research paper

WAR ON DRUGS 1

Impact of the War on Drugs on Society

Irving Toruno

Florida International University

11/08/2020

Impact of the War on Drugs on Society

Executive Summary

The war on drugs, previously an initiative of President Nixon of the United States, intending to reduce the use and trade of drugs lawfully established as illegal, has evolved to become a global initiative. In the United States, the initiative is under the U.S. federal government, with military intervention and drug prohibition. Though initialized with legitimate reason, the war on drugs has received global backlash on its impacts on society's socio-economic and political pillars. The primary goals for establishing the war on drugs have barely been met, almost half a century later. The consequent destruction in society is, however, rampant. The tensions that have been created between nations, particularly the United States and the countries south of the United States, have been the premise of destructive dogmatic differences; not only among the leaders of the countries but also among either citizenship (Cooper, 2015; Olives, 2015; Zarrielo & Gray; 2014). This paper discusses the evolution of the American War on Drugs, with a major emphasis on the policies designed and their consequent impacts on the American society, and in the American society

Introduction

While the primary objective of the war against drugs remains imperative in the United States, the techniques employed in the fight against drugs have raised issues, both in public and government. The war against drugs has been famed as an initiative driven by prejudices and discrimination within the United States. Racial discrimination, political involvement, and social discrimination have been a major concern in the war against drugs. Communities of color within the states have suffered due to prejudice in the war against drugs. The war against drugs has been enforced more vigorously and unlawfully among these communities, particularly the Black and the Latino communities of the United States (Baum, 1996). The drug enforcement agency has shifted the focus of the war against drugs to becoming subjective to a part of the society (Jacques, 2017). Higher arrests and augmented incarceration cases among low-income earners in the urban centers and towards these two communities (Kuzmarov, 2009). This is despite the universality of drug dependency. Statistics indicate that about 80% of persons incarcerated for drug crimes in the United States federal prisons are from the two communities (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.). The prison sentences of drug criminals are also longer on average than of other Americans. These numbers raise significant concern for the public on the validity and transparency of the war against drugs.

Pre-existing Polices, Policy Options, and Research

The main policies generated to propel the War on Drugs include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) institution, increased arrests and incarceration in the country, and increased sentences. Arrests resulting from offenses related to drugs after the war institution on drugs rose by 126% compared to arrests for other offenses, which only increased by 26% within the country in the 1980s (Austin & McVey, 1989). However, these arrests and incarceration were disproportionately targeting African Americans and other non-white communities of the United States society. De facto, as later brought to light by John Ehrlichman, a member the counsel to President Nixon, was to criminalize the acts of the black community and other non-white communities and their leadership structures in the society (Lopez, 2016). The incarceration rates increased at such a high rate that the government needed extra prison facilities, leading to the introduction and consequent blooming of the for-profit prison industry. The incarceration rates in the United States rose to the highest in the world and still is, with about 1.5 million annual arrests resulting from drug offenses (Lynch, 2012).

The war on drugs resulted in disparities in the length of sentencing. In 1986, for instance, the federal law of the 100:1 sentencing ratio for possession of crack against powder cocaine was introduced. In reality, the probability of a black man having a crack is higher than the likelihood of a white man possessing the same. Still, the situation is reversed compared to powder cocaine, as powder cocaine was higher on the price scale and hardly found in the streets. Therefore, the sentencing ratio policy resulted in lengthened sentencing for the black community compared to the white community (Blumstein, 2003). The wave effect of these policies was increased prejudice and force in the black community's arrests, as it was depicted as the home of illegal drugs and the reason for the illegal drugs' success.

Conclusion

The use and distribution of illegal drugs in the United States have barely reduced, despite the funds pumped into the war on drugs. This is depicted by the reducing street value of drugs, which indicates increased supply and increased demand in the illegal drug market (Jacques,2017). Therefore, the war on drugs in the United States has possibly higher negative impacts on society than positive impacts. This calls for a revision of the policies governing the whole initiative.

Policy Recommendations

The policies instituted in the war on drugs have resulted in astronomically negative impacts on society and society. The Drug Policy Alliance, which concluded- due to the increased marketing value of illegal drugs which depicts increased use of illegal drugs- the war on drugs has failed and therefore contends that the funds used in the war on drugs are merely a futile investment on a lost course (Becker & Murphy, 2013). Otherwise, reforms need to be done, and most of the policies abolished or revised. These include policies in how the initiative is managed, the initiative's goal, the funding of the initiative, and the parties involved in the initiative. As established by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, reforms are needed if the devastating impact and consequence for individuals and societies are stopped (Parker, 2018).

References

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