Essays on Drug Policy

Is the War on drug policies a major factor in racial profiling?

Introduction My name is ( ) and the topic I shall discuss is whether the war on drug policies stand as a major factor in racial profiling or not, and I believe that war on drug policies are not a major factor in racial profiling. This issue is important to be because there are many minorities in the country who live under the burden and impression as the supreme targets as drug addicts and racial profiling against them is a major problem. I have friends who feel living amongst the rest of the people are always afraid that they might become ...

Introduction

Legalization of marijuana has been a subject of debate in the recent past. This article aims to explore the reasons why people are increasingly pushing for legalization despite potential addiction and the health effects associated with marijuana use. Most of the reasons are are obviously negative. Therefore, it is of importance to scrutinize how these reasons affect both individuals and the government as well.

Decriminalization of Marijuana

The prohibition of marijuana has seen many people arrested and convicted for minor offenses such as being in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Aside from the fact that prosecution of these offenses ...

It is disheartening to observe two nations that underwent significant changes in the last century failed to capitalize on their reforms for the penal systems. South Africa declared itself of free of apartheid rule and yet finds its indigenous population reeling under the present government. The German model for reforms was on track until the political pressures overtook it (Cavadino, Cavadino, and Dignan, 2005). The cry is for stricter laws against criminals and yet, they are unable to follow the examples of the Netherlands or learn from the mistakes made by the United States. The South African people still ...

Decriminalization on drugs is the removal of any criminal penalties related to drug law violations for personal usage. The policy has been adopted in numerous states and cities of the United States. The article “Reflections on Drug Policy” looks at the different alternatives to drug use such as decriminalization, medicalization and rehabilitation. The various alternatives are important and necessary for drug users and the country (McBride et al. 75). The article “Four Points about Drug Decriminalization” looks at the importance of decriminalizing drugs use as a way to reduce drug trafficking violence and reduces the process of rehabilitation of ...

The United States possesses a fascinating history pertaining to substance abuse. Even though there are many theories as to why substance abuse exists in the United States and why that substance abuse is taken to the extreme, there is one theory that greatly stands out above the rest. The United States is too protective and puritan in many ways. This is not a statement meaning to disrespect the United States; however, it is a relevant comment to explain why such a substantial rebellion from the youth in the 1960’s transpired with regard to substances and culture in general. ...

The War on Drugs arguably has been a war against the puritan ideals within the United States versus those who want to consume drugs. To be forthcoming, I am not advocating the use of drugs recreationally; however, I feel that where the United States has committed a major error is by not allowing drugs in because what has transpired as a result is the creation of bodies of crime that have caused a great deal of violence. To call this a “war” is a gross exaggeration. The reason for this is that a “war” involves the Untied States combatting ...

Of all wars to have been conducted by the USA, the war on drugs is the least promising, with government and law enforcement agencies fighting it in a losing battle. When American authorities got it going some 4 decades ago, it was doomed to be a losing war for a number of reasons, of which one is a historic precedent never taken into consideration. It is well-documented that the only lesson we ever learn from history is that we do not learn any lessons from it at all. However, what America should learn is that conventional tools of mandatory bans and restrictions imposed ...

Introduction

Drug abuse is major problem across the globe. The US has a big multicultural population, flexible immigration laws, liberalism, and lies in major drug transit route. These issues have made the US a big target for drug production, trade, and consumption (Hakim, 4). The federal government initiated laws and agencies to fight drug use and trade. However, dynamics in the trade, human rights issues, scientific research, economic constraints, shifting international relations, and several other policy issues have compelled the government to rethink its stand on policies regarding drugs in the country.

Major policy issues in drug Use in US

The main policy issues in the US drug policies are ...

Drug Policy

The drug policy currently in force in the USA imposes a blanket ban on all types of drugs without reference to relative harmlessness and side effects. As a result, the criminal justice system is clogged with people convicted for possession of relatively harmless drugs like marijuana and cannabis. Amidst increasingly fervent calls for a review of the drug policy, it is imperative to assess the drug policy of the Netherlands. Netherlands’ drug policy is based on the concept of ‘normalization’, wherein the effort is to focus on the overall environment of people, and address all aspects of socio-economic life, so as ...

