The war on drugs has been a term coined for the battle against illegal substance use that began in the 1970’s. People believe that this is the only solution to eradicate the ever-growing problem of drug use and addiction, but the reality is that the war on drugs is not working. It has failed the people of the United States. This war has led to an increase in the incarceration rate, failed policies, and the death of many Americans.
The United States is known internationally as “the land of the free”. It is therefore ironic that it holds 25 percent of the world’s prisoners, although it only constitutes 5 percent of the world’s population.
Approximately $20,000 to $50,000 dollars are spent to keep one person incarcerated. Therefore, it is not much of a surprise that the United States spends around $80 billion dollars on incarceration. This money could be used for drug treatment centers or other ways to prevent drug use.
The Punishment Model is a prime example of policy used in the United States to counteract drug use. In this model, those who are caught with drugs are incarcerated, or punished for having drugs, even if these are in small amounts. The reason why this model doesn't work is because in prison, the people who really need help to counteract their problem often don't get the help …show more content…
In 2017, 8 states have already legalized marijuana. In countries in Europe, such as The Netherlands and Portugal, all drugs have been legalized. Effects of legalization can be seen in Portugal, where the rate of overdose deaths has plummeted. Schools should have a more informative curriculum about drugs in health classes. The youth has to learn from a young age about drug use and the effects they have. If teenagers already have a problem with drugs, there should be resources available to help them. The drug problem should not be treated as a war. Instead, it should be treated as a health
The United States is known internationally as “the land of the free”. It is therefore ironic that it holds 25 percent of the world’s prisoners, although it only constitutes 5 percent of the world’s population.
Approximately $20,000 to $50,000 dollars are spent to keep one person incarcerated. Therefore, it is not much of a surprise that the United States spends around $80 billion dollars on incarceration. This money could be used for drug treatment centers or other ways to prevent drug use.
The Punishment Model is a prime example of policy used in the United States to counteract drug use. In this model, those who are caught with drugs are incarcerated, or punished for having drugs, even if these are in small amounts. The reason why this model doesn't work is because in prison, the people who really need help to counteract their problem often don't get the help …show more content…
In 2017, 8 states have already legalized marijuana. In countries in Europe, such as The Netherlands and Portugal, all drugs have been legalized. Effects of legalization can be seen in Portugal, where the rate of overdose deaths has plummeted. Schools should have a more informative curriculum about drugs in health classes. The youth has to learn from a young age about drug use and the effects they have. If teenagers already have a problem with drugs, there should be resources available to help them. The drug problem should not be treated as a war. Instead, it should be treated as a health