Rethinking The War On Drugs Summary
The United States has been dealing with what people call “The war on drugs” for over three decades. Over the years, drug experimentation has become very popular amongst young, middle class Americans. At first, Marijuana was a very common drug to use but as time went on hardcore drug experimentation became the new “thing”. Although the government did crackdown on major drug dealers, they paid little to no attention to the issue. It wasn 't until Nixon called on The War On Drugs.
The war on drugs has always been a very controversial topic especially amongst politicians, and columnists. In the article “Rethinking the War on Drugs” Mark Kleiman, Jonathan Caulkins and Angela Hawken argue that although legalization of drugs sounds like an ideal
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Kleiman, Mr.Caulkins and Mrs. Hawken, the legalization of drugs would be an ideal solution to eliminate the black market but would result in an increase in drug abuse; an increase in drug abuse would lead to many negative societal effects. The authors claim that although the legalization may not be the most effective way to address the drug war they believe that decriminalization would be a probable solution under strict circumstances. They expand they idea of decriminalization by proposing several programs including 24/7, the “carding” program and HOPE. All three programs focus on diminishing drug addiction amongst the jail population. First, the program 24/7 helps people who are in jail for alcohol related crimes. Those who are enrolled in the program are released from jail under the impression that they will stay sober; they are breathalyzed every day, if their results show any signs of alcohol they are immediately sent back to jail. HOPE is a very similar program, it is focused on drugs, probationers would have to call in everyday to make sure they are not getting tested for drugs. The authors claim that programs similar to those would result in less drug use, less violence and a lower incarceration
Bennett Drug Policy And The Intellectuals Analysis
304 Words | 2 PagesAs director of the National Drug Control Policy, William J. Bennett shares his stance on the drug war in “Drug Policy and the Intellectuals”. He addresses the arguments that American’s have proposed in regard to the legalization of drugs. Bennett goes on to say that the justification behind legalizing drugs lacks the seriousness that a topic like this should have. In addition, the results would likely be disastrous. Rather than “taking the profit out of the drug business”, Bennett’ alternative is to make the usage of drugs a less appealing option.
President Richard Nixon And The War On Drugs
356 Words | 2 PagesIn 1970, President Richard Nixon, in response to the drug use coupled with the hippie counterculture of the late 1960s, signed the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) which enacted a method of classifying drugs by categorizing them into five schedules, schedule one considered to be the most dangerous. Shortly following this act, in June of 1971, Nixon declared “The War On Drugs”, famously naming drugs and drug abuse “Public enemy number one”. (History.com, 2016). Following Nixon’s presidency, many presidents and administrations, including Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, have continued the support for The War on Drugs, but where are the results? It seems today that the abuse of drugs is worse than ever before.
President Richard Nixon And The War On Drugs
1195 Words | 5 PagesIn 1970, President Richard Nixon, in response to the drug use coupled with the hippie counterculture of the late 1960s, signed the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) which enacted a method of classifying drugs by categorizing them into five schedules, schedule one considered to be the most dangerous. Shortly following this act, in June of 1971, Nixon declared “The War On Drugs”, famously naming drugs and drug abuse “Public enemy number one”. (History.com, 2016). Following Nixon’s presidency, many presidents and administrations, including Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, have continued the support for The War on Drugs, but where are the results? It seems today that the abuse of drugs is worse than ever before.
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Drugs By Gore Vidal
499 Words | 2 PagesResponse Four In his article, Drugs, Gore Vidal argues that there is a solution to the drug epidemic in America: simply make all drugs legal and sell them at cost. Gore has a particularly compelling argument, and much of that has to due with the rhetorical strategies and techniques he uses. Gore starts his argument off by saying that marijuana is neither addictive or dangerous, and definitely not as dangerous cocaine and heroin. While this article was written in 1970, many Americans feel this way in 2016— that marijuana is not as dangerous as other drugs. Gore, in a way, is aware of his audience, and accommodates them.
The Decriminalization Of Drugs In The United States
1077 Words | 5 PagesFor example, agencies have been established with the sole intent to manage drug use and distribution and technology has been exclusively developed to detect the presence of drugs. Yet, evidence has indicated that such exhaustive efforts have been relatively unsuccessful. First, it has been assumed that drugs have perpetuated violence in society and based on this rationale, it was believed that by the suppressing the pervasiveness of drugs that incidents of violence would simultaneously diminish. However, reality has failed to align with the expectations that had initially been anticipated. Research findings have suggested that the decriminalization of drugs would result in a less adversarial drug market in which conflicts have tended to arise among dealers as well as between dealers and buyers (Common Sense for Drug Policy, 2007, p. 21).
