Essay on Drug Issue in the US Criminal Justice System

The United States of America has very stringent anti-drug laws in the world but accounts for the highest level of illegal drug use. Between 50 and 80% of people test positive for drugs when they are arrested. Marijuana and cocaine account for high consumption rates. The perpetuated use of drugs has led to high crime rates leaving many stakeholders in the criminal justice system at loggerheads on whether criminalizing the drug will reduce the high level of consumption and crime or not (Dickinson,2012). The reason that informed my decision on picking this issue is the increase in the number of people using illicit drugs. Statistics indicate that the rate of illegal drug use increased by about 7.5% in 2012 compared to 5.7% in 2002.

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History of Drug Issue within the U.S. Criminal Justice System

The United States has experienced a succession of drug crises since the heroin and cocaine epidemics of the 196os and 1980s respectively. These epidemics have taken center stage in the criminal justice system with questions on how to alleviate and control such situations from happening in the future. During the epidemic of the 1980s, there was deepening anxiety among the public on the drug issue which led to drug control policies that have taken center stage in the legal and social landscape in the country (Belenko, 2000). U.S. is known for its stringent measures on fighting illegal drug use ranging from testing in the workplace to confinement in the prisons that are already overcrowded. Though there is much advocacy for legalization as a means to control and reduce illegal drug use, the current criminal justice system was designed to reduce demand by discouraging users, reduce supply by disrupting street level markets, and lessen the rate of street violence associated with drug use. To achieve this, resources were directed towards enforcement and imprisonment rather than prevention and treatment of the problem.

Strategies to address the drug issue

Since the current drug policies do not seem to be doing much to help, I would advocate for several measures to help resource the problem.

First, I would advocate for more resources to be channeled towards prevention and treatment rather than enforcement and incarceration. Drug users should be given effective treatment interventions for both the prison-based treatment or community correction model.

Secondly, community mobilization to reduce the number of users and drug markets should be encouraged.

Thirdly, states should offer alternatives to confinement of non-violent drug users.

Moreover, treatment-oriented drug courts should be encouraged. This model links the treatment of drug problems to criminal justice process

References

Belenko, S. R. (2000). Drugs and drug policy in America: A documentary history. Westport, Conn [u.a.: Greenwood Press.

Dickinson, E. (2012). The Ethics of the US Role in the Drug War. World Affairs.