Drugs Problem In United States - Essay Example

DRUGS PROBLEM IN UNITED S Psychoactive substances are used to seek relief from cold, hunger, deprivation, anxiety, pain and boredom through outthe history of man. Further he also has used such substances to achieve new experiences or to receive pleasure. Today man has deliberately created new chemical substances and institutionalized their availability for similar uses. These drugs are injurious to the health, judgment, productivity and general well-being of their users (Nixon, R.M. 1972). Drug problem is a serious concern to the global community however the problem in United States is comparatively severe. According to recent statistics, more than 14 million Americans buy illicit drugs and use them at least once per month. This accounts to spending over $60 billion yearly in a diverse and fragmented criminal market (Perl, 2006). Studies show that 60% of the worlds illegal drug market is in the U.S.A. (with 6% of the worlds population); Over 20 million Americans use Marijuana; An estimated 6 million Americans use Cocaine; An estimated half a million Americans use Heroin; An estimated 13 million Americans are alcoholics; Almost 1/3 of Americans between ages 20 and 40 have used an illicit drug once in the past year and Almost 1/2 of Americans Entering the work Force have used an illicit drug once in the past year (Drew, 1999). The 2002 National Drug Control Strategy of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) estimates the total costs of drug abuse to American society to be approximately $160 billion. The major components of this total are health care costs ($14.9 billion), workplace productivity losses ($110.5 billion) and losses related to crime, the criminal justice system, and social welfare ($35 billion) (Perl, 2006). It is estimated that somewhere between 1.8 million and 2 million Americans are in jails and prisons, Federal facilities, across the Nation and 60 to 70 percent of those individuals incarcerated are there because of a drug-related offense (Congressional Record, 1999). [3] In 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized a reported $1.4 billion in drug trade related assets and $477 million worth of drugs (DEA, 2005). However, according to the White Houses Office of Drug Control Policy, the total value of all of the drugs sold in the US is as much as $64 billion a year (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2000). According to the Police studies 40 to 60 percent of reported crime (e.g., burglaries and, physical violence) is drug-related. In economically backward neighborhoods, many youngsters enter the illegal drug market in search of job opportunities and huge incomes (Ebeling, 1990). The three major components of the United States’ national drug control strategy are Stopping Drug Use Before It Starts, Healing America’s Drug Users, and Disrupting Drug Markets. (National Drug Control Strategy, 2006) Current efforts of US government disrupt the drug market have resulted in increased quantities of illicit substances available on American streets. This calls for changes government focus, from eradicating international drug trafficking to securing the nation’s borders and implementing more treatment facilities. While US drug market disruption strategy focuses on reducing drug trafficking, there are several countries depending on drug trafficking to earn profits. Many foreign governments rely on the drug trade to increase their revenues. For instance, approximately 20% of the Bolivian workforce is involved with drug producing and trafficking, resulting in 70% of the country’s gross national product (GNP). If this market was eliminated from the country, there would be widespread unemployment and violence; therefore, the Bolivian government will not assist the United States in capturing any drug dealers (Gusterson, 2006). The United States needs focus on reducing the transport of drugs into the United States and to decreasing the availability of these illicit substances to America citizens. The government should not be focused on eradicating drugs at the source because it does not have control over how foreign officials. In countries like Peru, there are long waiting lists for policemen to be transferred into the jungle regions, simply because the officers know that they can make extra income there by capturing drug smugglers and taking their money. Trying to prevent drug trafficking in these countries by capturing smugglers is not effective because when one is caught another enters this profession. Instead of wasting money on efforts that will not decrease the traffic of illicit substances to the United States from foreign nations, all US funds currently dedicated to drug eradication abroad should be spent on generating some real change in the domestic drug market (Gusterson, 2006). The United States should use its funds to patrol its borders and to prevent and treat drug use of American citizens. In addition, the United States should view other countries model for treatment of drug use. For example, United States can make use of Switzerland’s Therapy strategy as a model, by providing similar treatment options that “reintegrate dependent drug users into society and permit them to lead a largely independent life.” (Swiss Drugs Policy, N.D.). In addition, the use of drug courts as treatment for drug addicts should increase. Instead of infiltrating the nation’s jails with drug users, people caught using illicit substances should be sent to drug treatment facilities and taught how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By treating drug users, the United States saves money since every dollar spent on treatment prevents $7.50 from being lost due to crime and lost productivity (National Drug Control Strategy, 2006). Finally, as the President proposed it is important to focuses on preventing drug use before it starts, through education and community action; Increases support for treatment and prevention programs; Disrupts the drug market by attacking the economic basis of the drug trade; and Emphasizes performance, not business as usual (Federal Drug Control Programs, 375-380). Drug problem is a real problem globally, but more serious in United States. It is essential that to fight this problem more strategically. Above all, we must reduce drug use for one great moral reason: over time, drugs rob men and women and children of their dignity and character. Illegal drugs are the enemies of ambition and hope. And when we fight against drugs, we fight for the souls of our fellow Americans. President George W. Bush, December 14, 2001 Work Cited Congressional Record, Drug Problems In America (1999) House of Representatives, October 5, 1999. In: Proceedings and Debates of the 106th Congress, First session. 19 December 2006, Drew, D.C. Americas Drug Problem (1999) 19 December 2006, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), (2005) Drug Enforcement Administration Highlights Year’s Accomplishments News from DEA, News Release, December 28, 2005. 19 December 2006, Ebeling, R.M. The Economics of the Drug War 1990, 19 December 2006, Federal Drug Control Programs, The Budget For Fiscal Year 2003, 375-380. 19 December 2006, Gusterson, H. How to Improve the National Drug Control Strategy to Win the War on Drugs (2006) STS.062J: Drugs, Politics and Culture. 19 December 2006, National Drug Control Strategy. The White House. Feb 2006. Pp 3. Nixon, R.M. Drug Use In America: Problem in Perspective. In: The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, Commissioned by President Richard M. Nixon, March, 1972. 19 December 2006, Office of National Drug Control Policy, What America’s Users Spend on Illegal Drugs 1988-1998 December 2000, 19 December 2006, Perl, R. Drug Control: International Policy and Approaches (February 2, 2006) Congressional Research Service, 19 December 2006, Swiss Drugs Policy. Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. (undated) Pp 16. Read More