The Pros And Cons Of Sentencing
840 Words | 4 PagesThis model focuses on the individual needs of the offender and in doing so increases their chance of living sober once they reenter society. For example, indeterminate sentencing allows offenders who exhibit good behavior and participate in prison substance abuse programs to be paroled closer to the minimum sentencing term. This means the offender can be released from prison based on conditions set forth by the court. If the offender violates parole by committing another crime or failing to continue substance abuse treatment, they can be returned to prison. Furthermore, offering indeterminate sentencing for offenders who meet the criteria creates prison space thus helping with the ongoing problem of prison overcrowding (Seiter,
Satire Essay On War On Drugs
1020 Words | 5 PagesIn the name of fighting drug abuse, governments unleashed a war on drugs that continues to rage today. Drugs have numerous negative consequences that can result from an addiction, but some can have positive effects when used appropriately and under the care of a healthcare professional. The War on Drugs is a government-led initiative aimed at stopping illegal drug use, distribution, and trade by issuing increased prison sentences for drug-related offenses, and it increased federal funding for drug-control agencies and treatment efforts. Instead, it has resulted in a disproportionate amount of incarcerations of minorities.
Elliot Currie's 'Toward A Policy On Drugs'
341 Words | 2 PagesIn his article, “Toward a Policy on Drugs,” Elliot Currie discusses “the magnitude and severity of our drug crisis” (para. 21), and how “no other country has anything resembling the American drug problem” (para. 21). The best way to describe America’s drug problem is that it is a hole continuously digs itself deeper. America’s drug issues were likely comparable to other country’s at one point in time, but today it can be blamed on the “street cultures” (para. 21) that continue to use and spread the use of illegal drugs. These street cultures transcend the common stereotype of drug users, such as low income communities in cities or welfare recipients, and can be found in every economic class and location. They are groups of people who have
Vices: Miron Analysis
416 Words | 2 Pagesemph{The best thing to do is let people and society make their own decisions. } cite{5} end{quote} Miron begins with a discussion on drug prohibition. Miron tackles two popular arguments that suggest prohibition --- drug use is bad, and prohibition reduces drug use cite{5}. Miron categorizes three different perspectives on the
Counterculture Of The 80's
890 Words | 4 PagesThe use of narcotics like cocaine, claimed many lives and earned widespread coverage by media and news. Following this Nancy Reagan began the “War on Drugs”, a campaign to combat pre-existing drug usage and prevent future
Mass Incarceration Literature Review
1728 Words | 7 PagesThe Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison Program is another attempt to provide better treatment for people who are convicted. The study showed that drug offenders who underwent a treatment program outside of prison had a 26 percent less rate of re-arrest after two years than a control group that was sent to prison (Justice Policy Institute, 2010). Rehabilitative programs like the Second Chance Act and the Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison Program has shown to growth and positive
Opium Dens
1510 Words | 7 PagesThis was a movement meant to lead to a large decline in drug consumption, usage, and distribution among Americans. Thus, effectively driving the crime rate down and promoting a more productive, clean society. Evidently, this “war on drugs” has produced no real results, and has resulted in a boom in the incarceration rates of minorities while the problem becomes ostensibly worse. The war on drugs has no notable positive consequences because they are trying to play whack a mole with 20,000 moles and 1 hammer. When put into that perspective it seems almost foolish to try and solve the issue in that manner yet they keep trying.
Essay On Decriminalisation Of Drugs
1629 Words | 7 PagesWould the decriminalisation and / Legalisation of controlled substances improve or hinder the economic, health and social circumstances of drugs users, their families, communities and society? This essay will briefly outline the current policies on drugs in Ireland and will examine the policies and substance misuse from a European and international perspective; then it will discuss how decriminalisation of drugs and substances can improve or hinder the economic, health and social circumstances of drug users, their families, communities and society in general. Examples of controlled substances in Ireland include cocaine, heroin, methadone, cannabis (full list of controlled substances found in the schedule Misuse of Drugs Act 1977).
Drug Use And Crime: Deviant Behavior
1455 Words | 6 PagesMarijuana, for instance, is a drug that is most widely used in the United States (Thio, 2013, pg. 301). Society is starting to look at this drug as a useful tool in medication as well as a helpful tool in recreational use. The overall use of marijuana is seen to many in society as deviant, regardless
Argumentative Essay On The War On Drugs
865 Words | 4 PagesSome may not be too familiar with the war on drugs and the effects it has had on the society we live in. The war on drugs was started by the Nixon administration in the early seventies. Nixon deemed drug abuse “public enemy number one”. This was the commencement of the war on drugs, this war has lasted to this day and has been a failure. On average 26 million people use opioids.
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