First Supposition: The War on Drugs as an Abject Failure
The first supposition that I have chosen to discuss is about the War on Drugs as an abject failure. I chose this supposition because I definitely agree with this statement. I believe that the War on Drugs has failed at their efforts of trying to reduce and eliminate the use of drug and has overall failed at improving society. As a result of the War on Drugs, I believe that it increased racial profiling and the incarceration of African Americans, especially males. Furthermore, due to the increase of sentencing on drug related crimes, this has also caused overcrowding in the jails. As a result of receiving a felony due to a drug related offenses, this later prevents individuals from …show more content…
In 1971, Richard Nixon declared the War on Drugs in order to criminalize the possession, use, and manufacture of illegal drugs (Wood, Werb, Marshall, Montaner. & Kerr, 2009; Pearson, 2004). To assist with reaching the goals of the War Drugs, several strategies were implemented which included an increase in anti-drug funds, development of federal drug task force, and it promoted a culture who demonized drug use (Cooper, 2015). Although these efforts were executed, the War on Drugs still failed at accomplishing its goal.
Instead of improving society, the War on Drugs has been detrimental and has negatively impacted society in a number of ways. According to Bourgois and Schonberg (2009), the War on Drugs has not helped to improve drug problems, instead it has intensified the physical and psychological harms of drug use. The cost of drugs continues to remain low and continues to be widely available throughout the United States (Cooper, 2015). Other substantial effects include the overcrowding of jails, unfair sentencing, and an increased victimization of the African American population.
Increase in …show more content…
Instead of trying to eliminate the use of drugs and penalize users, the War on Drugs should focus on solutions that promote harm reduction. For example, these funds could be utilized to provide drug treatment instead of incarcerating those that need serious help. Bourgois and Schonberg (2009), state that a wide variety of treatment and social support needs to be available to drug users such as harm reduction, methadone maintenance and subsidized employment initiatives. With these services and supports in place, this could possibly help to reduce the use of drugs and become a basis towards improving
The first supposition that I have chosen to discuss is about the War on Drugs as an abject failure. I chose this supposition because I definitely agree with this statement. I believe that the War on Drugs has failed at their efforts of trying to reduce and eliminate the use of drug and has overall failed at improving society. As a result of the War on Drugs, I believe that it increased racial profiling and the incarceration of African Americans, especially males. Furthermore, due to the increase of sentencing on drug related crimes, this has also caused overcrowding in the jails. As a result of receiving a felony due to a drug related offenses, this later prevents individuals from …show more content…
In 1971, Richard Nixon declared the War on Drugs in order to criminalize the possession, use, and manufacture of illegal drugs (Wood, Werb, Marshall, Montaner. & Kerr, 2009; Pearson, 2004). To assist with reaching the goals of the War Drugs, several strategies were implemented which included an increase in anti-drug funds, development of federal drug task force, and it promoted a culture who demonized drug use (Cooper, 2015). Although these efforts were executed, the War on Drugs still failed at accomplishing its goal.
Instead of improving society, the War on Drugs has been detrimental and has negatively impacted society in a number of ways. According to Bourgois and Schonberg (2009), the War on Drugs has not helped to improve drug problems, instead it has intensified the physical and psychological harms of drug use. The cost of drugs continues to remain low and continues to be widely available throughout the United States (Cooper, 2015). Other substantial effects include the overcrowding of jails, unfair sentencing, and an increased victimization of the African American population.
Increase in …show more content…
Instead of trying to eliminate the use of drugs and penalize users, the War on Drugs should focus on solutions that promote harm reduction. For example, these funds could be utilized to provide drug treatment instead of incarcerating those that need serious help. Bourgois and Schonberg (2009), state that a wide variety of treatment and social support needs to be available to drug users such as harm reduction, methadone maintenance and subsidized employment initiatives. With these services and supports in place, this could possibly help to reduce the use of drugs and become a basis towards improving