America's Drug War - Is it Worth It?

When you think of prisons what do you think of? Maybe you think of murderers and rapists. Maybe you think of robbers or white collar criminals. What if I told you, there are more people locked up in prison for drug related crimes than property crimes? What if I told you people who are locked up in prison for drug related crimes are serving longer sentences than robbers, burglars, and aggravated assault? How would that make you feel?

It has been over twenty years since America's war on drugs campaign began. The government's philosophy is getting them off the streets by locking them up. This may be the worst form of punishment for some drug offenders. Most drug offenders who are sent to prison are sent there with an addiction and do not receive proper rehabilitation. Since there are not adequate resources to rehabilitate drug offenders in the criminal justice system, most drug offenders become repeat offenders.

Is the government really doing its best in waging a war on drugs in America? I think the government is the only one benefiting from locking up all drug offenders. Poor and minority offenders are often misrepresented in the corrections system and when looking at drug offenders. It is obvious they are not benefiting from the war on drugs. The drug war is not waged on equality, but many lower class minorities find themselves direct targets. The government needs to look at some of the alternatives to criminalizing drugs and provide some form of help and therapy to those who are affected by drugs.