Bibliography

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Gov.uk (2014). Drug Misuse: Findings from the 2012 to 2013 Crime Survey for England and Wales. [Online] Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-misuse-findings-from-the-2012-to-2013-csew/drug-misuse-findings-from-the-2012-to-2013-crime-survey-for-england-and-wales. Last accessed 25th March 2015.

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Introduction

It is important that as a society we stop hiding away from the destabilising impact illicit drugs has on our society (Barton, 2011:54). Drug use has become more problematic than ever in a sense that children as young as 16 now have access to and are taking drugs. For example Statistics highlight that around 2.7 million people had taken an illicit drug within the last year so in Britain that is around 1 in 12 adults (Gov.uk, 2014).

In Britain today politicians have debated on ways to treat drugs as not only a problem concerning crime, but a health problem (Barton, 2011: 58-59). However not all parties are in support of this idea. Conservative politicians’ dispute that decriminalising drugs in the UK would be “lack of responsibility and a big danger” (The Guardian, 2015). On the other hand if the UK did consider decriminalising drugs, what affects would this have?

A lot the government’s report on decriminalising drugs is data on how successful this has been in Portugal. If we take a look at the data below there is only a slight fall in the use of drugs.

History and key issues

President Richard Nixon signed the war on drugs into law in 1972 after stating that drug addiction had “assumed the dimensions of a national emergency”, he requested an initial $84,000,000 for “emergency measures” (Vulliamy, 2011). The stated aim of his declaration was to reduce the illegal drug trade. However, after four decades of battling against drugs, there has been no significant or positive impact on the levels of drug use (Vulliamy, 2011). The numbers of drug use continues to rise worldwide. It is evident that the war on drugs has failed, and it is therefore questioned on why the government are continuing to support an ineffective policy (Vulliamy, 2011). Politicians worldwide are reviewing alternative options, the ‘war on drugs’ is a policy choice and there are other alternatives that should be considered (Counts the Costs). For example, prohibition e.g. the decriminalization of Cannabis in Holland. We will explore the alternatives, the benefits and drawbacks that surround these and consider whether the war on drugs should be ended.

One policy that is strongly supported by many law enforcement agencies in the US and UK is prohibition, however prohibition has disadvantages to it, Costa argues “Why open the floodgates to addiction by increasing access to drugs?” (Vulliamy, 2011). He wrote for this newspaper: “Maybe western governments could absorb the health costs of increased drug use, if that’s how taxpayers want their money spent. But what about the developing world? Why unleash an epidemic of addiction in parts of the world that already face misery and do not have the health and social systems to cope with a drug tsunami?” (Vulliamy, 2011). Costa proposed that “drugs should be regarded as a health issue”; he wanted to “reduce vulnerability to drugs in regions of the world where governance is weak”, and – calling the bluff of rich countries that host the big banks – “get serious about organised crime”. (Vulliamy, 2011).

Why is drugs such an important issue in contemporary society? Cross-nationally?

Statistics highlight the urgency of the issue, showing that the use of drugs worldwide is continually growing (The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse). Approximately 330,000 people within England are dependent on heroin and/or crack cocaine (The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse). It is common that individuals turn to crime as a way to fund their habits, and it is estimated that these crimes cost society £13.9bn a year (The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse). This demonstrates why this is such an important issue in society financially; if the war was to end then the money spent will be put use to something else which can be beneficial to society, it could be considered that it is currently being wasted.

The global war on drugs has been fought for decades, without achieving its original aim of reducing drug use. Furthermore, it has been noted that there are numerous other consequences of the war on drugs which also highlight why it should be ended (Count the Costs). These negative consequences result not from drug use itself but instead the punitive approach that is currently being used to approach the issue. For example, it is argued that this strict approach places control of the trade in the hands of organised crime and criminalises many drug users (Count the Costs). This process fuels conflict, threatens the health of the public by spreading illness and causing death, undermining human rights and promoting stigma and discrimination, creates crime, causes pollution and wasted billions of pounds every year (Count the Costs). This highlights the way in which we currently treat the issue of drugs, and drug users in fact exacerbates the problem, we are criminalising a segment of society that is most vulnerable. Punishing drug users has been proven ineffective and therefore it is crucial to examine alternative methods to reduce drug crimes.

