POLICY ISSUE AND SOLUTION-DRAFT
Identify the issue
One major criminal justice policy the United States is facing issues with is the drug crime
policy. Punitive laws are disregarding treatment and other alternatives such as rehabilitation. This
is creating a snowball effect on jail and prison overcrowding, addiction and mental illness not
being treated, and continued rise of drug violence. Strict law enforcement and drug policies is
not the sole answer to the United States’ drug addiction problems. The tough on crime policies
have gained acceptance of the United States’ political culture and way of life (Ogbonna, 2012).
Discuss the problem
There’s no denying the connection with crime and drug use. “More than half of crimes
that lead to arrest are committed under the influence of alcohol or other drugs” (Kleiman &
Heussler, 2011, p. 286). There’s a noticeable need to respond to the connection of crime and drug
use, however the current approach to drug policy needs evaluating to improve a better outcome.
Serious consideration needs to be taken in reforming drug crime policy. The problem with the
policy is the way it’s being approached. It’s being approached in more of a punitive manner
rather than alternative innovative solutions that can make a more positive impact. Policies should
approach the issue at hand and should center the focus on solving the harmful issue of drug
abuse rather than automatic incarceration for non-violent offenses. Ninety-four percent of the
individuals entering federal prisons are nonviolent offenders convicted of drug offenses (Patten,
2016).
Discuss the significance of the problem
The significance of the problem lies in the fact of it creates mass incarceration in the
United States which leads into secondary issues like; taxpayer cost, impact on criminal justice
budgets and overcrowding issues, drug addiction goes untreated due to war on drugs
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incarceration sentencing, and level of public fear of crime rises. To give an idea of the magnitude
United States incarceration rate has is to compare it to other nations. The United States is ranked
as number one in incarceration. “There was a 300 percent increase in incarceration individuals
from 1980 to 2000” (Patten, 2016, p.85). Just in California alone, their incarcerated population
surpasses the entire population of incarcerated individuals in France, even the smaller state of
Michigan, surpasses as well (Patten, 2016). The public fear of crime and drug use is a significant
issue of drug policy. “American politicians have for nearly two decades been playing the crime
card and exacerbating public fears and then proposing or enacting repressive legislation in order
to allay them” (Tonry, 1999, p. 1786). The use and abuse of drugs does not discriminate, it
impacts all social classes, genders, races, and regions (Levin & Reinarman, 1991). It is all
encompassing in the United States, leading towards more significance of the issue because of the
mass population drugs have an impact on. This is not an isolated issue.
Propose a solution
There is no one single solution but rather a combination of different alternative
innovative solutions. Drug abusers are often in denial to seek voluntary treatment, therefore
compulsory treatment that are supported by legal sanctions would be beneficial (Magura, 2007).
Also learning the impacts of what using only one solution can have, is beneficial in working
towards a solution. Complete prohibition can cause an adverse effect. Considering majority of
those imprisoned are poor, young black males, prohibition can “exacerbate the hardships faced
by them, their families, and communities, thus helping to ensure continued or perhaps expanded
demand” (Levine & Reinarman, 1991, p. 489). The lower economic inner cities are usually the
ones faced with the drug epidemic and incarceration. When compared to the United States,
majority of Western European countries have a lower rate of drug use and abuse. This is largely
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due to the lower rate of inequality, poverty, and homelessness because they changed focus and
have been successful in combatting poverty, offering complete social and health services, and a
welfare system that meets their citizens’ basic needs (Levine & Reinarman, 1991).
Christian Worldview
The Netherlands offer a constructive example of the impact of drug policy reform. Their
policies are more humane because it combats to the root of the problem and are associated with
more improved and effective social policies (Levine & Reinarman, 1991). This offers an
example how having a more humane approach to drug policy can positively impact not only the
troubled individual but society as well. Rather than throwing non-violent drug offenders in
prisons with a mandatory minimum sentence due to the war on drugs policy, other innovative
solutions should be taken in a more humane approach. These are individuals who are sick and
need help. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, ESV). The
war on drugs is significantly impacting the lower society class which is mostly composed of
minorities by giving unfair longer sentence, which singles out this group in comparison to high
societal classes. This creates injustice. “Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the
afflicted at the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them”
(Proverbs 22:22-23, ESV).
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References:
Klieman, M. A., & Heussler, L. (2011). Crime-minimizing drug policy. Journal of Criminal
Justice, 39(3), 286-288. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2011.04.002
Levine, H. G., & Reinarman, C. (1991). From prohibition to regulation: Lessons from
alcohol policy for drug policy. Milbank Quarterly, 69(3), 461-495. Retrieved from
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/command/detail?
vid=11&sid=9f95b089-3e4c-4ac6-8815-
8b4bb6bd7b20%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1za
XRl#AN=2597667&db=a9h
Magura, S. (2007). Drug prohibition and the treatment system: Perfect together. Substance
Use & Misuse, 42(2-3), 495-501. doi: 10.1080/10826080601144580
Ogbonna, C. (2012). Rethinking USA drug policy. Journal of Global Intelligence & Policy, 5(9),
107-125. Retrieved from
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/command/detail?
vid=8&sid=9f95b089-3e4c-4ac6-8815-
8b4bb6bd7b20%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1za
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Patten, D. (2016). The mass incarceration of nations and the global war on drugs: Comparing
the United States’ domestic and foreign drug policies. Social Justice, 43(1), 85-105.
Retrieved from
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/command/detail?
vid=9&sid=9f95b089-3e4c-4ac6-8815-
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8b4bb6bd7b20%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1za
XRl#AN=118071079&db=a9h
Tonry, M. (1999). Rethinking unthinkable punishment policies in America. UCLA Law Review,
46(6), 1751-1791. Retrieved from
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/command/detail?
vid=11&sid=9f95b089-3e4c-4ac6-8815-
8b4bb6bd7b20%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1za
XRl#AN=2597667&db=a9h
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