The War on Drugs: America's Failed Attempt at Prohibition - Essay Example

Taking into consideration this social evil, it would not be a wasteful exercise to draw the time line and arrive at a conclusive decision to pinpoint the serious pitfalls in the various administrations over the years, that have resulted in a set back in curbing the drug menace in the United States. Moreover, as there cannot be a final solution to this menace, the only possibility quite close at hand would be to legalize drugs as it could alleviate most of the country’s social or political problems.

To support these views, it would be appropriate to consider the pros and cons, attempts and failures, decisions – right and wrong that have resulted in The War on Drugs: Americas Failed Attempt at Prohibition as the thesis statement to establish certain facts. “FRONTLINE report examines the people, policies, and struggles behind Americas 30-year battle against illegal drugs. Despite the U.S.s multibillion dollar effort, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and other illicit drugs continue to thrive on Americas streets.

And drug-trafficking has become a global $300-$400 billion dollar industry--one thats now an integral part of the world economy” (Frontline Drug wars: Synopsis). ‘War on Drugs’, a phrase coined by President Nixon in the wake of noticing several “U.S. service men returning from Vietnam hooked on heroin shocked Nixons men into responding with controversial methadone treatment programs” has witnessed crests and troughs in its initiation as well as during its implementation (Frontline Drug wars: Synopsis).

It continues to gain stronghold among administrations, social workers, health organizations as well as communities. Since the target is adolescents irrespective of sex, the menace continues to remain as the favored topic of discussion to endless rounds of meetings. “Fighting drugs again became a top priority at the federal level. Politicians jumped on the drug war bandwagon, passing laws that set