crime-improve-health.html Caulkins, J. And Reuter, P. 2009 Towards a harm-reduction approach to enforcement’ Safer Communities Volume 8 Issue 1 Duke, K. 2006, Out of crime and into treatment? The criminalization of contemporary drug policy since Tackling Drugs Together, Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 13(5), 409–415 Globe and Mail, Toronto formally endorses harm reduction on drug use, accessed on November 16 2010 at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/the-rising-trend-against-the-war-on-drugs/article1688322/ Griffin, C. 1993, Representations of youth: The study of youth and adolescence in Britain and America. Cambridge: Polity Press.  Parker, H., Measham, F. and Aldridge, J. 1998, Illegal Leisure: The Normalisation of Adolescent Recreational Drug Use. London: Routledge  Shiner, M and Newburn, T. 1996, The Youth Awareness Program: An evaluation of a peer Education Drugs Project. London: Central Drugs Prevention Unit, Home Office  The Sunday Herald, Call for heroin and cocaine to be legalised in bid to halve deaths accessed on November 16, 2010 at http://www.heraldscotland.com/call-for-heroin-and-cocaine-to-be-legalised-in-bid-to-halve-deaths-1.907068 Wilcox, H. C., 2004, Epidemiological Evidence on the Link Between Drug Use and Suicidal Behaviors Among Adolescents, Journal of Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent psychology. 13(2). Pp27-30  Read More