Counter Narcotics One of the biggest problems in the United States today is the widespread use of narcotics. Currently, the United States has a very stern policy regarding the use, distribution, and trafficking of drugs. However, it is clear that the current U.S. policy is failing, and the supply of illegal drugs as well as the demand is increasing. The U.S. government has focused for years on dealing with the demand aspect of this issue. Through government programs directed towards education and national awareness of the harm that drugs cause, the government has been attempting to severely reduce the demand for narcotics. In all actuality, the demand may be higher now than ever before. To prevent the supply of illegal drugs from increasing, the government has relied on strict boarder patrols along Mexico, the U.S. Coast Guard, the cooperation of foreign governments, and several U.S. agencies designed to locate and aid in eliminating drugs. This policy on decreasing the supply is also failing. It is probably easier now for drug traffickers than ever before. It is clear that the current U.S. policy on drugs is failing and that a new policy is needed. In order to win the war on drugs, the U.S. needs to decrease the supply, because the demand will always be high as long as there is a supply to back it up. The question then, is how to decrease the supply when our current policies are clearly failing. The best solution to this is very harsh, but it needs to be done. If the U.S. government is willing to spend a significant amount of money on this issue, then we have to be willing to rely on a solution that will lead to positive results. The only course of action that can accomplish the goal of significantly reducing the supp... ... middle of paper ... ... action has been taken. The fact of the matter is that no one in the world today defies us, except certain Middle East countries, and no would take serious action against us for going in and destroying criminals that corrupt and destroy many people’s lives. The use of military force is needed if we are going to win the war on drugs. Why throw away so much money if we aren’t willing to get positive results. Our current drug policies to diminish demand and cut back on supply are failing. These are the same policies we’ve used in the past, and things have gotten worse. If our government really wants to accomplish something, we need to go in and show the cartels and the international community that we are dead serious about our stance on narcotics, and that drug criminals will be dealt with the utmost severity. Let’s quit wasting money and finally get some results.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the current u.s. policy on drugs is failing and that a new policy is needed to win the war against drugs.
- Opines that the best solution to reduce the supply of narcotics is to target the cartels themselves by using the u.s. military in some form.
- Argues that the u.s. military's use of force would create international outrage against the united states. drug cartels are criminals of the us, and they are in direct violation of our law.
- Opines that force from our military is needed if we are to win the war on drugs.
- Opines that the international community would condemn our actions, but no country would take any action against us. no one in the world today defies us except certain middle east countries.
- Opines that military force is needed if we are going to win the war on drugs. their current drug policies to diminish demand and cut back on supply are failing.
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- Mexico's Drug Warexplanatory essayA former director of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency’s Mexican office once stated:” The heroin market abhors a vacuum.” The truth in this statement can be extended to not only the heroin trade but also the trade of numerous other drugs of abuse; from cocaine to methamphetamines, the illicit drug trade has had a way of fluidity that allows insert itself into any societal weakness. Much like any traditional commodity good, illicit drugs have become not only an economy in and of themselves, they have transformed into an integral part of the legitimate global economy. Whether or not military or law enforcement action is the most prudent or expedient method of minimizing the ill-effects of the illicit drug trade is of little consequence to the understanding of the economic reality of its use in the United States ongoing “War on Drugs”. As it stands, not only has the illicit drug trade transformed itself into a self-sufficient global economy, so too has the drug-fighting trade. According to a CNN report in 2012, in the 40 years since the declaration of “The War on Drugs”, the United States Federal Government has spent approximately $1 trillion in the fight against illicit drugs. Additionally, a report in the New York Times in 1999 estimates that federal spending in the “War on Drugs” tops $19 billion a year and state and local government spending nears $16 billion a year. Given the sheer magnitude of federal, state, and local spending in the combat of the illicit drug trade, one would reasonably expect that the violence, death, and destruction that so often accompanies the epicenters of the drug economy would be expelled from the close proximity of the United States. While this expectation is completely reasonable to the ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the illicit drug trade has transformed itself into a self-sufficient global economy in the united states' ongoing "war on drugs".
- Explains that the current power struggles and war on drugs in mexico is reshaping long-held law enforcement policy in the united states.
- Explains that the mexican drug war started with operation michoacan in 2006, but the seeds of the current war were sowed decades earlier.
- Explains that the dadeland mall massacre of 1979 was the beginning of the new era in cocaine trafficking and gratuitous violence in the united states.
- Explains that while the medellin and cali cartels were two distinct groups, they can be effectively combined into the larger grouping of columbian drug traffickers.
