Heroin Trafficking

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the rising heroin abuse problem in Canada. as well as possible solutions to the problem. In order to devise strategies to address the issue, the paper first looks at what the government has done in the past in the hopes of challenging traffickers and users. The paper relates that looking at past policies will help provide an understanding of methods that have not been successful. The paper also compares America's approach to the drug problem to Canada's and notes that neither have been completely successful. The paper concludes that perhaps the best approach would be one that combines the techniques of both countries' approach to fighting drug abuse; providing treatment to drug users and targeting the trafficking system.

From the Paper:

"Heroin is made from morphine, a naturally occurring substance that comes from the opium poppy plant. There are estimated 35,000-40,000 heroin users in Canada claims Leduc and Lee (2003). Opiates which produce heroin do not grow in Canada which means that all of the aforementioned users are dependent on the import of heroin into the country and the trafficking routes that gets the drug in their hands. Heroin trafficking will continue to be a societal problem so long as people are using heroin. It is drug use epidemic that can only be targeted from the root which is the use of the drug itself. In order to expose, dissect, and find solutions to this problem we must look at the rise of use of the drug, the import of this drug, and the networks of distribution throughout Canada. To determine strategies that would help eliminate these problems we must first look at what the government has done in the past in hopes of challenging traffickers, and users so we have an understanding of methods that have not been successful. The government as a whole faces heroin at a range of levels from the education system teaching youth about drug dangers, to law enforcement facing dealers and importers, to the immigration system meeting head on with those crossing borders with drugs, social services of Canada helping addicts and former addicts remain off the drugs and restart their lives and governmental health care helping those with heroin related health issues as well as people who have endured trafficking related violence. Heroin use no-doubt affects all members of society at an economical level, but also at a production level. The more time and energy given to those involved in the drug, the less time and energy given to more positive aspects of society like the education system. Both fiction and non-fiction books and movies expose the lives of drug lords profiting off the down fall of people into cyclones of drug use, drug dealing, prison, and death. One of the most widely distributed written projects on this topic is "Requiem for a Dream" which is less focused on the importers but rather on the people on the streets that are profiting less and risking. Reading of this work of art accurately describes the struggles, horror, and never ending circle of use, abuse, and violence."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Booth, M. (1996). Opium: A History. London: Simon & Schuster, Ltd.
• CAMH (2007). Harm Reduction: Its Meaning and Application for Substance Use Issues Position Statement. Retrieved April 1st, 2008, from Public Policy Documents. Web site:http://www.camh.net/Public_policy/Public_policy_papers/harmreduction position.html
• CBC News (2000). Heroin Trafficking Ring has Links to Bikers. Retrieved April 3rd, 2008, from Archives. Web site: http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/06/15/drugring000615.html
• The Canadian Press (2007). Afghan Heroin a Direct Threat to Canadians: Mounties. Retrieved April 2nd, 2008 from Archives. Web site: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/08/06/heroin-canada.html
• CityNews Staff (2008). Mass Arrests May Clean Up Neighborhood Where Crime Was King. Retrieved April 2nd, 2008, from CityNews Top Stories Web site: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21224.aspx

More papers on Heroin Trafficking:

• Term Paper # 148729 : "Mexico, Political Corruption and Drug Trafficking"
• Analytical Essay # 114648 : "Afghanistan's Heroin Industry"
• Research Paper # 65920 : "Rise in Use of Heroin"

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