Introduction
US as well as other countries have formulated numerous strategies to help in the fight against drug abuse, production, trade, distribution, and addiction. This is a critical provision in the realms of rehabilitating drug addicts and banning business regarding illicit drugs (illegal trade).
It is notable that the country (United States) has made remarkable steps with its ‘War on Drugs’ initiative despite the challenges. The country (in conjunction with other associated states) has managed to establish, ratify, and embrace programs that promote the fight against drug trade and abuse among the youth, adults, and other vulnerable groups in the society.
It is agreeable that US’s ‘War on Drugs’ has been an effective substance abuse prevention plan despite the hiccups that the program faces and its inability to attain some of its designated mandates within the specified durations among the poor (Caulkins, 2005).
Since the inception of the program, several considerable results have been realized towards the prevention of drug peddling and abuse by some sections of the society. Additionally, US have managed to jail some of the drug users and peddlers. It remarkably reduced the trade, distribution, and use of cocaine and other illicit drugs among the people.
There are remarkable results exhibited among the middle and wealthier people (in the reduction of drug use); nonetheless, there have been negligible results among the poor people who have not comprehended the disadvantages associated with drug abuse and addiction.
Major Arguments
Evidently, it is crucial to understand the importance of fighting drug abuse and addiction in the context of establishing and nurturing a healthy and productive nation. It is agreeable that US’s ‘war on drugs’ has registered considerable results in the fight against drug peddling, distribution, abuse, and addiction. This has been a critical substance abuse prevention plan in the US’s context.
The government has managed to reduce the drug consumption rates and trading incidences by arresting and jailing drug dealers and the concerned abusers in the international context.
Nonetheless, it has been challenged to incorporate education programs that could enlighten the society about the atrocities of drug abuse, trade, and addiction. Otherwise, this program has had remarkable challenges among the poor communities as indicated earlier. It is crucial to consider such provision with regard to the efforts meant to prevent drug use.
In the US’s contexts, several presidents have managed to establish and embrace varied programs meant to curb the aspects of drug use and addiction. For example, George Bush managed to reduce the abuse of cocaine with nearly 22%. This was a considerable move under the ‘war on drugs’ initiative.
Despite this, it is agreeable that the initiative (war on drugs) has not eradicated drug abuse and addiction instances as mandated during its inception. This is a critical occurrence following the increasing drug abuse instances and other relevant provisions in the entire context.
Evidently, there have been several challenges faced by the ‘war on drugs’ initiative as indicated earlier. This has hampered its success remarkably despite the efforts to eradicate the aspects of drug abuse, addiction, and other relevant factors. It is crucial to note such providences in the contexts of international drug trade.
Similarly, it is delightful that ‘war on drugs’ has made considerable landmarks in the fight against drug use, production, trade, and distribution following its ability to reduce the instance of drug peddling mentioned earlier. Since the law prohibits any business/dealings regarding illicit drugs, it is crucial to note that the initiative has helped in establishing and embracing such laws.
It forms a critical organ in proposing, initiating, and establishing laws/policies governing drug abuse and addiction. Despite the challenges and other considerable concerns characterizing this initiative, it is agreeable that ‘war on drugs’ has been an effective substance abuse prevention plan.
It is just that the public has not cooperated with the stipulations of this initiative. It is evident that such plans demand public corporation in order to realize substantial results. Nonetheless, the initiative has made considerable accomplishments as indicated earlier despite the challenges. This is a notable progress made by the initiative despite the hiccups.
Concurrently, 10-15% of prohibited heroin and 30% of illegal cocaine have been intercepted in the recent past. Higher figures have been expected although other stakeholders mandated to eradicate such drugs have not accomplished their obligations as expected. This is a critical consideration in various contexts. It is crucial to note that some efforts to fight drug abuse and addiction instances have been thwarted by none-responsiveness (Kellogg, 2003).