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that is mainly used as an illicit drug and for medicinal purposes. It is said to be the most commonly used drug worldwide today. Its legalization has been a topic of contention among many, with both sides giving strong reasons about their stand. Due to its psychoactive effect, the drug has been illegalized in many nations, except for a few who have legalized it for medicinal purposes. The question is should medicinal marijuana be legalized? Yes, medicinal marijuana should be legalized in order to save lives that are being lost, yet something can be done. In addition, it ...

Does An Employer Have The Right To Test Its Employees For Drug Use?

OUTLINE

Introduction

An employer should have the rights to test its employees for drug use. This is informed by the fact that the market is a free enterprise which entails a willing employee-willing employee concept, otherwise, called the laissez faire.

Body

It is instructive to appreciate the two ethical theories that inform the argument in this paper. These are the Deontological and the Virtue Ethics theories. According to the theories, employers have the right to demand certain conditions of their employees. Conclusion A conducive environment for working remains a prerequisite for competitive performance. Drug use remains a hindrance to ...

OUTLINE

Introduction

An employer should have the rights to test its employees for drug use. This is informed by the fact that the market is a free enterprise which entails a willing employee-willing employee concept, otherwise, called the laissez faire.

Body

It is instructive to appreciate the two ethical theories that inform the argument in this paper. These are the Deontological and the Virtue Ethics theories. According to the theories, employers have the right to demand certain conditions of their employees. Conclusion A conducive environment for working remains a prerequisite for competitive performance. Drug use remains a hindrance to ...

Addiction to drugs has been identified as one of the leading health enormities due to which a huge population of the world is suffering. Indeed, various drugs in the current times have been determined as a supplement of cure and remedy of several diseases. Amongst various drugs that have been a part of numerous discussions and disputes with respect to its benefits and limitations, marihuana is one of the few to mention. Marihuana is also termed as pot, weed, cannabis, hash, dope, bud, and many more. Legalization of marihuana has been subject to controversies in the United States of America. Even ...

Illegal drugs are being misused by many people around the globe. Some of this illegal drugs have medicinal value but has addicting characteristics. This is the reason why they are being widely prohibited. In the United States is making a lot of movement to stop the usage and distribution of these substance. The declaration of War on Drugs was more than forty years ago by President Richard Nixon. However, there are many conflicts that weakens the War on Drugs movement of the United States (US). Military, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other US government departments are doing ways to ...

Orphan Drug

Introduction The main purpose for the enactment of the U.S. Orphan Drug Act (ODA) of 1983 is to conduct a research on some of the rare diseases whose medical needs remain to be unresolved. The law has given incentives to various sponsors who have tried to develop therapies for some of the rare medical conditions that can affect at least 200,000 individuals on a yearly basis (Premiere Research 1). For this study, the objective is to create a regulatory strategy or path for Orphan Drug development, particularly on the oral iron chelator, one of the subsets of thalassemia or ...

Marijuana raises controversial debate from time to time on the significance of its legalization. Although, many people attach massive demerits to the substance, others find exclusive benefits in the substance. The benefits of the drug may range from medical to economical. There are unique medicinal benefits that come with the use of marijuana. The economic benefits of the substance may be attached to the tax revenue that the drug attracts to an economy. The first medical benefit of marijuana is that it acts as the pain reliever. There are some diseases that cause extensive pain to the patient, ...

Introduction

Over the past decade, drug crimes and drug abuse have garnered a lot of attention. It is estimated that every year about $110 billion is cost to the country through drug related accidental injuries and deaths, health care, criminal behaviors, dependency treatment and so on. Both the state and federal laws prohibit the manufacturing, possession, and the sale of certain controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and ecstasy. Drug's relation to crimes is through the effects drugs make on the user's behavior by influencing him to commit violence and other illegal action connected to drug trafficking. In 2004, ...

The concept of power is complex based on the fact that it is mainly associated with entities such as wealth, politics, and authority. The concept behind the notion on power is the impact o influencing the actions or the decisions of others within the society. The indicated approach in relation to the respective effects of power and the influence reflected by the leaders to the followers stipulated the implications that the leaders provide within a given community. Researchers argue that leaders need power towards influencing others within an organization or a country. The notion that they are always on power indicates ...

