An Unfair Drug War
Drug production and drug dealing today has become a substantial source of revenue. Whether for making up budget deficits or for the enrichment of certain individuals, population groups, firms or even countries, drugs are distributed worldwide. Drugs also involve economically marginalized sectors of the population, such as peasant producers or some small-scale drug dealers, criminal organizations or certain closely-knit sectors of society in the world of business or State institutions. The recycling of profits is central to the economy and society in terms of land, real estate and financial assets. It directly involves businesses and financial institutions. The social transformations stemming from the development of the drug economy reveal a growth in the sectors of illegal activity. These issues, which now concern all parts of the world, take different shape from one region and location to another.
Politically, the issue of drugs is extremely significant. The War on Drugs has been a long and expensive fight to decrease the usage and sales of drugs. Although politics have struggled to end the large usage, it seems as if the war is a waste of time. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being poured into this Drug War and it seems to be very ineffective.
The history of the non-medical use of drugs in this country dates back to the 1900s. During this time people were far more addicted to drugs than today (Tackling). This was because of the high dosage of morphine used by doctors during medical operations. The first criminal law at the Federal level that illegalized the non-medical use of drugs was the Harrison Act in 1914. This law applied to drugs such as morphine, opium, and the derivatives of the coca leaf like cocaine. There was no mention of drugs such as marijuana, amphetamines or any hallucinogenic drugs that are used today (Tackling). The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was created to prohibit the use of marijuana (Tackling). In 1956 the Daniel Act was
Politically, the issue of drugs is extremely significant. The War on Drugs has been a long and expensive fight to decrease the usage and sales of drugs. Although politics have struggled to end the large usage, it seems as if the war is a waste of time. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being poured into this Drug War and it seems to be very ineffective.
The history of the non-medical use of drugs in this country dates back to the 1900s. During this time people were far more addicted to drugs than today (Tackling). This was because of the high dosage of morphine used by doctors during medical operations. The first criminal law at the Federal level that illegalized the non-medical use of drugs was the Harrison Act in 1914. This law applied to drugs such as morphine, opium, and the derivatives of the coca leaf like cocaine. There was no mention of drugs such as marijuana, amphetamines or any hallucinogenic drugs that are used today (Tackling). The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was created to prohibit the use of marijuana (Tackling). In 1956 the Daniel Act was
Cited: Lousiana Passes Major Drug Reform. Drug Policy Alliance. 2001. Drug Policy News. 15 Jun Marks, Alexandra. Rolling back stiff drug sentences. (Cover story). Christian Science Monitor 91.9 (1998): 1 Parents Target Drug Dealers. Northwest Center for Health and Safety. 2002. Drug Dealer Liability Act