The War on Drugs

Combating Drugs Drugs long been considered public safety

problem in the U.S.

Beginning in early 1900s federal gov’t began efforts to criminalize use of certain drugs that were found to be harmful or addictive

Through highly addictive drugs like heroin & cocaine remained a problem up through 1950s, problem had little impact on mainstream America

A Call for “Law and Order”

During 1960s, era of protest and social rebellion, use of marijuana and LSD became fashionable among youth & symbol of counterculture lifestyle

By end of decade experimentation led to addiction and problems for thousands of Americans and soldiers returning from Vietnam

Eventually studies began to show abuse of illegal drugs was linked to other criminal activity and could lead to health risks

A Call for “Law and Order”

Caught attention of law enforcement & politicians eager to crack down on “culture of lawlessness”

President Nixon elected in 1968 & in 1973 consolidated federal offices and programs to create Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

Decision often seen as beginning to “war on drugs”-eliminate activities surrounding illegal controlled substances

DEA

Rationale: limiting access to drugs- by making it illegal to buy or sell- was best way to stop health and crime problems

Crack Epidemic Int’l crime orgs from Central/ S. America

began flooding U.S market w/ new, powerful drugs- new culture of violence

1980s: drug related crime skyrocketed when crack began appearing in U.S cities

Easy to produce & highly addictive

Lead to increases in street gangs and organized foreign criminal drug orgs (cartels)

Crack Epidemic

Urban homicides & drug-related gun violence drew media attention and paralyzed communities in fear

1986: Congress passed Anti-Drug Abuse Act- $1.7 billion to fight illegal drugs & est minimum sentences for drug possession

Harsher sentence for possession of crack

“Just Say No” Crack epidemic wreaked havoc on mostly poor,

working class citizens

Increase in powder cocaine by middle/upper class symbolized excess of 1980s & message it sent to youth seen as a major national problem

1984, Nancy Regan, launched “Just Say No” public service campaign

Designed to encourage kids to stay away from drugs

“Just Say No” Celebrities joined effort

through TV specials & ads with strong anti-drug message

“Partnership for a Drug-Free America” also launched series of hard-hitting TV ads showing dangers of drug abuse

Most famous: sizzling egg with “This is your brain on drugs” caption

Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub_a2t

0ZfTs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyXFN4ocN_o

New Drugs, New Problems

Drug use among youth dropped slightly in 1980s but gains erased with intro of new drugs

1990s emergence of “club drugs” (MDMA/Ecstasy) brought war on drugs to suburbia

Home based labs used to produce methamphetamines (crystal meth) began popping up in residential neighborhoods

New Drugs, New Problems

Chemical process used to make meth involves readily available ingredients- dangerous impact on communities even more strongly felt

Abuse of powerful prescription pain meds (Vicodin, OxyContin) have created new industry of illegal drug trafficking

Border Control Most of illegal drugs consumed in U.S. are

grown and produced elsewhere & smuggled in country by land, sea & air

Mexican land border and costal border along southern U.S are most common points of entry for drugs

Drug orgs in Mexico and C. America engage in increasingly violent tactics- prompting U.S to give billions in aid to help countries of the region fight against cartels

Has It Been Worth It? 2011: 22.5 million Americans 12 or older

(9% of population) reported using illegal drugs

Meth and cocaine dropped but marijuana and prescription pills increased

Cost of enforcing and prosecuting/imprisoning those who break law costs U.S about $40 billion a year

Has It Been Worth It? U.S imprisons 1 out of every 100 adults-

world’s highest rate of incarceration

Largest % of prison population have been convicted of using/selling drugs

Housing inmates is expensive 2011 Supreme Court ruled that California

prisons so crowded that incarceration there amounts to “cruel and unusual punishment” in violation of 8th Amendment

Legalizing Marijuana

Marijuana most widely used illegal drug

Nearly ½ of all nonviolent drug arrests are marijuana-related

20 states and DC allow sale and use of small amounts of medical marijuana to adults with doctor’s prescription

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881

Legalizing Marijuana

Cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers report quick and effective relief from marijuana w/o side effects of more potent painkillers

However, federal authorities can still prosecute anyone who grows, sells or possesses if it is legal in their state

2012 Gallup poll- Americans almost equally divided on questions of legalization of marijuana

The Sale and Possession of Marijuana Should Be Legal PRO

Marijuana is safer than alcohol and medically useful.

Jailing people for possessing small quantities ruins lives and wastes law enforcement resources that should be targeting violent criminals instead.

Legalizing marijuana would make individuals and communities safer.

CON

Marijuana is a harmful, toxic substance

The drug reduces alertness and causes learning and memory problems.

Legalizing it would increase use as well as treatment and rehab needs

Users would be more prone to

traffic accidents and less productive at work and school

Governor’s Debate

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/08/gov-chris-christie-barbara-buono-set-to-meet-in-debate/

“The Marijuana State”

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/altered-states-reflecting-on-state-medical-marijuana-laws/?_r=0

“The Marijuana State”

The question: is this fair?

Specifically: is this fair to people who go through the appropriate and legal channels to obtain their marijuana? To people who are severely ill?

Gonzales v. Raich

http://web.law.duke.edu/voices/gonzales#