The Most Controversial & Debated Plant in the Country

INTRODUCTION Weed, grass, bud, pot, “giggle-twig,” Kush, “greenery,” and marijuana are all names for one plant; Cannabis. Whether one has first-hand experience or not, most Americans are aware of what Cannabis looks and how it smells. However, beyond that many people cannot agree on much else concerning the uses, laws and policies of this one, single plant. Some people believe that Cannabis is a dangerous, addictive, illicit drug as equally as threatening as any other drug, like heroin and methamphetamines, also called Speed. However, there are an ever-growing number of people in this country who argue that many of ...

Abstract

Introduction In 1989, President Bush presented a speech in a national television that outlined a comprehensive anti-drug program both in domestic and international dimensions . The refined strategy, associated by its objectives has reached the Congress in 1990 that reduced the amount of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs that are dangerous to people as estimated by 15 percent in 2 years and by 60 percent in 10 years, respectively that entered in the United States. However, the United States has experienced the fluctuation that concerned how people viewed drugs and its drug policies. The situation of drugs in the social and ...

ON A NATIONAL HEALTH ISSUE

[Institution Title]

ROLE OF MEDIA IN SHAPING PARENTS’ ATTITUDE

“One of the most egregious outcomes of marijuana prohibition is that many sick people cannot legally access the medicine that works best for them. For many seriously ill people, medical marijuana is the only medicine that relieves their pain and suffering, or treats symptoms of their medical condition, without debilitating side effects. Marijuana has been shown to alleviate symptoms of a huge variety of serious medical conditions including cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma, and is often an effective alternative to synthetic painkillers.” - Introduction Researchers believe that the marijuana can provide relief, even cure for numerously medical ...

According to the reports of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) mentioned that in 2012, the agency together with other federal departments related to the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada published incidence of estimated prevalence and incidence of the pandemic during 2011. Numerical estimates showed that 71, 300 (from the range between 58, 600 to 84,000) people were living with HIV (including AIDS) in Canada during the year 2011. In a percentage estimate, 25% of the people living with HIV have no knowledge of their condition due to lack of testing (Public Health Agency of Canada, ...

Introduction

War on drugs is an American terminology, meaning a campaign of turndown on drugs, military equipment’s and invention, with the only purpose of reducing the illegal drug trade. United States has spent large amount of financial, military and other resources on the war on drugs. The effectiveness of the war on drugs has been argued in a manner that such high expense on this war have not yet ensured elimination of illegal drugs so this war should be ended; however, the opponents view is that if this war is ended then the situation will only get worse. The war on ...

Abstract

Several drug policies in the United States have been implemented in a move to try and eradicate drugs out of the streets and schools due to their negative effects on the lives of users and family members. The involvement of drugs in the country has been for a long time and the fight to control the vice continues where several government agencies have been mandated with ensuring that the society is free of illicit substances and drugs. Drug abuse has been a menace in the world and there is need to find lasting solution to this problem that affects the weak and ...

‘Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know’ is a well written book that discusses on use of marijuana. The Authors Jonathan P. Caulkins, Mark A.R. Kleiman and Angela Hawken probes a much debated issue whether marijuana should be legalized or not (Caulkins et al., 2012). These authors present a detailed survey report wherein more than half of American population suggests that use of marijuana should be legalized. These authors also take a view about national as well as international opinion on the use of marijuana. Currently marijuana is not permitted in several countries and its use is banned in almost every country across ...

Over the recent years, the number of patients having physical therapy for pain management has drastically increased. Physical therapy involves physical exercises such as stretching and a range of motion exercises aimed at maintaining flexibility, strength, and mobility. Physical therapy embraces hot and cold therapy to mitigate pain in body parts. Chronic pain among people is one of the major illnesses, which have presented itself people around the world. People have, over the years, been using drugs in mitigating chronic pains. There has been a persistent use of prescribed medicines to manage pain. Improvement in technology and medical skills have significantly ...

