Is the American War on Drugs Effective?

In so many ways, the modern world is currently in a state of flux. As we enter the 21st century, among the other complex issues that must be addressed is the viability or lack thereof of what has been termed the 'War on Drugs' in the United States. This paper will discuss this war from several pivotal points of view, with compelling arguments reinforced by relevant research where indicated.

Facts and History of the War on Drugs

An effort to curb the use of certain substances by making them illegal in America has ranged from the prohbibition of alcoholic beverages by Constitutional amendment in the early 20th century to the "Just Say No" campaigns of Nancy and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The fact is, however, fore all of the good intentions over the years, the futility of the modern American War on Drugs can be seen in an example from 1989, when 20,000 U.S. troops invaded Panama, obstensibly in the interest of stemming the tide of illegal drugs entering the U.S., capturing dictator Manuel Noreiga, at a cost of 1,000 innocent Panamanians killed. This action was in total disregard of international law and policy. In 1990, the American people learned of a secret U.S. military plan to invade South America in an attempt to destroy the drug trade. Such an action could have led to the death of many innocent civilians, the economic destruction on South America, an increase of taxes and an increase of inflation in the U.S.

Effectiveness of American Drug Policy Since its Inception

A Comparison with Drug Policy in Other Parts of the World

Currently, laws and policies in opposition to illegal drugs vary by nation from almost no punishment, to fines and imprisonment, to death (Holden-Rhodes, 1997). For all of these policies and all of their good intentions, however, policies have been ineffective. Granted, once a drug offender is executed their life of crime is over, but this is the rare exception to the rule, as the classic supply/demand scenario, addiction issues, and the like fuel the fire of recidivism in the illegal drug world, making virtually all current laws and policies ineffective (Kopp, 2003).

War on Drugs Policy and the War in Iraq