Decriminalization Of Drugs
Since the establishment of the laws concerning the illegal drug trade, the entities involved at the Federal level have been involved in a multi-national effort to curb the importation, as well as exportation of illegal drugs. Enforcement actions have caused alarm at many levels, because of the number of policy driven incarcerations (mandatory sentences), even for those who are involved in mere possession of limited amounts. Critics have long been heard calling for an end to criminalization of use, and more focus be placed on the treatment of use and abuse instead. According to a summary of professional opinions provided by William Martin, the war on drugs has failed and merely filled the prisons without focusing on diminishing the illegal drug
trade (2012, p. 2). National policy seems to be having no direct effect on the way federal agencies will be continuing to enforce laws, both nationally and internationally.
State Level Enforcement Trends
While the national level trends seem to be non-evolving and follow a prohibitionist stance, states have initiated various efforts to decrease drug use, which are in competition with national level laws. These initiatives come in several categories such as harm reduction, legalization and regulation, and decriminalization. These initiatives have strong proponents and often generous governmental, philanthropic, or foundational support (McBride, et al,. 2009, p. 77). According to many critics, using any of these approaches rather than strict prohibition would likely completely alter the tensions emplaced on law enforcement to conduct anti-drug enforcement as current law proscribes.
Legalization is especially strongest in the case of Marijuana where several states have already begun to disregard federal law by allowing the public rights to obtain small, manageable amounts of the substance. Additionally, the state benefits from being able to tax the users and business practices. The added savings have been reported to being redirected to battle addiction through treatment.
Illegal Drug Industry Trends In this realm is where the majority of changes have occurred. According to Schwartz, the changes we are seeing now will cause the illegal drug trade to completely change, and he feels that the industry will be completely gone within the next generation (2005, p. 51). His views may be a little far-fetched, but there is no doubt that the market is being flooded with new drugs. That doesn’t mean that the old school ones have left the building, as they are still alive and well, and actually have been evolving themselves. In the categories of oldies but goodies, cocaine, heroin and even marijuana have evolved as well. In this particular case, the influence of these drugs has increased rapidly, which allows for the manufacturers and dealers to need actually less than previous. Most believe that the evolution was likely going to happen anyways. In his studies, Thornton notes that “economic analysis of drug potency shows that public policies such as excise taxes and prohibitions provide the incentives to make and consume more potent drugs and that such policies provide an economic ‘gateway’ for the introduction of new, highly potent drug” (1998, p. 2). If this continues to be true, then Schwartz may not be far off in his belief that the illegal drug trade will completely change in as little as a few years. This belief will also likely harden those who are anti-prohibition in the enforcement arena as well.
trade (2012, p. 2). National policy seems to be having no direct effect on the way federal agencies will be continuing to enforce laws, both nationally and internationally.
State Level Enforcement Trends
While the national level trends seem to be non-evolving and follow a prohibitionist stance, states have initiated various efforts to decrease drug use, which are in competition with national level laws. These initiatives come in several categories such as harm reduction, legalization and regulation, and decriminalization. These initiatives have strong proponents and often generous governmental, philanthropic, or foundational support (McBride, et al,. 2009, p. 77). According to many critics, using any of these approaches rather than strict prohibition would likely completely alter the tensions emplaced on law enforcement to conduct anti-drug enforcement as current law proscribes.
Legalization is especially strongest in the case of Marijuana where several states have already begun to disregard federal law by allowing the public rights to obtain small, manageable amounts of the substance. Additionally, the state benefits from being able to tax the users and business practices. The added savings have been reported to being redirected to battle addiction through treatment.
Illegal Drug Industry Trends In this realm is where the majority of changes have occurred. According to Schwartz, the changes we are seeing now will cause the illegal drug trade to completely change, and he feels that the industry will be completely gone within the next generation (2005, p. 51). His views may be a little far-fetched, but there is no doubt that the market is being flooded with new drugs. That doesn’t mean that the old school ones have left the building, as they are still alive and well, and actually have been evolving themselves. In the categories of oldies but goodies, cocaine, heroin and even marijuana have evolved as well. In this particular case, the influence of these drugs has increased rapidly, which allows for the manufacturers and dealers to need actually less than previous. Most believe that the evolution was likely going to happen anyways. In his studies, Thornton notes that “economic analysis of drug potency shows that public policies such as excise taxes and prohibitions provide the incentives to make and consume more potent drugs and that such policies provide an economic ‘gateway’ for the introduction of new, highly potent drug” (1998, p. 2). If this continues to be true, then Schwartz may not be far off in his belief that the illegal drug trade will completely change in as little as a few years. This belief will also likely harden those who are anti-prohibition in the enforcement arena as well.