War on Drugs

United States ' War on Drugs

Introduction

The fight against prohibited drugs has long been a battle the United States could not claim to have won over the years . Various campaigns and policies were created in to build a `drug free society ' But the present situation illustrates a divergence from this ideal society that the government has been trying to establish

The use of drugs is deeply rooted in the history of the United States Along with the vast campaigns against its use , spontaneous proliferation and distribution of prohibited drugs in various

kinds within and outside the country has become dominant . In to address this problem in the society , law enforcements were strengthened . Government spending constantly increased in to address the need for a more profound strategy to limit , if not hooked to it . But as the federal government continue to adapt the policies of the `War on Drugs ' no positive effect has been perceived since it was first initiated . There was instead an increase in the distribution and drug trafficking . Growing crime incidents caused by the use of illegal drugs have spread over the media . Gangs ruled the streets and prison population involving drug use and trafficking has tremendously increased (Wisotsky ,

. 25 ) The use of the different forms of illegal drugs has not only doubled but quintupled . In the recent years , one of the most troubling scenarios found to be even more depressing is the involvement of young adolescents with ages 12-17 in the selling of illegal drugs ( War on Drugs

Various issues are also associated with the United States policy on its fight against illegal drugs . The hundreds of billions of dollars spent on its implementation have always drawn the attention of its critics Racism is but another strong accusation that has been pointed out as the major cause of implementing such policy creating a new process that leads to slavery

Yet today , the drug war continues . However , unending criticisms were then elicited by this depressing fact . And to add insult to injury , `War on Drugs ' policies has become one of the many dilemmas that the American society faces

`War on Drugs ' Roots in the US

The drug war in the United States has started since the 19th century when it made an agreement with China to prohibit opium shipment between the two countries ( War on Drugs , para 2 ) From then on , several acts and policies were enacted by the US government against the use of illegal drugs . Alcohol was even prohibited ( War on Drugs , para 5 along with the belief that it causes addiction as well

`War on Drugs ' was initially used by President Richard Nixon in 1971 referring to the new set of initiatives or policies involving the prohibition of illegal drugs . He started combating drugs in 1969 labeling its use as public enemy number one in the United States ( War on Drugs ' para 2 7 ) Consequently , it was under his administration when he recommended that the use of marijuana , one of the...