War On Drugs

[JOEBIALEK]

According to the State Department's annual drug-trafficking report, a federal law took effect in 1985 authorizing the United States to penalize countries that do not control illicit narcotics production. Today, these same countries are now producing larger quantities of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs, Furthermore, three years after installing a pro-U.S. government, Afghanistan has been unable to contain opium poppy production and is on the verge of becoming a narcotics state. Opium poppy is the raw material for heroin. Colombia is the source of more than 90 percent of the cocaine and 50 percent of the heroin entering the United States. The report also listed Mexico as a major producer of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana destined for U.S. markets. Source: New York Times and Associated Press.

Some would argue that the only solution would be the legalization of drugs. By removing the criminality of drug sales, possession and usage, the United States government could devote more of its law enforcement resources on other crimes such as murder, rape, assault etc. Furthermore, they argue that regulation of such drugs could create a revenue enhancement for federal, state and local governments. The counter argument suggests that by legalizing drugs, the government grants an implicit consent that drug consumption is morally acceptable. Others argue that the U.S. should focus more on the demand side of the problem by increasing funds for psychiatric and psychological counseling. Their argument is based on the idea that if the individual is properly counseled and medicated, the demand for illegal narcotics would drop significantly. The counter argument is that this solution is cost prohibitive and will only result in replacing one problem with another. Still others offer a more hard-line approach when it comes to dealing with foreign countries such as setting a deadline for the removal of narcotics production. If the deadline passes, the U.S. should utilize various crop-field-burning methods so as to totally obliterate any type of crop production. This would effectively eliminate the central piece of drug production across the planet. The counter argument, however, is that this policy would prevent farmers from switching to other crops in order to earn a legitimate living. I believe that the problem of illegal narcotics in the United States poses a greater threat to the average citizen than any terrorist and/or nuclear threat in existence today. Perhaps a balanced integration of all three of these solutions is our only answer.

[Rex]

you made some excellent points Joe, here are a few you left out.
Over 90% of prison inmates are there because of drugs, either directly or indirectly. (considering the US has the largest, per capita, prison population in the world..over 2 million)
The US waste billions of dollars each year on fighting drugs...yes waste
The goverments own experts have said time and again that the "dare" project is a complete failure. Our policies don't get the big fish, just loads our prisons with the little fish. Our police force has had to sink to new lows to get the convictions they need. Little distinction can be made between the criminals behind bars or the criminals putting them there.
We treat the sympton, not the disease. Like Cancer, it is much more profitable to treat the sympton than cure the disease.
I don't have the answers, but I would start with education, not scare tactics, approach the problem with an open mind.
Isolate the problem addicts, it's a proven fact, even in the most educated countries, a certain percentage is going to be addicts. Isolate them, control the source, let them have thier drugs thru the prceeds of drug sales.
Legalize drugs, control them, tax them. Have clear and defined penalties for the sale to minors.
The problem will always be there, until we change our policys things will only get worse. get rid of the cartel and before the jail door shuts, a new one will replace it.
But lets face reality, all arguements are just so much bs..drugs are the biggest cash crop ever known to man. To many people, make to much money off of drugs to ever let it be legalized in the US. Don't **** yourself into thinking our goverment is trying to do the right thing, it's about money and nothing else.
If you doubt that, ask yourself why legalized drugs are cheaper in other countries? then ask yourself why we can't legally buy them out of the country? they all come from the same companies...the same companies that spend billions to have the strongest lobbiest on Capital hill. The same companies who try and justify the cost by saying they need the money for future developement of new and better drugs. When in fact they spend less than 2% of thier gross profits on new product. Almost all new research is financed by OUR goverment and OUR tax dollars.

LOL another Rant
Rex

[JOEBIALEK]

excellent points and analysis...