Social Problems Essays

“Drug policy regarding the control of the traditional illicit substances (opiates, cocaine, cannabis) is currently moving through upbeat times in almost all Western countries. Prohibition on the basis of repressive law enforcement not only seems to fail on a large scale, but also to create vast additional costs, problems, and harm for drug consumers, who often find themselves in extreme social, economic, and health conditions” (Fischer 1995: 389).

There are many differing viewpoints in the United States when dealing with drug policy. Within the political arena, drug policy is a platform that many politicians base their entire campaigns upon, thus showing its importance to our society in general. Some of these modes within which drug policy is studied are in terms of harm reduction, and supply reduction. When studying the harmful effects of drugs, we must first to attempt to determine if drug abuse harms on an individual level of if it is a major cause of many societal problems that we face today. In drawing a preliminary conclusion to this question we are then able to outline the avenues of approach in dealing

Many have long argued that prohibition simply does not work. ( ) Today, the strict policy on cannabis is reinforced by severe punishment. In reality, police forces have been growing more lenient to cannabis use, prioritising more pressing areas, indicating a change in law enforcement attitude to the drug. ( ) This may also suggest a change in social culture. The flaws of prohibition are present today regarding the so-called ‘War on Drugs’. People who are otherwise innocent are swept into the criminal justice system because of cannabis use. (6) Thus, they face the problem of a criminal record and may even become involved with harmful activity whilst in the criminal justice system. This situation has wrongly allowed cannabis to be a powerful

Today’s world is changing at a rapid pace. Things never thought to be possible are becoming very real. One of the popular subjects of wanting change is the legalization of drugs. There has already been a small amount of change in the drug legalization process with marijuana now being legal in a few of the states. Vanessa Baird in her work “Legalize Drugs- all of them!” argues for the legalization and decriminalization of drugs. John P. Walters counters Baird’s argument for legalization in his piece “Don’t Legalize Drugs.” Both authors take an extended look into the harsh reality of the drug war and the small progress it has made since it began.

Ever since the federal criminalization of marijuana in the United States in 1937, there has been a large underground drug market (Paul). Much like how the prohibition of alcohol simply forced imbibers underground, those who chose to partake in marijuana are forced to stay away from the prying eye of the law because of present marijuana laws. This means the drug world is concealed from the average citizen, hiding the dangers of drug deals gone wrong, police shootings, and other dangerous occurrences. In a way this allows the government to mask the fact that their well-funded ‘War on Drugs’ is ineffective, a ‘War’ with a budget of roughly twenty billion dollars; which is not profoundly effective in the curbing the use of drugs (Jillette). If

As U.S. Drug Policy has become more politicized, the number of laws for using, and possessing illegal substances has increased, and the number of those using illicit drugs has risen.  Though drug policies were created with the intent of protecting the public, a gap has developed between different groups - the “drug warriors” and the “legalizers”.  These polarizing groups advocate opposing, often politically-driven views that result in overly punitive drug penalties that are expensive, racially disparate, and totally ineffective. Consequently, movements inspiring a drug counter culture against this oppression has emerged in America and illicit drug use has increased.  By the second half of the 20th century the major importation of illegal narcotics and the drug war were just getting started.

"I think what everybody believes and agrees with, and to be frank myself, is that the current approach [to the drug trade] is not working, but it is not clear what we should do." This quote by Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, calls for action against the drug trade in Canada as well as America. The War on Drugs has been an everlasting battle that the United States has lost time and time again. A conclusion can be surmised that all drugs should be legal with some form of regulation to resolve the drug epidemic; however, others believe that the legalization of all drugs would not work. These aforementioned people against the legalization of drugs argue that because drugs are harmful, the legalization of all forms of drugs would lead to an increase in problems pertaining to the drug issue in America. Those who advocate for strict drug legislations are correct that drugs are harmful; nevertheless, there are several benefits that would arise from the legalization and decriminalization of drugs. In 2001 Portugal decriminalized drugs and has experienced a vast array of positive effects since then. The issue of prisons becoming overcrowded is becoming an apparent concern within the United States. The United States Government, on both a state and national level, expends an immense amount of money on its arduous drug control policies. Gangs and drug cartels would lose their primary revenue source as large businesses would control the decriminalized drug market. In