Additionally, the public has not cooperated fully as demanded from them. ‘War on Drugs’ has favored domestic law endorsement efforts in order to eradicate drug abuse and addiction in US and internationally; nonetheless, the initiative has registered considerable resistance from drug cartels and other shipment agents who dominate the business.
This is an important observation in the context of fighting drug abuse, trade, and the alleged addiction. Importantly, it is censurable that US’s ‘war on drugs’ has been an effective substance abuse prevention plan despite challenges. It only needs a critical restructure in its entire frameworks in order to realize any considerable result in its endeavors.
Some of the policies governing the initiative have become obsolete, a fact that has rendered the ‘war on drugs’ ineffective at some points. Nevertheless, the initiative has made remarkable accomplishments in its era. It is arguable that there are some difficulties in eradicating the aspects of drug abuse, peddling, and addiction as indicated earlier.
This has made some organizations, individuals, activists, and other relevant entities to declare ‘war on drugs’ as a failure in its mandates (Williams, 2012). It is important to understand the entire aspects of this provision. Several sources have indicated that ‘war on drugs’ has failed to accomplish most of its obligations especially in the societies of low class (poor people).
This is agreeable; however, it is crucial to consider several factors regarding this issue as well as some of the accomplishments already achieved by the program. Based on these arguments, it is important to agree that US’s ‘war on drugs’ has been an effective substance abuse prevention plan despite the challenges as indicated earlier. Its formulation and other relevant obligations have ensured that the abuse, sale, and illegal trading in drugs are minimized.
It is crucial to agree that US established the initiative majorly to eradicate consumption and trade on illegal drugs. This is a crucial provision due to its ability to discern the issues related to drug use and addiction. The increase in violence and crimes associated with drug abuse has become a massive concern in US and beyond.
There are critical factors regarding this factor. Additionally, ‘war on drugs’ has endeavored to fight these problems regardless of the situation. Since drug peddlers, users, and other cartels have been formulating new trends in order to counter the efforts put by the government, the program has not accomplished its full mandates as expected (Blair, 2011). Nevertheless, what it has attained is quite substantial when considered critically.
There are claims that the use of cocaine, heroin, and crack increased considerably during the ‘war on drugs’ era. Additionally, the aspects of crime and other related atrocities escalated remarkably; however, these cannot thwart the entire accomplishments of this initiative.
Despite the challenges, the achievements of this substance abuse prevention plan have been considerable. At least it has restricted trade on illicit drugs, enlightened masses on the problems associated with drug abuse and addiction, initiated the prosecution of drug peddlers/cartels, and prohibited the prevalence on drug abuse.
Conclusion
It is vital to agrees that US’s ‘war on drugs’ has been an effective substance abuse prevention plan despite the drawbacks and its inability to accomplish some of its mandates. Since its inception, the initiative has mandated to eradicate trades on illicit drugs, discourage drug consumption and addiction, and prosecute drug dealers in order to avoid shipments and trafficking of illegal drugs including cocaine, heroin, crack, and other addictive substances.
Although there are considerable claims that ‘war on drugs’ has not managed to eliminate drug use, trafficking, and associated addictions, it is still agreeable that its plans have made some remarkable achievements. By endeavoring to prohibit trade on illicit drugs, the initiative, ‘war on drugs’, forms substantial drug abuse prevention machinery.
It is crucial to consider this provision in various contexts including drug abuse and addiction phenomena. Another prominent consideration in this context is the obligations bestowed on the organ. Nonetheless, fighting drug use, trade, and addiction has been a challenging task both to the government and other relevant/concerned organizations.
References
Blair, E. (2011). 10 Ways the War on Drugs is a Wild Success. Web.
Caulkins, J. (2005). How goes the “war on drugs”?: An assessment of US drug problems and policy. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corp.
Kellogg, W. (2003). American history: The easy way. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s.
Williams, R. (2012). Why “The War on Drugs” Has Failed. Web.