The Wonderful War on Drugs
In recent years the so-called "war on drugs" has taken over the streets and back alleys of suburban America. It has caused a problem that mirrors the prohibition days of the 1920's and early 30's. Politicians trying to play "tough guy," are only contributing to more violence. Their laws have created an underground drug-trade, in which modern drug-dealers have taken the place of the bootleggers of old. The real question is whether or not this "war" is working. Most people would like to believe that it is, and there are a few statistics that show it has. But just watch any news program, and you will see this war has failed miserably. Drug-related crimes happen constantly in today's society, and in recent years have involved increasing numbers of innocent bye standards. Daily, police officers face ruthless dealers, who would rather shoot at a cop than spend 25 years in prison. On top of all that, there has been no real proof of a decline in drug use among people in America. Is this "war" really the best answer to America's widespread drug problem? Should the government be allowed to spend billions annually fighting this hopeless war? Looking at this information you begin to realize that, n
Some people will tell you that the War on Drugs has been a great success, don't let them fool you. Almost weekly a sports star, movie star, government official, or famous musician is exposed for drug use. Go to the movies, turn on the television or radio, and you will see drugs are as much a part of the American society as baseball and apple pie. Even Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich have admitted to experimenting with marijuana. With drug abusers climbing higher on the ranks of society daily, it only makes for a more corruptible system. No matter how much is spent on ads and prevention campaigns the drug problem will never be solved with prohibition. Teens just see anti-drug commercials as a way for the government to tell them what to do. If the government believes it is winning the war on drugs, then where is the hard proof? The drug problem has only grown worse in the 90's. This war must be stopped immediately. Every year more and more tax money is wasted, with little or no results. I believe a government-controlled legalization of drugs is the only solution. Drugs would no longer be seen as a way for teens to rebel against authority figures. The illegal drug-trade that controls today's streets would be non-existent. A steady decline in incarcerations would be seen, and violent drug-related would go down also. Let us put an end to America's second type of prohibition. Let us put an end to the "War on Drugs". If you look closely it is plain to see that prohibition has not worked in the past, and will most definitely not work in the future. Should the government really be allowed to prosecute non-violent offenders for consensual crimes committed in their own home? You may have heard the saying "history always repeats itself," does America not remember what the outcome of alcohol prohibition was. The outlawing of any controlled substance will only bring rise to more violent outlaws willing to risk life and limb for high profits. By making drugs illegal, they are also making drug prices skyrocket. As Weir puts it "the War on Drugs makes narcotics a hundred times more expensive, than if they were to be purchased legitimately"(160). This increase in price causes hard-core users to commit crimes more frequently to support their habit. It also increases incentive for those who are daring enough to deal and smuggle illegal drugs. Another result of prohibition is more hard-core use, or binging on the illegal substance. Weir also adds "as patterns from prohibition show, making a substance illegal only results in a change from steady, moderate consumption to binges"(160). Prohibition laws of the 1920's only brought about a huge, mafia controlled industry for alcohol, while doing nothing to prevent drinking among citizens. Making something illegal only creates a taboo, which people will break only because they know its wrong. By prohibiting drugs more pe
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Approximate Word count = 1956
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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