FREE ESSAY ON WAR ON DRUGS

WAR ON DRUGS

The Wonderful War on Drugs 
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, not only does this "war" affect every person in the U.S., but it is also a
war with no winners. War is never pretty, and the war on drugs is no exception. For this
"war" to work it must stop drugs in at least one of three areas. Either by stopping drugs
at the border, stopping drug dealers at home, or preventing drug use within the country.
Military and law enforcement has failed to accomplish any of these, and it is not because
of limited funds. "Last year state and federal governments spent $30 billion plus on the
battle against drugs"(Anony71). This outrageous spending hasn't made a dent in the modern
drug-trade. Politicians are trying to approach the problem with supply-side economics.
You try to block the supply to force the cost of hard drugs up, pricing most users out of
the market. It has not worked. "Cocaine and heroin prices have fallen greatly since the
early 80's, while strength and purity tend to be rising in these drugs"(Anony71). The
statistics regarding drug interdiction at the border have proven stopping drugs at the
border is an expensive failure. Joseph McNamara say's "the government estimates that they
seize only 10% of the drugs coming across the border"(537). Stopping the dealers within
our own borders hasn't proved an easy task either. With police going after more common
users dealers are forced to compete more violently for fewer customers. Doctors in
Detroit are saying that they're "seeing fewer overdoses, but more drug related shootings,
stabbings, and assaults as dealers fight amongst themselves"(Torr39). No real decrease in
drug use among citizens has been seen as a result of police action anyway. Increasing
numbers of teens are turning to a life of drugs in America. "Marijuana use among teens
has doubled in the last three years", while at the same time "Americans are spending $20
billion annually on drug related medical costs"(McCaffery4). For this battle to be
fought, it must be proven as a cause worth fighting for. Fencing off the entire country,
and jamming non-violent offenders in already overcrowded prisons is not a smart way for
this battle to be won. 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 people are likely to experiment as a way of rebelling against the system. 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". 
Bibliography
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