Increase In The Use Of Drugs example essay topic

Crime Americas drug policy; a self destructive path. America has had a policy of prohibition when drugs are involved since the harrison act of 1914. Since that time we have seen nothing but a rise in the use of drugs, peaking off in 1979. Now that does not mean out drug policy has been working in recent times. In 1951 the "Boggs law" came into effect, witch required sever mandatory penalties for any drug offense. That law was modified by the narcotics control act of 1956 witch again raised the bar to witch drug offenders where sentenced to.

The essential summary of the narcotics control act on possession of illegal substances is "The 1956 act calls for the following penalties for the illegal possess i 0 on of drugs: (1) first offense, 2 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $20,000; (2) second offense five to twenty years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $20,000; (3) third or subsequent offense, ten to forty years imprisonment plus a fine of a least $20,000". (reference here) The laws regulating trafficking of narcotics are the same as the second and third offense of possession, with the third bringing in the possibility of life in prison. Even after these laws where brought into actual use we still only saw an increase in the use of drugs, particular Marijuana and Amphetamines. With the rise in use peaking in 1979, preis dent Ronald reason in acted his "war on drugs" policy witch only further increased the mandatory sentencing for those arrested for possession or trafficking. Since 1986 (the year his proposed laws took affect) there has been almost a 1000% increase in th amounts of arrests (reference).

That statistic would be one that could be used to support America's stance on drugs, but about 87% of those ares sets when for minor position charges, witch re aises the concern that the real monsters that distribute the narcotics are not being caught, only perpetuating the amount of arrests. The Netherlands (a country who has for all intensive purposes has Marijuana) have a lower rate of youths using Marijuana (reference). As well as a lower rate of youths even trying the drug. America's stance on Drugs is only increasing the amount of people using because they are seen as taboo. When children are growing up, the things that they "cant do" become the things they want to do, and maybe not to such an extent but the same is true for adults, weather conscious or sub-conscious. Because of this and the amount of money that is spent on enforcement of these drug laws (about 8.8 Billion dollars annually) the government is cheating its public out of proper drug education and measures that would more slow down the consumption drugs by its people. A. Drugs, there affect on the human mind and the 1. physical affects (what it actually does to the brian) a.

CNS depression or stimulation b. Short term affects c. Long term affects 2. Mental effects a. addiction b... tolerance 3.

Social affects a. family. friends. society. Prohibition. 1. History, reasons for. b. c. 2. laws of 1950'sa. b. c. 3. Law of 1986 and Ashcroft's revitalization of it. b. c. C. Solutions.

1. Prisons a. population, only increasing. percentage of drug offenders in, percent non-violent. work real ease programs, other possible solutions. 2. The change of perception (the taboo theory) a. proof of existence. comparison with netherlands c. 3. Long term goals.

Conclusions. 1. restatement of primary point 2. statistics (future use and arrests) 3. closing statement, shocker.