Film Studies

The House I Live In is a compelling account of the manner in which America’s War on Drugs has devastates families and individuals especially those belonging to the minority community. It has targeted the poor and the jobless. The film portrays touching anecdotes of those directly impacted by drugs – be it the grieving mother to the drug dealer, the senator to the narcotics officer, the federal judge to the prison inmate. The film highlights this as a serious human rights issue and urges people to speak against the injustice taking place in this country. The film in fact portrays ...

Over the recent years, the number of patients having physical therapy for pain management has drastically increased. Physical therapy involves physical exercises such as stretching and a range of motion exercises aimed at maintaining flexibility, strength, and mobility. Physical therapy embraces hot and cold therapy to mitigate pain in body parts. Chronic pain among people is one of the major ailments which have presented itself people around the world. People have, over the years, been using drugs in mitigating chronic pains. There has been a persistent use of prescribed medicines to manage pain. Improvement in technology and medical skills have significantly ...

Keeping Prison Drug Treatment an Option

Keeping Prison Drug Treatment an Option

Introduction

Understanding the social benefits of keeping prison drug treatment an option as part of prisoner rehabilitation engages increasing support in the ongoing debate about its efficacy. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) of the 211,150 total prison population, over 50 percent have drug related convictions (2013). From 1990 and well into the first decade of the 21st century, America's controversial "war on drugs" contributes to the continued overcrowding in the nation's prisons (VanderWaal, Taxman, & Gurka-Ndanyi, 2008, p. 127). According to van Wormer and Persson (2010), " A large percentage of inmates ...

Successful public policy is very difficult to devise but when the known facts and the perceptions of the citizens and government officials are used with honesty, success is more likely. David Baum wrote a book about the ‘war on drugs’ titled Smoke and Mirrors which was published in 1996. Examples from his book have been discussed with reference to Deborah A. Stone’s categories of causal stories. Causal stories that are used to justify public policy may involve policy actions that have been carefully researched and are targeted towards a specific goal. On the other hand the actions may be based ...

After watching the manner by which I made the persuasive presentation on “Drug Policy and Prescription Drug”, overall, I strongly believe that it was not perfect but it did fairly well. The video made me see my weaknesses and I will work hard to avoid them next time. The reasons for this assessment are as follows: (1) the presentation was fairly structured in a clear and effective manner, as it somewhat followed the prescribed format for presentations; (2) it provided relevant and crucial information to the target audience; and (3) it achieved the identified learning goals for the preparation and ...

The legalization of marijuana has been a very controversial issue for decades; for most of the 20th century and beyond, it has been illegal in the United States and other countries, turning its sale and usage into a vast underground market that has gone untapped by any professional outlet. Some say that it is a harmful, addictive drug that leads to health detriments down the line for those who use it. However, there are others who claim that it is perfectly safe, and could be an incredible source of income for a legitimate economy. The legalization of marijuana has the potential to create ...

Many states have never agreed on the issue of legalization of marijuana. Part of the society emphasize that the drug has many negative effects to the society and hence should remain illegal. The power to legalize marijuana is in the hand of the state government. Some states have already legalized the use of marijuana. The aim of this legalization is to facilitate its use in recreation activities and for medical purposes. It is important to recognize that marijuana has some negative effects to the society (Gieringer, 79). However, the drug can be used wisely to benefit the members of ...

The legalization of marijuana has been a very controversial issue for decades; for most of the 20th century and beyond, it has been illegal in the United States and other countries, turning its sale and usage into a vast underground market that has gone untapped by any professional outlet. Some say that it is a harmful, addictive drug that leads to health detriments down the line for those who use it. However, there are others who claim that it is perfectly safe, and could be an incredible source of income for a legitimate economy. The legalization of marijuana has the potential to create ...

Constitution is what empowers the federal government to control the control the behavior of the people. The use of many addictive substances has been in place for many years hence it seems that the people who use the substances have a right to use them. For example, marijuana has been used for many advantageous purposes. ‘If a law is passed to control its use, it means that the rights of some users will be violated.’1 According to the constitution, the federal government has powers that are prescribed in the constitution. Trying to amend the constitution to give the federal ...