Statistics: (The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse)

• Each year, 75,000 problem drug users enter the prison system
• 16% of all problem drug users are in prison at any one time
• On average, 55% of prisoners are problem drug users
• A third of all suicides in prison are committed during the first week of imprisonment; this rises to two thirds for suicides among prisoners who are drug dependent
• On release from prison, drug misusers are especially vulnerable to death from overdose – and the risk for women is double that for men.

These statistics highlight the intensity of the issue, and therefore underlines how important it is for an effective policy to be put into place.

Key debates

The first key debate is does drug use require punishment through the criminal justice system or medical attention through health services? Costa (Vulliamy, 2011) proposed that “drugs should be regarded as a health issue”. Those who take drugs can be considered as highly vulnerable people and therefore we should be supporting them instead of punishing them. We should be looking at rehabilitation and support as opposed to criminalization. Furthermore, Eldredge (2000) proposes as a nation we are taking the wrong approach to the drug problem, instead of punishing drug users we should be focusing on preventing the problem. The priority in ending the drug problem is education rather than incarceration, treatment not torment.

Moreover, another key debate lies within the concept of free will. Many argue that it is an individual choice to put whatever substances we wish in our own body, the government has neither the right nor the duty to punish us for these choices. Individual responsibility is the very essence of personal liberty and human rights. An example may be eating unhealthy, some foods can become harmful however if we continue to consume these foods it is our choice (Eldredge, 2000). If we are allowed to harm ourselves in this way, why is the idea of drugs different from this? There has been no recorded deaths linked to marijuana use however thousands of people die from heart problems that are linked to overeating, or unhealthy eating.

Arguments for the war on drugs

The prohibition and the war on drugs

It has been suggested that the prohibitions of illegal drugs do not eliminate the market. However do increase the rate of violent crimes and self-harming such as overdose. Although no solid data has been collected in the UK, evidence from USA Statistics highlight that since the current war on drugs began in 1971 homicide death rates as well as law enforcement expenditure increased. According to Professor Angela Dills it is significant to recognise that during this period of prohibitions there is indication the elimination of use does not happen rather, prohibitions covert to black markets which are peaceful and legal in their own right (Miron, JA.1999).

In black markets the helping hand of law enforcements are not available. Thus when clashes arise regarding money, product quality or sales territory. Drug dealers are forced to resolve these problems on their own, resulting into violence to resolve disputes.

Health and moral problem for society

As we know policy makers and the government are upholding the battle to fight for the war on drugs. The prohibition of illegal drugs is based on the notion of the health and moral issue, therefore the eradication of drugs would be beneficial. This is articulated through public safety, health and economic costs.

If drugs become more easily accessible then it can lead to greater harm for children which can lead to children of any age being able to use drugs. Also can cause more addicts in society which can affect public safety immensely and then the social structure starts to breakdown. Thus affecting the sanctions of social control. For example if we legalized drugs it would mean more people would do it in the private sphere such as the home. If we take our public servants such as the police or surgeons legalising illicit drugs would have a higher risk impact on society. Being on an operating table with a surgeon who is under the influence can have a bigger danger

Anyone around us could be a danger- unknowingly if it is legalized- causing lack of stability

Youth and drugs

The government’s attempt to strategically tackle drugs began in 1998, The BCS is used to help understand and target the reduction of drug abuse among 16-24 year olds. The wide range of sample group in age is used to help understand trends (if there are any) and an estimate of which age group are most vulnerable.

(Source: The home office, The British crime survey, 1996 -2005)

The table produced by the BCS clearly highlights the success of monitoring drug use amongst young people. From 1996 to 2004/5 there has been a drop in drop us. Although the drop is not a major fall the 3% less use of drugs is better than having over 30% of young adults involved in drugs. As time progresses and technology improves and more money is invested into regulating how drugs get into the hands of young people statistics may drop.