- Describes how the nydetf, and lead investigator kenneth robinson, unraveled the reality of the cali cartel in new york city in the late summer of 1979.
- Explains how columbian authorities and the search bloc were able to substantially dismantle the colombian cocaine traffic of the cali and medellin cartels.
- Explains that 32 local and state law enforcement officers complete ice immigration enforcement training officers graduate after rigorous four-week training.
- Explains alvarado, francisco, and miami new times. miami: see it like a drug dealer.
- States that associated press has confirmed the death of zetas boss heriberto lazcano.
- Explains bates, theunis, "a mexican drug cartel's rise to dominance." the week, january 25, 2014.
- Cites berger, judson, and fox news' article, "cartel connection? senator presses agency on mexico military's incursion into us."
- Opines that the u.s. to embed agents in mexican law enforcement units battling cartels in juarez.
- Analyzes branson's "war on drugs a trillion-dollar failure." cnn.
- States capps, randolph, "the role of local police - appendix f." police foundation.
- Explains that chepesiuk, ron, authored the bullet or the bribe: taking down colombia's cali drug cartel.
- Opines that chepesiuk, ron, "the fall of the cali cartel." crime magazine, october 21, 2006.
- Explains that drug enforcement administration. major traffickers. schaffer library of drug policy.
- Explains that estevez, dolia, is of "mexican drug kingpin el chapo guzmán's fairy tale: i'm innocent and just a farmer."
- Cites grillo, ioan's article, "mexico cracks down on violence." seattle post-intellegencer.
- Cites human rights watch's world report 2012: mexico, which is available at http://www.hrw.org.
- Cites iaconangelo's article, "el chapo guzmán captured; how did he escape from jail in 2001?" latin times.
- States that jones, steven t., “what does the drug war cost?” media awareness project, june 24, 1999.
- Explains that border patrol report describes 29 armed mexican incursions into us.
- Explains that the number of mexicans killed in the drug war surpasses that of yanks in vietnam.
- Narrates how the mexican army invaded pot plantations. usa today, december 21, 2006. accessed april 9, 2014.
- Analyzes luhnow, david, and jose de cordoba's article, "the drug lord who got away mexican capo unleashes mayhem on u.s. border; the making of a legend."
- Explains malloy, molly, "the mexican undead: toward a new history of the "drug war" killing fields." small wars journal.
- Cites marosi, richard, “anti-drug general ousted.” los angeles times, august 09, 2008.
- Cites marosi, richard, and the los angeles times.
- Explains mccoy, alfred w., the politics of heroin: cia complicity in the global drug trade.
- Explains that mexican troops cross border, hold border agent. newsmax, august 06, 2008.
- Explains miller, todd, mexico's emerging narco-state. north american congress on latin america.
- Opines that sen. coburn's report on mexican military incursions into us territory is not rare.
- Cites reuters' article, “u.s. border agent kills mexican teen.” toronto sun, june 08, 2010.
- Explains that after years on run, sinaloa cartel chief 'el chapo' guzman arrested.
- Opines that mexico is transit for 90 percent of cocaine; corruption hinders war on drugs.
1610 wordsRead More - Legalizing Drugs or Joining the Drug Addict Circle?opinion essayOver the years, drug abuse has been a rising problem in almost every country in the world. Day by day more people are involved in this endless cycle of drug craving, money shortage, and drug related crimes. Congressmen and politicians of United States, seeing this unstoppable crime wave which is about to spread throughout the country, begin to address various kinds of possible solutions to end this crisis in the most efficient and effective way. As discussed in Alan M. Dershowitz's "The Case for Medicalizing Heroin" and Charles B. Rangel's "Legalize Drugs? Not on Your Life," the most popular proposition set forward by growing number of leaders now is to legalize the use of drugs; but will it help solving the problem or make it even worse? I agree with Rangel that in order to end drugs abuse completely, we have to find the root of the problem and use any forces necessary and retain the determination to keep on fighting because it will not be an easy battle.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that in order to end drugs abuse completely, we have to find the root of the problem and use any forces necessary.
- Analyzes how dershowitz believes that legalizing drugs would improve the present situation, and that giving drug addicts a fair dosage is better than letting them committing crimes just to get enough money to afford drugs.
- Argues that legalizing drugs is not a simple task as dershowitz thinks it is, and that the government has to make sure they always have everything in control.
- Opines that the best way to deal with drugs is to start from the heart of this problem and fight it.
- Opines that fighting drugs is not a responsibility of the government, but everyone in the country, and we can do it as long as we all put our hearts into it with determination.
