If you walk into any local gas station or grocery store, it can be spotted right away. I am speaking of alcohol. Yes, alcohol though legal, is a drug. Alcohol is a form of drug use that results in addiction for millions. (Gwynne, 1988, pg. 32) Problems that alcohol cause are very widely known, yet any regulation for the drug is only for people under the age of 21.

After prohibition failed miserably, the idea of controlled alcohol seemed ridiculous. This too is true for many of today's modern drugs. Stiff penalties and laws have made little progress in the ongoing war on drugs. The main types of drugs in circulation today are heroin, crack, cocaine, amphetamines (uppers), barbiturates (downers), and marijuana. (Ball, 1988, pg. 2) The three most widely used drugs are heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana.

Heroin was created by doctors as an alternative to morphine. Morphine

Many people feel that the best solution to solving America's drug problem is to legalize and regulate drugs. One form of this theory is called decriminalization. This is where the selling of drugs is not illegal but the possession of drugs is. (Oliver, 1996, pg. 56) Eleven states have this law in the case of marijuana. In these states selling marijuana is legal, but possession carries very stiff penalties. (Oliver, 1996, pg. 57) The main reason for the idea to legalize drugs, is that it would be easier to control and that the government could even collect taxes. This theory is not a valid one though. In countries where drugs are legal such as Italy, the addiction rate is much higher. (Oliver, 1996, pg. 60) This would counteract any possible monetary gain due to tax revenue on drugs. For example, if the rate of babies born addicted to crack continues to increase, the cost to provide for these 'special needs' children will reach 90 billion dollars a year. (Oliver, 1996, pg. 27) Just think of the possible costs of addiction care; if the total legalization of drugs increases so does the addiction rate of all drugs.

Crack is 3/4 pure cocaine and provides both a physical and mental addiction. (Ball, 1988, pg. 19) Crack can be taken in two different ways. It can be snorted like cocaine or smoked. This allows for two different types of reaction from one drug. Crack is actually a faster high than most drugs. The reaction is almost immediate but short lived. When the reaction ends there is what is called the 'comedown'. This is a crack user's sudden crash from their 'high'. (Oliver, 1996, pg. 26) This causes an ever emotional effect on the user as the need to maintain their high increases even more.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)