Is the American War on Drugs Effective?

In so many ways, the modern world is currently in a state of flux. As we enter the 21st century, among the other complex issues that must be addressed is the viability or lack thereof of what has been termed the 'War on Drugs' in the United States. This paper will discuss this war from several pivotal points of view, with compelling arguments reinforced by relevant research where indicated.

Facts and History of the War on Drugs

An effort to curb the use of certain substances by making them illegal in America has ranged from the prohbibition of alcoholic beverages by Constitutional amendment in the early 20th century to the "Just Say No" campaigns of Nancy and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The fact is, however, fore all of the good intentions over the years, the futility of the modern American War on Drugs can be seen in an example from 1989, when 20,000 U.S. troops invaded Panama, obstensibly in the interest of stemming the tide of illegal drugs entering the U.S., capturing dictator Manuel Noreiga, at a cost of 1,000 innocent Panamanians killed. This action was in total disregard of international law and policy. In 1990, the American people learned of a secret U.S. military plan to invade South America in an attempt to destroy the drug trade. Such an action could have led to the death of many innocent civilians, the economic destruction on South America, an increase of taxes and an increase of inflation in the U.S.

Effectiveness of American Drug Policy Since its Inception

A Comparison with Drug Policy in Other Parts of the World

Currently, laws and policies in opposition to illegal drugs vary by nation from almost no punishment, to fines and imprisonment, to death (Holden-Rhodes, 1997). For all of these policies and all of their good intentions, however, policies have been ineffective. Granted, once a drug offender is executed their life of crime is over, but this is the rare exception to the rule, as the classic supply/demand scenario, addiction issues, and the like fuel the fire of recidivism in the illegal drug world, making virtually all current laws and policies ineffective (Kopp, 2003).

War on Drugs Policy and the War in Iraq

The Case for Legalized Marijuana

Based on the research which shows that drug prohibition is far from the perfect solution, as well as evidence that legalization can work if done properly, a logical person can hardly argue that the legalization of a beneficial, and non-addictive drug like Marijuana would be permissible, if for no other reason than the fact that making it illegal fails to curb supply and demand, nor does legal punishment prevent recidivism in any substantial way. Theoretically, this could positively impact the war on drugs, as the funds that are now spent on law enforcement and imprisonment of Marijuana users could be funneled into improving lives, via social programs, infrastructure improvements, and so forth. Admittedly, there is a drawback in this idea, in that some will simply choose not to give up drugs, no matter what, which brings about the issue of the decriminalization of Marijuana in order to cut the crime rate.

Going along with the decriminalization issue are the interrelated issues of Drug Maintenance and Harm Reduction, which in fact represent a more effective and realistic alternative to haphazard decriminalization. Through Drug Maintenance, the drug offender becomes a drug addicted patient in need of help, and if the criminal stigma were removed from the addiction, it is likely that the individual will seek treatment in far more cases than they would have if they also had to worry about being arrested for their drug issues. Likewise, Harm Reduction would make it possible to take away much of the criminal baggage so to speak that is linked with drug abuse, and allow for the more widespread implementation of treatment programs and assistance to those with drug problems (Holden-Rhodes, 1997).

Perhaps, in closing, the most effective way to decriminalize drugs is not to simply throw open the floodgates and make drugs illegal without planning. Rather, if drugs were decriminalized with treatment programs, the reduction of harm, and the human factors taken into consideration, the "War on Drugs" could be won in a sensible, less costly fashion.

References

Holden-Rhodes, J. F. (1997). Sharing the Secrets: Open Source Intelligence and the War on Drugs. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.

Kopp, P. (2003). The Political Economy of Illegal Drugs. New York: Routledge.