The issue of drugs, and how they run massive intercity trade throughout the world, has no doubt been a long established practice for many organized crime fellowships; and an equally established battle for law enforcement agencies attempting to control it in America’s youth. There have been several human right debates on whether the most auspicious way to reduce crime-related drug deaths and arrests is to view the issue as a criminal matter or a health matter, especially in the youth of America. While no one thinks drug addiction is a good thing, more and more people are starting to think that the war on drugs — a war that costs United States taxpayers $51 billion per year — needs a fresh approach. Since President Nixon deemed drug abuse as

The country was split during the Nixon administration over the topic of drugs. Nixon claimed a “War on Drugs” during his administration. This controversial topic is still being discussed today. Although no one party has a set, fool proof plan on how to handle the situation, there have been two obvious propositions. From a utilitarian standpoint, the goal is to maximize happiness. Some people believe that to maximize happiness, the government must legalize all drugs. The opposing side believes that there should be more action taken to stop the distribution and use of hard drugs in society. As difficult as this topic is, prohibition of drugs would ultimately maximize utility. Prohibition is the best option for society, because it will help save potential and current users, it would save addicts and their families, and it would stop the increase of the criminalization around drugs. In order to save the portion of society who are involved in the drug game, the government must take some action to help society.

“The debate on drugs is dominated by one, endlessly recurring argument. Should drugs be legal or prohibited?” Throughout the world, the subject of drugs is highly controversial therefore; the policy on drugs does vary from country to country. This essay will take note of the similarities and differences between not only the drug policies but also the public debate on drugs in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Firstly, the historical context and issues will be put into consideration, followed by the situation in the present day. The main texts discussed within this essay are “Drugs, Crime and Public Health: The political economy of drug policy – Alex Stevens” as well as “Understanding drugs, alcohol and crime – Trevor Bennet and

Throughout United States history, power of the upper class has been maintained by assigning “different” people a lower, less desirable, place in society, predisposing them to social inequalities. Social stratification creates a system of social classes in which people born into a specific class have different “life chances” (Macionis 28). These classes are somewhat maintained by the fact that people tend to “take care of their own,” meaning that members of the upper class generally favor other members of the upper class and offer opportunities for advancement in society to those they feel most similar to (Doran). People from lower socioeconomic classes generally experience less life opportunity, have increased poverty and therefore have

In this paper, I am going to be writing about the war on drugs and its controversial approaches. There are many debatable solutions, but legalization and decriminalization seems to be a go to for other countries, like Mexico has done with cocaine. I will be highlighting the legalization of marijuana in particular because it is a hot topic in America right now. We are watching the government’s approach to combating the use among Americans unfold present day. We will discuss what the government is doing to stop drugs from entering and leaving the United States as well. In each sub topic of my paper I will explain in further detail.

It can thus be suggested that as it stands current global spending far exceeds its worth, or at least for the state and those in government. As comparatively, it could be argued it works very well in serving a criminal industry. An illegal industry, that is eager to supply a growing global demand for drugs, with an estimated annual turnover of $320 billion (Countthecost.org, 2016).Therefore, despite all of these resources spent by the state, there has been little improvement towards the harms of illegal substance misuse and the global drug trade is now arguably, entirely controlled by criminal organisations, street gangs and even terrorists (Bean, 2010). It leaves you wondering, firstly, are we, as a society, going the right way in dealing with the problems of substance misuse and secondly, how has spending on the issue increased to such unsustainable amounts, often with little positive results.

The United States is by far the richest and most powerful country in the world. We citizens take for granted luxuries that people of other countries can only dream. Yet in our society there are serious social issues that for reasons unknown are not being addressed. One of the most important issues that typical politicians are afraid to address is that of what to do with the nation’s illegal drug problems. Although we hear terms like "The War on Drugs" and "Drug Treatment", a fresh approach to this issue is overdue. The country should take a new look at drug legalization as a solution to a problem that has been long out of control.

A multibillion dollar industry, with a consumer population of about 125 to 203 million people; the drug industry affects lives of all racial, ethnic, economic , social background, including participants in the drug industry, addicts, teenagers, parents, families, and officers of the law. Many people have encountered an experience with drugs and or drug education; the shared experience regarding the discussion of this topic or illegal experience brings importance to this current issue and validates the proposal for change. How much change, what change and how long will the change take place. Although this issue has many perspectives and opinions on how the war on drugs could be “won”, I will focus on two perspectives: drug criminalization and drug legalization. In a Human Rights lens, I will discuss the limitations and strengths of both methods. In the opinion of some and with hindsight the status quo regarding drugs requires reform in order to reverse the unintended consequences of drug prohibition. In the opinion of others criminalizing participants in the drug trade should be penalized under the law.