For the last half century, governments all over the world have been involved in a gratuitous war against drugs, its users, producers and distributors, with the intention of creating a drug free world. This war has been lost evidenced by the exponential increase in drug consumption over the past two decades and the establishment of new drug trafficking syndicates across Southern Africa (Rolles et al, 2012). This is true for Zimbabwe, a country in the heart of Southern –Africa, like its global counterparts Zimbabwe adopted punitive prohibition, criminalising use, possession and production with harsh sentences (Ndlovu, 2012). This prohibitionist stance has created a multifaceted crisis for the country exacerbated by the structural ineptitudes of the government. A progressive and robust solution like decriminalisation is required immediately.
Nature and Magnitude of problem
The prohibitionist approach entrenched under Section 157 of the Criminal Act 23 of 2004 criminalises use, possession and production, with a maximum sentence of 14years. This prohibitionist policy has created a plethora of social, economic and political problems. The problems range from:
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Massive incarcerations. The scope of the current legislation is too wide, criminalising a wide range of activities. This has resulted in overcrowding of prisons, with the prison services nearing collapse.
An ever increasing budget for drug related prosecutions. The government allocates a substantial part of its budget to prosecuting drug related cases. Indirectly government spends a greater amount in keeping such offenders in prison.
An increase in drug addiction prevalence. There is no clear scientific correlation between criminalisation and decrease in drug us...
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...ecriminalised the trade and use of tobacco with high nicotine. The black market had escalated and thousands had been incarcerated but with decriminalisation, the illegal market was successfully annihilated (Zimbabwe’s Report Card on WHO, 2011). The government needs to act in a similar fashion to tackle this drug issue.
Concluding Remarks
Criminal justice system has failed to curb the problem of drugs; in fact it has brought about unintended consequences, impoverishing Zimbabwe and her people. Drug decriminalisation is the only viable policy option that the state has. In its pursuit of a governance path that is progressive and in line with global norms and trends, the government must act on the policy recommendations now. The government must respect the autonomy of citizens, enhance their quality of life and above all stand as guardian to protect them from any danger.
Prohibition not only failed in its promise to curb the social problem created by alcohol. It actually promoted s...
In Australia the Government uses three methods to tackle drugs; Demand reduction, supply reduction and harm minimization. Needle and syringe programs are under harm minimization category. Supply reduction is focused on drug dealers and drug makers and is brought about by law enforcement. In the Demand reduction method it is tried to decrease the number of people taking drugs through anti-drug advertisements and campaigns, legislation, rehabilitation centers. On the other hand harm minimization recognizes the fact that drugs can never be eradicated fro...
Brecher, E. (n.d.). Opium Smoking Is Outlawed. Licit and Illicit Drugs. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/cu/cu6.htm
Nowadays, the modern problem that closely mirrors the Prohibition is the war on drugs. Their illegal manufacture and sale is similar to the manufacture and sale of alcohol during the Prohibition. History repeats itself. Works Cited for: Currie, Stephen. Prohibition.
However, before the specific outcomes of Congressional influence and policy impact can be evaluated it becomes important to first review the general history and current situation of drugs today. Our present drug laws were first enacted at the beginning of the century. At the time, recreational use of narcotics was not a major social issue. The first regulatory legislation was for the purpose of standardizing the manufacturing and purity of pharmaceutical products. Shortly after, the first criminal laws were enacted which addressed opium products and cocaine. Although some states had prohibited the recreational use of marijuana, there was no federal criminal legislation until 1937. By contrast, the use of alcohol and its legality was a major social issue in United States in the early 20th century. This temperance movement culminated in the prohibition of alcohol from 1920 to 1933. Recreational drug use, particularly heroin, became more prevalent among the urban poor during the early ?60s. Because of the high cost of heroin and its uncertain purity, its use was associated with crime and frequent overdoses.
I base my support of the decriminalization of all drugs on a principle of human rights, but the horror and frustration with which I voice this support is based on practicality. The most tangible effect of the unfortunately labeled "Drug War" in the United States is a prison population larger than Russia's and China's, and an inestimable death toll that rivals the number of American casualties from any given war, disease or catastrophe.
The drugs issue is a major problem in Australia. A simple solution cannot be found to solve this great problem because there are so many decisions, thoughts and sacrifices that need to be made. All sides of the issue must be considered when making such a large decision. To find a solution, several tests, meetings, interviews and research need to be made, to name a few. Extreme care is needed when challenging such major issues, all aspects of the problem need to be considered.
Concerned authorities have focused essentially on criminalization and punishment, to find remedies to the ever-increasing prevalent drug problem. In the name of drug reducing policies, authorities endorse more corrective and expensive drug control methods and officials approve stricter new drug war policies, violating numerous human rights. Regardless of or perhaps because of these efforts, UN agencies estimate the annual revenue generated by the illegal drug industry at $US400 billion, or the equivalent of roughly eight per cent of total international trade (Riley 1998). This trade has increased organized/unorganized crime, corrupted authorities and police officials, raised violence, disrupted economic markets, increased risk of diseases an...
Nadelmann, Ethan. "DRUGS: THINK AGAIN." European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies. Sept.-Oct. 2007. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .
A “drug-free society” has never existed, and probably will never exist, regardless of the many drug laws in place. Over the past 100 years, the government has made numerous efforts to control access to certain drugs that are too dangerous or too likely to produce dependence. Many refer to the development of drug laws as a “war on drugs,” because of the vast growth of expenditures and wide range of drugs now controlled. The concept of a “war on drugs” reflects the perspective that some drugs are evil and war must be conducted against the substances
“Based on the 2011 final report of the New Zealand Law Commission, and following consultations with the industry, the new approach aims to balance the demand for access to such substances with the risk of likely harm to individuals and society” (EMCDDA 4). It is important that if we were to legalize such substances, we be sure take proper precautions. New Zealand has set the age limit to 18 and the drugs are not to be sold in convenience stores or places selling alcohol. Any drug legalized goes through extensive testing. In order for this legalization to be beneficial to communities and the society in general, it needs to be kept
The drug control policy of the United States has always been a subject of debate. From Prohibition in the early 1930’s to the current debate over the legalization of marijuana, drugs have always been near the top of the government’s agenda. Drug use affects every part of our society. It strains our economy, our healthcare, our criminal justice systems, and it endangers the futures of young people. In order to support a public health approach to drug control, the Obama administration has committed over $10 billion to drug education programs and support for expanding access to drug treatment for addicts (Office). The United States should commit more government resources to protect against illegal use of drugs by youths and provide help for recovering addicts.
The National Drug Control Strategy was issued two years ago to reduce drug use among teenagers and adults. The success of the President’s drug policy can be measured by its results. The student drug testing approach has reduced drug use and discouraged first time users significantly. Communities have been more actively involved in anti-drug programs for youth and adults. The increase in budget for law enforcement will enhance their effectiveness in detaining drug lords and cartels.
The war on drugs and the violence that comes with it has always brought around a hot debate about drug legalization. The amount of violence that is associated with drugs is a result from harsher drug laws and prohibition.
Wolf, M. (2011, June 4). We should declare an end to our disastrous war on drugs. Financial Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy.consortiumlibrary.org/docview/870200965?accountid=14473