Pubdate: Sat, 05 Aug 2006
Source: Harvard Political Review (MA)
Copyright: 2006 Harvard Political Review
Contact:  http://www.hpronline.org/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1078
Author: Christopher Kai Wu
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SPOTLIGHT ON NARCOTICS

Is The War On Drugs Working

President Bush's recent State of the Union address was charged with 
optimism. Portraying America as a "hopeful nation", he touted a 19 
percent decline in youth drug use since 2001. While this information 
may come as a relief to Americans, it is an oversimplification of the 
facts. This general decline has been accompanied by increases in 
abuse of inhalants and prescription drugs. Youth drug abuse is only 
slowly recovering from a spike in the mid-1990s, and this decline is 
decelerating.

Criticism of the War on Drugs comes on multiple fronts. Some accuse 
the current advertising campaign of focusing on marijuana, while 
overlooking more dangerous narcotics. Others argue that poverty 
should be the real enemy in the War on Drugs. Former Cleveland Mayor 
Jane Campbell told the HPR, "Drug use arises when you combine despair 
and economic hardship. If people have no hope for an economically 
secure future, they're willing to put everything at risk because they 
have nothing to put at risk." From Campbell's perspective, the 
government should put more "resources into addressing the economic 
problem" and "invest in comprehensive treatment opportunity" for users.

The government has adopted a hard-line prohibitory drug policy, 
employing mandatory sentencing minimums and aggressive law 
enforcement. Yet, according to Cato Institute Executive Vice 
President David Boaz, "all the arrests and incarcerations haven't 
stopped the use and abuse of drugs, or the drug trade and crime 
associated with black-market transactions." Campbell concurred, 
arguing that "they're picking up the small people. They're not 
getting to the significant business enterprise dealers. At least that 
hasn't been the principal focus."

Some press even harder for reform than Campbell, advocating drug 
legalization. Boaz, who in 1999 lobbied Congress to repeal drug 
prohibition, told the HPR, "Repeal of prohibition would take the 
astronomical profits out of the drug business and destroy the drug 
kingpins who terrorize parts of our cities." He continued, 
"[Legalization] would make drug use healthier, reduce corruption here 
and abroad, and make honest work more attractive to inner city 
youth--pretty good results for any reform."

Drug abuse exacts a huge toll on American productivity and vitality. 
As Campbell lamented, "[drug abuse] devastates our communities, robs 
people of hope, and brings all kinds of tragedy to town." As the 
government carefully tries to find an effective solution, there is 
much at stake in its efforts.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman