The War on Drugs

Paper Summary:

This paper contends that in reality, the war on drugs has turned into a war on the very people it was designed to protect; the poor, racial minorities and drug addicts. In order to understand how a goal as laudable as ending drug addiction has ended up penalizing the very people it was meant to assist, this paper looks at the history of the war on drugs and the science behind its theory. The paper also attempts to evaluate whether the claim that drugs present a substantial risk to the health of Americans is true or false.

From the Paper:

"According to the government, this increase in drug use heralds a health epidemic in American society. However, reports about the harmful health effects of illegal drugs are largely exaggerated. To be certain, drug use is associated with harmful health effects. For hard-core drug users, such as those who abuse substances like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, drug abuse does have the ability to destroy their lives. However, these health problems are related to drug addiction problems and are eclipsed by the negative health effects experienced by Americans who consume cigarettes and alcohol. Another health epidemic that has been linked to drug abuse is the rapid spread of AIDS through drug users sharing needles. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adams, Cecil. "Still Smokin': What are the long-term effects of marijuana?" The Straight
• Dope. 2006. Chicago Reader Inc. 11 Aug. 2006 <http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060414.html>.
• Common Sense for Drug Policy. "Race, Prison, and the Drug Wars." Drug War Facts. 2005.
• Common Sense for Drug Policy. 11 Aug. 2006 <http://www.drugwarfacts.org/racepris.htm>.
• Hagar, Paul. "Crime and the Drug War: The Politics of Hysteria." The Libertarian Corner. 2005. Indiana University. 11 Aug. 2006 <http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~hagerp/drugwar.html>.

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