The War on Drugs

As we enter the 21st century, among the other complex issues that must be faced as a threat to all of humanity, one must consider the issue of illegal drugs, or more specifically, what has been termed the 'War on Drugs'. This paper will discuss this war, and conclude with a consideration of the decriminalization of drugs themselves.

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).

There are some recommendations that could be offered in changing current drug policies/laws to effectively combat drugs, if for no other reason than the fact that making drugs illegal fails to curb supply and demand, nor does legal punishment prevent recidivism in any substantial way. Therefore, it is suggested that education and greater assistance in dealing with addiction issues be put forth- cutting demand will reduce supply just as it currently feeds it. Theoretically, this could positively impact the war on drugs, as the funds that are now spent on law enforcement and imprisonment could be funneled into improving lives. 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 drugs in order to cut the crime rate.

Decriminalization of Drugs

Reflecting back on the prior discussion, there are those who feel that the correct course of action in battling the crime problems associated with drugs is to make them legal. While this would, on the face, reduce crime because of the changing of laws, the net effect would be exchanging one social ill for another- although the crime rate would drop, the number of drug overdoses, destroyed lives and so forth would most surely increase, and perhaps crimes would increase in other categories, such as driving while impaired, because of easy access to potent drugs that were formerly available on the streets only (Kopp, 2003).

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.