In 1996, California raised the idea of chemical castration, which had been previously contemplated. The idea of using Depo-Provera and other hormones started in the US in the mid 1960's. Many states such as Michigan, Texas, Florida, and Massachusetts have tried to get the laws in favor of chemical castration passed, but were unsuccessful. Those states were not able to pass the law because, it was found to be unconstitutional. California was able to pass the law with an assembly vote of fifty-one to eight, and the senate passed it with a similar vote on Septem

On the pro side of the argument the numbers that were retrieved from the studies were clear and very supportive of the argument. Although most of the studies showed accurate numbers of chemical castration success rates, most failed to specify whether or not the castrations were done voluntarily and did not do research if they were not voluntarily done. On the other side the weakest point was regarding the side effects. It was not very convincing because there is not much compassion for a person who commits a sexual crime on another person. The fact that the proposal is unconstitutional could swing either way depending on the trial and the reasons offered. However, the fact that this proposal is mandatory is where the argument gets complicated. The treatment does work well for some, but it will not work for many others depending upon their drive. Their drive is broken up into two categories, the drive to commit the crime or the drive to get help and stop. Chemical castration works most effectively when the drive to commit such crimes are based upon sex drive, but if they are based on anything else, the fact that the libido is lessened is insignificant. Also, if they have a determination to stop, the treatment has much higher success rates. If they do not then the castration is pointless because, they can find ways around it by taking drugs that can be easily acquired in almost any gym.

"Should Convicted rapists/child molesters be required to undergo

There are many groups and individuals that are opposed to the mandatory chemical castration of repeat sex offenders for various reasons. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is one of the largest groups to object to the chemical castration law. They believe that it violates "bodily integrity" because, of its potential side effects. These side effects which are caused by chemical castration include high blood pressure, gall bladder problems, weight gain, testicular atrophy , mild depression, malaise, hyper glycemia and rare changes in liver enzymes.

Another major problem with the mandatory chemical castration is that not all sex offenders are motivated by their libido or sex drive. According to Kate Thomas, Associate Director of National Institute for the Study, Prevention and Treatment, and for Sexual Trauma in Baltimore, this law ignores this principle by making castration mandatory for parole, and not allowing those who could be helped by psychiatric care to be. In order to determine if the treatment would work an evaluation should be taken prior to the procedure, but this law does not require a medical psychiatric evaluation to be done. Once the procedure begins it rel

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1804
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)