FREE ESSAY ON THE WONDERFUL 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
Annotated Bibliography
1. BBC News Online Network. Ed. Ivan Silverberg, M.D. 2 Feb. 1998.