Arguments against war on drugs

This segment will be exploring how other criminological theories inform our understanding on the drug and crime debate. Labelling through discourse and rational choice offer substantive contributions against the war on drugs. The concept of drugs use links closely to the study of labelling theorist Howard Becker (1963).Through research and policy implications our knowledge of drugs is constructed through expertise knowledge on who ‘uses drugs’ and ‘how drugs are used’ and these are established through discourses such as punishment for the labelled users. Instead of looking at why particular social groups get involved in crime, labelling theorist seek to see why individuals may accept the label as ‘deviant’; as no act is inherently criminal itself (Glen, R et al, 2015). Foucault refers to the term discourse as an explanation of power relationships expressed through society (Grace,W and Mchoul,A.W.1995:35). His concept of ‘power and knowledge’ uses agents such as the media as the ‘powerful’ agency that inform, glamorize or stigmatise ‘the drug users’ who are punished through the criminal justice system and are in more cases likely to be incarcerated who are normally black- African American working class males(Glen,R et al, 2015).

This is an example of how power can be applied through the media to inform society with information of what the illegal drugs user looks like. However these bad labels may led to further deviance and also in some cases people are addicted to drugs or it might be a medical problem.

It is also key to consider the explanation choice theorist offer on the debate on drugs .It is contended that it is in the right of individuals to decide what substances they put into their body, legal or illegal drugs, this is not something that should not be decided by the state. To preface this argument rational choice theorist offer an explanation that individuals have free will. Cornish and Clarke (1987) proposed their theory based on the assumptions that “Criminals act to gain the greatest pleasure through crime” (Gaines, L.K and Kremling, J.2013:83). This relates to the idea of freedom in the neo-liberal state. This idea is exercised through the individuals’ freedom of right and responsibility. Thus people who take drugs have the freedom to indulge in drugs as much as they desire. Other expert knowledge constructed through discourse include operation through public health. Harm minimisation and official discourse encourages users to ‘harm safely ‘.For example strategies for drug misuser’s attendance to support drug programmes are seen as more beneficial to reduce the abuse of drugs. The harm minimisation approach aims to address licit/ illicit drugs and alcohol issues by reducing the harmful consequences it has on the individual’s welfare, public health and society. This idea constructs the recreational user who makes rational, free choice. Per contra dependant drug users are constructed as sick, irresponsible, bad decision makers who lack reasoning skills.
However this notion can be countered that choice theory only makes an assumption that individual have ‘free will’. The paradoxical argument of how safe

Also another idea that argues against the war on drugs is the toleration of other dangerous drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco as well as some prescription and over the counter substances suggests a sense of hypocrisy. For example tobacco is a lot more harmful to the body than drugs such a marijuana, tobacco also increase the chances on cancer.

END THE WAR ON DRUGS FACT

Other websites/ sources of information regarding drugs..

There are many other websites and sources that can be of use for those of you who wish to learn more on the topic of the war on drugs..First of all there is the gov website (https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reducing-drugs-misuse-and-dependence). This is very useful as it gives up to date statistics regarding all sort of information on drugs. For example,“crimes related to drugs cost the UK £13.3 billion every year” (Gov, 2013). This gives a more realistic understanding of the seriousness of drugs and as the government implement the laws related to drugs ad for drug users it would help to see why and what they do. Another useful website about drugs is the NHS (http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Drugshome.aspx). This gives knowledge on the effects of drugs, how those on drugs can get help, advice for families and even has real life stories from parent’s whose children have been addicted to drugs. The NHS play an important role in the topic of drugs because they treat drug users and provide a deeper understanding about it such as the emotional and physical affects of drugs. They are those experts who provide society and government with this information and without this knowledge it would prove difficult to see the realistic effect of drugs.

Below are some other websites and useful sources on the battle on the war on drugs.

1. Success story of police tackling the drug trade of cocaine in 2012 – Southampton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj7zX9wLVP0

2. The Gov UK website from the Home office

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drugs-international-comparators

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reducing-drugs-misuse-and-dependence

3. Data released from the home house on statistics on drug misuse finding in 2013/14 from the crime survey in England and wales. This documents informs the reader on the latest national statistics for England.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335993/snr_drug_misuse_2013_14.pdf

4. https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reducing-drugs-misuse-and-dependence