Beginning in 1970, Congress passes the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control act. In addition to consolidating previous anti-drug laws, the act provides federal funding for drug abuse prevention and treatment efforts. The Act establishes tough penalties

We spend billions of dollars each year fighting the War on Drugs. At the March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA we sits the most sophisticated radar air radar system ever built tracking every plan entering the U.S. and yet the U.S. government only stops 5-10% of the drugs coming across its borders, which is the same percentage they’ve been getting for years (Rivera). We are locking up drug offenders at such a rate we need to build a new prison every month. Is it that are policies are not working or is it that they are working to their full potential and their full potential isn’t sufficient? We need to stop pointing the finger and start solving the problem. Research shows that their are tried and tested programs that are much more effective and humane. First, we need to accept the fact that prohibition does not work. The best way to get drugs under control is to regulate them much like alcohol and tobacco. Second, we need learn from the experiences of other countries such as Switzerland and the Netherlands. Both countries have tried the regulation approach and have found much success both with crime and addiction.

Switzerland started a three-year pilot program in 1996 in which addicts were provided controlled dosages of their drugs at clinics and many of the addicts were able to kick their drug addiction (UUA 2). Lastly our government needs to speak up about these alternative issues. Our politicians and law enforcement personnel are afraid to speak out about these issues. It is much easier to speak out about being tough on crime when it is re-election time then it is discussing the alternatives. The “War on Drugs” has put thousands and thousands of drug dealers behind bars, toppled cartels, seized tons and tons of drugs, but it has not solved the problem nor won the battle.

for drug trafficking, but actually lessens federal penalties for the possession of marijuana. In 1971, President Nixon declares “War on Drugs.” To coordinate anti-drug efforts, he creates the special Action Office for Drug Abuse Preventior. In 1972, the Drug Enforcement Agency was created. The DEA replaces several older anti-drug agencies and becomes the nation’s prime drug law enforcement agency. By 1979 illicit drug use in the United States peaks. The number of users reaches 25.4 million. By the mid 1980’s Crack cocaine epidemic spreads across the nation particulary within inner cities. Violent crime rates soar, fueled in large measure by the drug trade. In 1984 Congress enacts mandatory minimum prison sentence for some drug offenses. The federal prison population begins to soar since the sentence is under increasing stiff guidelines. State prison population also begins to climb, so state legislatures move to enact stiffer, longer sentences. In 1986 President Reagan signs the Anti-Drug Abuse Act which includes a large number of mandatory penalties for drug possession, drug trafficking, and other drug crime. Also in 1986, was the “Just Say No” campaign begins and is aimed at combating teenage drug use and included the Drug free and Communities Act. In 1988, create the National Drug Control Policy. The ONDCP is putting charged of coordinating the policies, goals, and objectives of the federal government’s drug control programs. William Bennett is appointed director in 1989, and is unofficially dubbed the U.S. “drug czar.” From 1989 on, the military beco

Some topics in this essay:
Peru Bolivia, South America, Enforcement Agency, Switzerland Netherlands, President Bush, South American, Riverside CA, , President Clinton, President Nixon, law enforcement, war drugs, billions dollars, drug control, “war drugs”, drug abuse, drugs coming, build prison month, locking people, build prison, drug trafficking, schools communities program, drug control strategy, drug abuse prevention, drug-free schools communities,