...Drug Prohibition has introduced millions of Americans to lives of crime and violence. Prohibition has multiplied prices on the black market a thousand fold or more, leading drug addicts to commit crimes against the rest of us - and each other - to get the money to support their habits. Prohibition has let punks get rich controlling the drug markets, corrupting law enforcement agencies in the United States and entire governments overseas in the process. Are drug laws supposed to help the addicts? As harmful as using drugs may be to someone, being imprisoned makes matters much worse. And drug peddlers can hardly be prevented from selling adulterated and poisoned drugs that kill their customers - sometimes on purpose - leaving addicts at the mercy of unaccountable and unscrupulous suppliers. Are drug laws supposed to protect the non-drug-using majority from the addicts? As disheartening as it may be to know that another is harming himself with drugs [or alcohol or tobacco] it is even worse to be robbed or burgled by an addict who cannot otherwise afford artificially expensive drugs. Are drug laws supposed to keep drugs away from young people? Black-market prices and profit margins created by drug laws have encouraged sellers to seek customers among the most impressionable and gullible - our children. Indeed, children are the most effective sellers to other children. Those seeking the illegal "thrill" of marijuana are driven into contact...
Words: 934 - Pages: 4
...Should Cannabis be legalised? There has been a lot of debate on whether cannabis should be legalised, there are many people who think it should be but there are also a lot of people who reckon it’s a unacceptable idea. Both sides of the argument are strong as they can support their decision, with facts; therefore the government has a very hard choice to make. I think that cannabis should be legalised because it seems to have a lot of good causes, and even though it would appear to have an unpleasant side to it, my opinion would be it has more good causes than bad. Nowadays most young people experiment with some type of drug, despite the fact they are illegal. The most popular would come across as being Cannabis. Some people see this as being extremely unhealthy and that is why they don’t want it to be legal, but Cannabis doesn’t have any direct harm to the user and it would seem to be the least harmful illegal drug you could use. Cannabis is also now classified as B opposed to C. This wouldn’t have had any effect on the public as the same amounts of people buy it illegally. The reasons I think it should be legalised are; Smoking is legal and the mortality rate and the amount of illnesses smoking causes are a lot higher. Smoking can be a lot more harmful to the body as it can cause Cancer and many sorts of diseases such as, Bronchitis and Emphysema. Cannabis is yet to cause fatal illnesses such as smoking does. The government refuse to make smoking illegal as it brings...
Words: 1354 - Pages: 6
...Shakib Hossain Causal Argument English 191 February 2015 Why the War on Drugs Failed “For every prohibition you create, you also create an underground”. These words by famous musician Jello Biafra may sound prejudiced, but it is the truth we all live and have lived by since the prohibition era. The war on drugs has become a significant issue in today’s society, but people are not completely sure why the war on drugs has failed. In reference to Jello Biafra, the war on drugs is a type of a prohibition, but the real question is how big of an underground has this war created that it has ultimately failed. The start of the war on drugs can officially be dated as far back as 1971 when Richard Nixon declared drug abuse as “public enemy number one”, and he increased the size and presence of federal drug control agencies (Drug Policy Alliance, 2014). Later, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the number of people incarcerated for drug abuse shot up sky high due to his zero tolerance policy, and the unpredicted rise of illicit drug use. When we say the war on drugs has failed, we usually consider that the use of illicit drugs could not be reduced and is on the rise. However, it is also because it is costing more and more lives every day in addition to all the resources used coming out of the taxpayers’ pockets. In short, the war on drugs has failed because the government enforced punishment instead of prevention, which led to creating a black market that increased crime and corruption...
Words: 1553 - Pages: 7
...Prohibition of drugs and alcohol causes crime. Ostrowski a political analyst from the Cato institute, states that drug laws greatly increase the price of illegal drugs, often forcing users to steal to get the money to obtain them. Although difficult to estimate the black market prices of heroin and cocaine, these drugs appear to be many times greater than their pharmaceutical prices. For example, a hospital-dispensed dose of morphine (a drug from which heroin is relatively easily derived) costs only pennies; cocaine costs about a dollar per ounce. It is frequently estimated that a good percentage of all property crime in the United States is committed by drug users so that they can maintain their habits. That amounts to about four million crimes per year and billions of dollars in stolen property. Supporters of prohibition have traditionally used drug-related crime. They have even exaggerated the amount of such crime in the hopes of demonstrating a need for larger budgets. But in recent years, the more astute prohibitionists have notices that drug related crime is in fact drug law related. The fact is, while some researchers have questioned the causal connection between illegal drugs and street crime, many studies over a long period have confirmed what every inner-city dweller already knows: drug users steal to get the money to buy expensive illegal drugs. Studies were reviewed in an article entitled “Narcotics and Crime: An analysis of Existing Evidence for a Causal Relationship...
Words: 897 - Pages: 4
...penalties in state or federal prison. Currently, the only states with legal authorization to medically administer the drug are California and Arizona. Marijuana use should be legalized in all states because the reason for its previous abolition is nonexistent today, research supporting its use is kept hidden from the public, it is safer than most legal drugs, it does not contribute to the use of other drugs, and it proves effective in the medical field. The use of marijuana should be legalized because the government’s reason for prohibiting it does not apply today. According to Charles Schaffer, founder of the Schaffer Library of Drug Policy, “Marijuana was outlawed in 1937 as a repressive measure against Mexican workers who crossed the border seeking jobs during the Depression. The specific reason given for the outlawing of the hemp plant was its supposed violent ‘effect on the degenerate races’” (Schaffer, sec. 1). Government used the prohibition of marijuana as a discriminatory tactic to keep foreigners out of the United States. In outlawing the use of marijuana, the plan backfired – more Mexicans entered with large supplies of the drug. Lawmakers were more interested in restricting immigration than with researching the effects of marijuana on the body. Today, laws established since 1937 prevent illegal immigrants from entering...
Words: 1777 - Pages: 8
...attention and funds on those who use drugs or fight to keep drugs from coming into the United States from other countries? “ We believe the Global War on Drugs is Now Causing More Harm Than Drug Abuse Itself.” That was the half-page headline of a two-page add in The New York Times on June 8th, of 1998. The heading was followed by a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The letter pointed out that “U.N. agencies estimate the annual revenue generated by the illegal drug industry is at $400 billion, roughly eight percent of the total international trade.” It blamed crime corruption, and violence on decades of failed and futile drug war policies. It pleaded for a reexamination of global drug policies in which punitive prohibitions yield to common sense, science, public health, and human rights. This letter was signed by many prominent people...
Words: 1449 - Pages: 6
...America. It has been used for thousands of years. Government prohibited marijuana because it is really addictive and it contains chemicals that can change how the brain works. However, there is a hidden fact behind the reason why marijuana was banned. Marijuana was prohibited not based on scientific and medical evidence, but on racism, personal career advancement and greed. Harry J. Anslinger became the first head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and he declared war on drugs in 1930. He banned opium and cocaine, but he thought prohibiting these two drugs are not enough to collect high budget. So, he decided to add marijuana to the list in order to build his career and his agency. And he also said “Marijuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eyes, step on white men’s shadows and look at a white woman twice (2010).” It was really shocking fact for me. Since I am not familiar with marijuana history or dangers of it, I thought prohibition, of course, was accepted by scientific and medical basis. Also, the fact that Harry J. Anslinger banned marijuana, which could be a good source to help human’s health only for his own career was disappointing. In addition, it is unbelievable...
Words: 1270 - Pages: 6
...The Legalization of Marijuana Do you ever think that maybe our government isn’t as foolproof as we would like to think? Maybe our government isn’t always looking out for people’s health as much as how much money it can make? The fact is, tobacco and alcohol are the two of the leading causes of death in America and are legal. While marijuana has virtually zero deaths yet remains illegal because the government can’t profit from making it legal. Hash, tree, reefer, cannabis, gong, chronic, pot, herb and weed are a few of the common slang terms for the widely known controlled subsistence marijuana. “The term ‘marijuana’ refers to the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant. Marijuana is a tobacco like substance produced by drying the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant. Marijuana contains a natural chemical called THC (delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol) which gives users of the drug a ‘high’ when smoked” (What is Marijuana). Marijuana has several different effects, all of which are not severe or extremely harmful. “Some of the effects of marijuana use include increased heart rate, dryness of the mouth, reddening of the eyes, impaired motor skills and concentration, and frequent hunger” (What is Marijuana). According to Pete Guither, marijuana has been recorded to have been used as far back as 7,000 B.C.E. Its common use at the time was to weave fabrics and make rope, shortly after it was used as a recreational drug. Even though it is illegal now, in 1609 Virginia passed...
