Throughout world history, societies have used drugs, such as ayahuasca, opium, and marijuana, for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Even in our own country during the, heroin was prescribed to treat respiratory illness and cocaine was consumed recreationally via Coca-Cola products. In relatively recent years, however, the American government enacted numerous policies targeting the sale, possession, and use of specific drugs. In 1915, The Harrison Narcotics act enforced a policy with restrictions on manufacturing and selling marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and morphine for the first time. After the creation of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics under the Hoover administration, drugs were increasingly criminalized through the enactment of The Boggs
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During this time period, hippie culture believed hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) expanded their perspectives toward enlightenment and Vietnam veterans sought marijuana and heroin to ease their suffering. As drug use became more and more prominent, the government recognized drugs as a symbol of “youthful rebellion, social upheaval, and political dissent” (A Brief History of the Drug War). At the start of the 1970’s, the “war on drugs” officially started as President Nixon drastically increased the influence of federal drug control agencies including policies regarding mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants. Nixon’s fight against drug abuse, “America’s public enemy number one,” led to the foundation of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Over the years, U.S. presidents continuously supported the war on drugs through funding and …show more content…
In exchange of the shaming and oppressive nature of our current drug policies, I advocate for a system which encourages the user to receive appropriate rehabilitation. Approaching the use of drugs through both a temperance and disease view, I believe reallocating funds into programs which approaches drug abuse as a curable disease, not simply a moral wrong. The temperance view of drugs recognizes drugs as addictive substances which are hazards to the public and thus focuses on targeting the root of addiction, such as drug dealers and smugglers (Fraser, Moore, & Keane, 2014). The disease concept understands drug abuse as a treatable disease which neither the user nor the supplier is responsible for; thus, supporters of the disease concept’s understanding of drug abuse, such as President Clinton, advocates for drug treatment and rehabilitation (Fraser et al., 2014). Thus, on these principles, I believe we can combat drug use in a more just and impactful way. In addition to providing treatment instead of jail sentences, the government should invest in appropriate and accurate drug education as well as preventative measures to subside drug use. Although the DEA supports several preventative drug education programs, such as JustThinkTwice and Red Ribbon Week, the American public is relatively uninformed about the
During this time period, hippie culture believed hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) expanded their perspectives toward enlightenment and Vietnam veterans sought marijuana and heroin to ease their suffering. As drug use became more and more prominent, the government recognized drugs as a symbol of “youthful rebellion, social upheaval, and political dissent” (A Brief History of the Drug War). At the start of the 1970’s, the “war on drugs” officially started as President Nixon drastically increased the influence of federal drug control agencies including policies regarding mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants. Nixon’s fight against drug abuse, “America’s public enemy number one,” led to the foundation of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Over the years, U.S. presidents continuously supported the war on drugs through funding and …show more content…
In exchange of the shaming and oppressive nature of our current drug policies, I advocate for a system which encourages the user to receive appropriate rehabilitation. Approaching the use of drugs through both a temperance and disease view, I believe reallocating funds into programs which approaches drug abuse as a curable disease, not simply a moral wrong. The temperance view of drugs recognizes drugs as addictive substances which are hazards to the public and thus focuses on targeting the root of addiction, such as drug dealers and smugglers (Fraser, Moore, & Keane, 2014). The disease concept understands drug abuse as a treatable disease which neither the user nor the supplier is responsible for; thus, supporters of the disease concept’s understanding of drug abuse, such as President Clinton, advocates for drug treatment and rehabilitation (Fraser et al., 2014). Thus, on these principles, I believe we can combat drug use in a more just and impactful way. In addition to providing treatment instead of jail sentences, the government should invest in appropriate and accurate drug education as well as preventative measures to subside drug use. Although the DEA supports several preventative drug education programs, such as JustThinkTwice and Red Ribbon Week, the American public is relatively uninformed about the