545 wordsRead More - America’s War on Drugs vs. Legalizationanalytical essayThe United States has spent over 30 years fighting the war on drugs. Americans have paid a heavy price financially. The drug enforcement budget is now $40 billion. A lot of time, effort, and money go into America’s attempt in eliminating trafficking, dealing, and the use of illegal drugs. Many believe that this is a war worth fighting, while others feel that America will never conquer the war on drugs. The latter suggest legalization as an alternative plan that will help save the country millions of dollars. In this paper, I will examine the history of the drug war as well as the arguments for and against fighting the war on drugs.
In this essay, the author
- Examines the history of the drug war and the arguments for and against fighting the war on drugs.
- Explains that the pure food and drug act said that certain drugs could only be sold on prescription.
- Explains that the comprehensive drug abuse prevention and control act was the law that made the most impact on the drug addiction population.
- Explains that president ronald reagan declared the "war on drugs" in his weekly radio address. reagan increased anti-drug spending from about 1 billion dollars to about 5 billion during his two terms.
3400 wordsRead More - America's War on Drugsanalytical essayIn the early 1970s, the War on Drugs was still relatively new and drug smuggling continued, going virtually unimpeded through the U.S. northern border (Stout 34). For over 40 years, the War on Drugs (implemented by former President Richard Nixon) had cost the United States an estimated one trillion dollars, for what is believed to be nothing more than an “objective to stomp out growing social discontent in the country” (Stout 38).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that americans have fought many enemies that threaten the safety of our great nation and provided aid and resources to our partnering countries in their time of despair. today, america fights a war on drugs.
- Analyzes how the war on drugs cost the united states an estimated one trillion dollars for what is believed to be nothing more than an objective to stomp out growing social discontent in the country.
- Explains that drug smugglers were beginning to create smaller organizations throughout mexico, breaking all ties with the larger organizations. with criminal activity escalating, president nixon created the drug enforcement administration (dea) in 1973.
- Analyzes how drug production and smuggling was an essential way of life for many hispanics throughout mexico, but the united states continued to provide financial and military aid throughout decades of uncertainty.
- Explains that in the mid-1990s, the united states government declared a drug-free american in response to the protest of the war on drugs campaign.
- Explains that the united states southern border is the most accessible location for drug smuggling. over 90% of the drugs make their way into the u.s.
- Analyzes how violence in mexico had caught the attention of the social media. television networks had portrayed narcotics as more of a "social norm" than what they really are.
- Analyzes how the increase of violence in mexico and news media covering drug cartels slaughtering innocent citizens provoked legislators from both countries to proclaim tougher approaches, using more military resources as an intervention.
- Opines that the war on drugs has been responsible for more violence amongst police officials and innocent citizens, debating to call national debate to address this issue.
- Opines that the war on drugs should be amended with the growing demand for drugs in the united states.
- Explains that in 2009, the u.s. national drug intelligence center reported an estimated $38 billion from drug cartels as the demand for narcotics increased throughout the united states.
- Argues that the war on drugs is a necessity for america's safety and preventative for the young and nave youths to consider the alternative before the consequences.
- Argues that the war on drugs is fundamentally responsible for the violence that engulfs mexico. the real issues, rather than suggest responsibility, would be to focus on the drug issues.
- Opines that the war on drugs is flawed, spending billions of dollars to protect our neighboring country and the borders, but without implementing practices that would eradicate the drug demand and focus on ways to rehabilitate the endless number of drug addicts.
- Asks whether the war on drugs should end to legalize drugs, or should the attention be directed more to why it was implemented decades ago.
- Concludes that rather than advocate the demise of the war on drugs, focus on its ability to succeed society and prevent the torrent of illegal drugs into the united states.
- Cites bussey, jane, and campos, isaac. "in search of real reform: lessons from mexico's long history of drugprohibition."
- Analyzes martin, william's "texas high ways." texas monthly 37.10 (2009): 148. mas ultra school edition.
1823 wordsRead More - Combating Drug Use in Americaanalytical essayThe use of illegal drugs has plagued society for thousands of years. Illicit drugs use can be found all around the world. The War on Drugs is a term applied to a campaign on the prohibition of drugs of drug use, with the effort to reduced illegal drug trades. The current War on Drugs has affected our society physically and emotionally, and should end for the better of our society immediately. When the War on Drugs began, it was “The expectation that drug trafficking in the United States could be greatly reduced in a short amount of time through federal policing and yet the war on drugs continues to this day.” (Becker1) The war on drugs is an unwinnable war.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war on drugs is a campaign on the prohibition of drugs of drug use, with the effort to reduce illegal drug trades.
