Argumentative Essay: The War On Drugs

There is an ever-raging "War on Drugs" in our nation and communities. Per a 2010 National Survey released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That’s approximately one in every 10 Americans over the age of 12. But only 11 percent of those with an addiction receive treatment” (Defining the Addiction Treatment Gap 2-6). The issue of how to solve the addiction problem and the “War on Drugs” is a long-standing and highly debated issue. Drug addiction has become criminalized rather than a disease. This should be changed. Society should be assisting those who are addicted by helping organize and fund rehabilitation programs to help them become sober. I believe

When someone overdoses on drugs and emergency medical services are called, there are Good Samaritan laws that keep the caller and overdose victim safe from arrest or prosecution for simple drug possession, possession of paraphernalia and being under the influence (Drug Policy Alliance 1). These laws allow the overdose victim to walk away from an overdose and do not require any intervention or rehab to occur. When emergency medical services are called, it is evident that there is a problem. But due to these Good Samaritan laws, the addicts that needed help after an overdose can simply go back to using drugs because they were not required to seek medical attention or enter a rehabilitation program. The problems of drug addiction and overdoses continue to be evident in our society because Good Samaritan laws are protecting addicts and their families from seeing the real issue of addiction that is affecting them. The way our society is built and run currently only allows for drug addicts to continue being addicts because no intervention or assistance is available or forced upon

Society and public policy have taught us all that drug addicts and alcoholics are all to blame for their addictions. It has put the weight of sobriety directly on the shoulders of those most disadvantaged by their conditions and addictions. While we are all ultimately responsible for our actions, it is unfair to simply place the blame of addiction at the feet of addicts and expect them to clean up their own mess. According to the National Drug Institute, “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” (The Science of Addiction 5). Addiction is a disease, but it is not treated like one. If someone was diagnosed with heart disease, doctors and the patient’s family would intervene right away to help improve the patient’s life and help the patient live a healthy life again. But compared to drug addicts, society is less willing to help those addicted improve their life. If someone was addicted to drugs, society thinks that the addict should admit their problem and get themselves help. But this is not always possible due to financial resources and the mental state of the drug addict. Both patients have a disease but they are treated very differently; this needs to be