In the United States, drug use and poverty come in a pair. It’s difficult to understand why this occurs, it is known that there is a correlation between the two. In a considerable amount of cases, substance abuse and poverty can be causal. The causation and correlation between poverty and substance abuse is a complex relationship that relates to low job opportunities, lack of community resources (such as substance abuse agencies), mental or physical disabilities, and lack of a solid support system such as family or friends. Impoverished people who become absorbed in drugs experience the pain of what it is like to be stuck in the deprivation trap of isolation, powerlessness, vulnerability and physical weakness. Poverty and the use of drugs coincide
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There is a lack of resources that directly with the problem. Resources include rehabilitation centers, substance abuse counseling, and education early in life. In this sense, addiction and drug use is a health care problem rather than a criminal justice problem. Rather than address the issues, the United States enacted a “War on Drugs’” in 1982 under President Reagan. In neighborhoods of mass unemployment and poverty, family breakdown and untreated addiction are the root of why drug dealing occurs and leads to arrests. The War on Drugs results in mass incarceration of dealers and users. The War on Drugs’ budgeted $26 billion dollars in 2015 at the federal level, and $25 billion dollars at state and local levels (Federal Drug Control, 2015). Studies have proven that education and treatment is effective in defeating drug use than incarceration and arrests. Currently, 40% of the $26 billion-dollar budget goes towards treatment and education (FDC, …show more content…
In this case, it is critical to have resources. Rehabilitation services for addicts, resources for vulnerable youth to stay off of the streets, and counseling being covered by health care, would be influential on the state of drug use and poverty. If a large amount of the $26 billion-dollar drug war budget went towards prevention, education, and resources for drug treatment, it would be affordable for those in impoverished situations. Another solution that would benefit those in drug abuse and poverty situations is the elimination of institutionalized racism and red lining to separate races. In the past, people of color have been forced into certain neighborhoods by red lining. These neighborhoods usually have worse schools and are generally less prosperous. This causes a strong police force in these areas and in turn, racism by police
There is a lack of resources that directly with the problem. Resources include rehabilitation centers, substance abuse counseling, and education early in life. In this sense, addiction and drug use is a health care problem rather than a criminal justice problem. Rather than address the issues, the United States enacted a “War on Drugs’” in 1982 under President Reagan. In neighborhoods of mass unemployment and poverty, family breakdown and untreated addiction are the root of why drug dealing occurs and leads to arrests. The War on Drugs results in mass incarceration of dealers and users. The War on Drugs’ budgeted $26 billion dollars in 2015 at the federal level, and $25 billion dollars at state and local levels (Federal Drug Control, 2015). Studies have proven that education and treatment is effective in defeating drug use than incarceration and arrests. Currently, 40% of the $26 billion-dollar budget goes towards treatment and education (FDC, …show more content…
In this case, it is critical to have resources. Rehabilitation services for addicts, resources for vulnerable youth to stay off of the streets, and counseling being covered by health care, would be influential on the state of drug use and poverty. If a large amount of the $26 billion-dollar drug war budget went towards prevention, education, and resources for drug treatment, it would be affordable for those in impoverished situations. Another solution that would benefit those in drug abuse and poverty situations is the elimination of institutionalized racism and red lining to separate races. In the past, people of color have been forced into certain neighborhoods by red lining. These neighborhoods usually have worse schools and are generally less prosperous. This causes a strong police force in these areas and in turn, racism by police