Words: 1424 - Pages: 6
...compounds but permits advertising their effectiveness undermines freedom of speech as outlined in the First Amendment. FACTS: Pharmacists sometimes alter the physical form of a drug, or combine various drugs with a technique known as compounding. The process is used to meet the specific needs of a particular patient. The FDA and Modernization Act of 1997 prohibited such pharmacies from promoting and advertising these compounded drugs. The Act, however, did not prohibit them from advertising the effectiveness of the drugs. Western States Medical Center was one of these groups, which advertised effectiveness via the mail and medical conferences. The group filed suit in Federal Court to enjoin the enforcement of the advertising prohibitions as a violation of the first amendment-commercial free speech. RULE OF LAW: Commercial free speech warrants constitutional protection only when it enables consumers to make...
Words: 432 - Pages: 2
...However, the menace of drugs can be fought. Education is the first battle. Children need to be told at home and in school about drugs. People need to be aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem A second approach is to increase police manpower and create effective laws to stop dealers. However the main target should be the user Families and counselors need to talk to children and people at risk. Parents need to look at their children and help them to become responsible. Worthwhile jobs and housing are also needed to give people a role in society. Drug abuse today is a major cause for concern and has a negative effect on society at large. Drug abuse solutions can be viewed from many perspectives. On a national level, solutions are based and discussed in terms of the reduction in supply of drugs. From a social perspective, solutions are usually discussed in terms of prevention, early intervention and treatment. Prevention is better than cure. This adage holds good in fighting drug abuse too. Public education campaigns and stricter laws regarding purchase and use of legal substances are measures that have been adopted by states in the USA The first step is to educate the public, as drugs are still a touchy subject for most Americans. This solution involves shifting the American perspective on the issue of drugs into a whole new light. There would have to be tireless efforts to inform the public on the horrible injustices and blatant failures...
Words: 771 - Pages: 4
...Steven Meginley May 18 2010 Illegal and legal drugs have affected millions of life’s and families all over the world but with in this global conflict the government is really doing more hurt then help. Think about this California makes $14 billion a year in taxes from growth and medicinal use of marijuana this is their number one cash crop. So why isn’t every nation boosting their economy like this? They are spending more money to try and keep it out then they would make. The government lets cops bust open doors break down walls shatter windows flip tables bed ect. And take down and handcuff any one in the presents of a gram or more of marijuana medicinal or not. This plant has been in mankind since the start. Hemp the natural plant that marijuana buds from makes stronger thread for cloths and more durable paper also, burns slower then wood but the lumber companies wouldn’t want this to get out. Smoking marijuana pot is about as dangerous for a fit person as exercise. 400,000 people die yearly from tobacco products and 100,000 die from alcohol a year. No one in history has died from over dose of THC the chemical in marijuana that gives the high Legalization of drugs would take criminals and hard drugs off the corner so that our children of the world couldn’t obtain and get hooked at such a young age. Marijuana is so embraced in the media that more and more people are accepting it as normal or acceptable. Marijuana use helps many factors including stress, depression and...
Words: 573 - Pages: 3
...International 101 Research Paper - Assignment 7 25 November 2013 Drug War: World Issue? Question: Why do certain countries try to stop the drug war and drug trade when it is such a high commodity all over the world? An important part of our world today, which has a high fascination in cultures all over the world is drugs. Drugs have been around for a while but they have not been regulated in any way by many governments. Amsterdam has made marijuana legal which taxes it which goes to the government. TV shows revolve around the use of drugs in society; reality and fiction. Although drugs are something that multiple people, politicians, and government officials all have an opinion on. Even suburban parents and the teenage stoners have a stance on drug trade or drug regulation. Which prompts the question, why do certain countries try to stop the drug war and drug trade when it is such a high commodity all over the world? Studies have show, as displayed in the text of America's Holy War explains that tax policies and property and crime directly correlate with drug trade and problems within a modern society. America is an example of bad drug policy whereas other places, for example Europe, have more liberal drug policy and they live more peaceful lives. The contamination of drugs can spread AIDs and many other life threatening diseases. We spend tax dollars to keep drugs out yet they still find a way back in the American border because they are such a commodity and addiction...