Marijuana should Legalized in the United States.

The legalization of marijuana in the United States is a subject that creates a great debate. The subject creates polarization between the American citizens with each side having a prediction of what will happen with the legalization of the drug. The proponents argue that the legalization of the drug has many economic benefits to the country. In addition, Marijuana is not harmful to its users compared to other legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. On the other hand, opponents argue that the legalization increases the likelihood of the drug falling into the hands of the underage and the drug can be a ...

Arguably, the Jim Crow Laws were local and state laws that were enacted between the year 1876 and 1965 in the United States. Perhaps this was the name given to the introduction of the racial quota system and segregation in the southern part of the United States. The main thing that was going on was the reconstruction. Whereby, in 1865-1877 those who had been slaves received civil right protection from the federal law. Hence, this law was enacted when issues of segregation based on race was dominant. Perhaps, Jim Crow referred to a black character and a popular dance. In 1880s, ...

The fight against crime can be dealt with and has been dealt with in many ways. One of the most prompted ways of fighting crime is the reduction and fight against drug abuse and substance abuse. The psychologists state that, when a person is under the influence of drugs chances of engaging in crime are usually high (Peet, 2004). As a political science student I carried out an interview with a catholic catechist who takes part in the interfaith drug policy initiative on the take of the organization on crime. The following are excerpts from the interview.

The purpose of the organization ...

The demand and supply of illicit drugs has increased to such levels, which have warranted the federal to have several approaches characterized of a myriad of avenues to the same. This includes legislation, as well as criminal penalties, prevention and education of potential users, users’ treatment, and research on how to have effective treatment plans. Safety is a key consideration, which has been evidenced by the existence of drug education in America for almost a century. Drug education uses a myriad of approaches. However, these approaches keep on receiving challenges since it becomes complex to know, which approach is most effective (Inciardi, & McElrath, ...

Introduction

Drug trafficking as defined by the UNODOC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) refers to the illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture and sale or distribution of drugs in contravention of the law prohibiting the handling of drugs. This vice has been in operation for quite a whole now. This saw Clinton’s drug czar Barry McCaffrey retort that drug trafficking has been in place from as far as 1996 (Suddath, 2009). The truth is that drug trafficking has been a global issue for over 40 years. The war on drug trafficking was instituted in an early stage. Mora (1996) ...

The New Heroin Epidemic

According to Gilderman (2012) the United States experienced their largest heroin epidemic from 1967 to 1971; the second largest epidemic lasted from 1976 to 1981 (para. 9). So generally when people hear about a heroin epidemic they immediately think back to the 60s and 70s. There seems to be no recognition that there could be an ongoing epidemic of heroin use right now in the United States. Not only that, the epidemic is global including large areas of sub-Saharan African countries as well as in other locations around the world.

The question considered in this essay is: Does a new heroin ...

Section 1: Introductory Concepts

1. Discuss the roles of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the provision of drugs. The role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is to assess the therapeutic goods available in Australia, monitoring them and measuring the standards in which they are being made (PBS, 2011). Furthermore, the TGA ensures that therapeutic advances are made accessedible to the public quickly but safely. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a scheme that enmakes sures that Australians throughout the country are provided access to the medicines that they need, through the administration of health care ...

Discuss the roles of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the provision of drugs. Therapeutic Goods Administration is one of the major Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing branches and it focus mainly on helping the government to regulate various forms of therapeutic goods such as the medicines, medical equipments, implants, vaccines and haematological products. The importance of their role to the community is that those goods are something that people use every day. The goods are used in the management of different major medical conditions (Australian Government, 2011). The ...

Introduction

Legalization of Marijuana in California has been a contested topic because of its implications. This is a matter of the local government and not the federal law. As argued by John (2010) legalization of Marijuana would mean that the local government would regulate marijuana related activities which includes imposing and collection of taxes and fees associated with marijuana trade. However, the recently defeated legalization of marijuana in California has implications on the criminal justice system.

Impact on criminal justice system

The recently defeated legalization of marijuana in California has implications on the criminal justice system because it was expected that legalization would reduce overcrowding in prisons. ...