Words: 1716 - Pages: 7
...Weed Between the Lies John Doe BCOM/275 November 10, 2013 Linda Whiteman Weed Between the Lies Many heated debates whether marijuana should or should not pass a law legalizing marijuana for recreational use by the government stemmed from 1937, when Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Stamp act that heavily taxes cannabis, regulates, and introduced harsh penalties to those who did not adhere to it. Marijuana, also known as, cannabis is a greenish and brown mix of dried flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves. A substance that is smoked, consumed, or brewed in teas and some of the effects, are hallucinogenic, euphoria, muscle relaxer, and increase of appetite. There are thousands of articles that can be found on the Internet that support, and condemn the legalization of marijuana. James C. Backstrom, wrote an article titled, “Marijuana, America’s Most Dangerous Drug.” Backstrom is against the legalization of marijuana. However, marijuana should be legalized for recreational use. Dangerous Drug Backstrom claims that one of the most dangerous drugs is marijuana because it is the most illicitly used drug in America (Backstrom, 2010). Claiming that a substance is dangerous just because it is the most commonly used drug is a fallacious argument. According to the CDC, 80,000 deaths are related to alcohol, 443,000 to nicotine, and 14,800 to painkillers a year (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). There have been no official reports of marijuana-induced deaths...
Words: 774 - Pages: 4
...The War on Drugs: What is America Fighting For? Sandra Gailer COM/172 September 25, 2013 + The War on Drugs: What is America Fighting For? With the number of arrests having more than tripled in the past 25 years, and billions of dollars spent annually to fund the war on drugs, the United States (U.S.) should consider decriminalizing and regulating illegal drugs to reduce the number of people incarcerated and produce tax revenue from distribution. Since it was first declared by President Nixon in 1971 (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.) the drug war proves to be causing America more harm than good. With no end in sight, the government should not be focusing on drug prevention but rather drug policy reformation. The US has been funding the war on drugs for decades. Although the intentions behind declaring the war are to help Americans, the reality is the war continues to be causing more harm than good. America has spent at least $1 trillion dollars on the war so far (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.). In 2010 alone, the federal government spent over $15 billion dollars funding the war, that is at a rate of about $500 per second (Drug War Clock, n.d.). With the amount of debt increasing over a billion dollars every day, our government should be directing efforts towards creating revenue instead of continuing to spend money and increasing taxes. One way to accomplish generating revenue would be if some of the drugs that are considered illegal were decriminalized and regulated by the federal...
Words: 1187 - Pages: 5
...Crystal Gleason Professor Kilguss Comparative Government April 18, 2014 Sweden: Not so Sweet on Drugs Located in Northern Europe, Sweden lies on the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula sharing boundaries with neighboring Denmark, Finland and Norway. Officially known as the kingdom of Sweden, by size it is the third largest country in the European Union with a population of 9.6 million. Sweden follows a parliamentary democratic form of government where the people elect representatives into parliament and they in turn elect a prime minister to lead the group. This Nordic country is known for its neutrality in times of conflict, and avoids making allies in times of peace. Sweden is an export-oriented country that’s economy is reliant on trade of a variety of goods with Europe and the rest of the world. The land of IKEA, meatballs, vodka and Vikings is often looked to as a role model due to its successful welfare policies and strong economy. Sweden takes care of its people with a cradle to the grave system, making sure all of its citizens have access to healthcare, higher education, and retirement benefits. The United States could benefit from looking at the successes of Sweden’s no tolerance approach to drugs. A recent news article from The Local titled, “Sweden’s Tough Drug Laws Leaves addicts behind” highlights Sweden’s zero tolerance approach towards drug use and its impact that it has had on the country. Sweden has some of the toughest drug laws...
Words: 984 - Pages: 4