- Explains that the war on drugs was first implemented on july 14, 1969, when president richard nixon identified that major drug abuse in this country was a national threat to society.
- Explains that the war on drugs has had a significant impact on youth by informing them of the dangers of drugs.
- Analyzes how the war on drugs is a trillion-dollar failure.
1107 wordsRead More - Marijuana Today: The Under Ground Marketanalytical essayIn 1971, President Richard Nixon declared a “War on Drugs” to attempt to stop the illegal drug trade, and shape America’s drug policy. In order for the “War on Drugs” to be carried out, they used the newly created Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the U.S. military to stop trade coming in and out of the country and stop smuggling in the U.S. In today’s world, this has become a trillion dollar effort to stop the illegal trade in America.
In this essay, the author
- Explains marijuana: some straight answers. the university of oregon, 2010.
- Explains that the underground market allows the trade of illegal goods and services, which generates billions of dollars and isn't legal in the u.s.
- Argues that marijuana can help save money due to the loss of arrests and incarcerations for possession, keeping the u.s. at the number 1 spot.
- Analyzes schick, david, belville, russ, and fairchild, caroline. "legalizing marijuana would generate billions in additional tax revenue."
1010 wordsRead More - The Coca and the Cocaine Waropinion essayThe “War on Cocaine” has been trying to fight a battle on two fronts. The first objective of the American government is to deter the consumer from using illegal products. The genesis of punishment against users is sited in the 1914 Harrison Act, in which addicts and others that possessed drugs were punished for buying or possessing cocaine or heroin without a prescription (Bertram, 26). This act began a trend that still today allows law enforcement to arrest the user along with the supplier. The supplier (drug trafficker) is the key in this type of police action, because most of the time the user will be unaware of the exact origin of the substance or have any knowledge as to where it was purchased or manufactured. The main problem with this type of arrest is that 70 to 75 percent of the narcotic arrests per year are for possession and only 25 to 30 percent are for actual drug trafficking offenses. Although the user should not be overlooked, a greater emphasis ought to be focused on the supplier in order to reach the actual manufacturer of the illegal substances.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the current "war on drugs" involves skirmishes in an arena with two fronts: the consumer and the manufacturer.
- Explains that the "war on cocaine" is trying to fight a battle on two fronts. the first objective of the american government is to deter the consumer from using illegal products.
- Explains that the other front of the "war on drugs" comes from locating and shutting down the manufacturers of cocaine.
- Explains that the key influence of the coca market comes from the andean countries of south america: peru, bolivia, and colombia.
- Explains that the coca plant has a significant social value in the andean culture.
- Opines that the only solution to fighting the cocaine manufacturers is to strike the operations that are actually producing the illegal product.
- Opines that the two fronts, the consumer and the manufacturer, of the "war on drugs" are not easy to identify.
820 wordsRead More - The War on Drugs and U.S. Foreign Policyopinion essayThe U.S. government has instituted the following ways for enforcing its foreign drug policy: interdiction, eradication, legislative reform. Interdiction is the attempt to stop drugs as they are en route to the United States. This remains to be a formidable task; because of the enormous size of the United States, policing its vast borders has proven to be extremely difficult. For example, the United States has over 12,000 miles of shoreline, through 300 ports of legal entry, and over 7,500 miles of border with Canada and Mexico. The jurisdiction of these border points fall under all of the above mentioned agencies and military branches. Herein lays the first problem of foreign policy on drugs, determining which agency/branch has rightful control over which part of the border. The DEA and FBI have overlapping roles in when it comes to enforcing drug policy. Miscommunication often happens when attempting to interdict drugs because of overlapping jurisdiction between two government agencies. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, the United States has spent over $25 billion on s...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that eradication is the next aspect of enforcing u.s. foreign drug policy. reduction of drug crops in one country may lead to increased production in another.
- Opines that the last way the united states enforces foreign policy on drugs is legislative reform, which entails laws passed to combat drug trafficking.
- Argues that the current efforts of interdiction and eradication have had a minimal impact on stopping the flow of drugs into the united states.
- Describes the united states' strategy of interdiction in the war on drugs, which includes forward operating bases in central and south american countries, aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.
- Explains that the first step is to maintain an adequate shield that will effectively block coca paste transportation into columbia.
- Analyzes how the u.s. uses the e-3 sentry airborne warning and control system (awacs) to monitor airborne threats.
- Explains that the limit to u.s. troops and contractors operating out of columbia was 800. congress passed a $1.3 billion dollar aid package centered on policing drug trafficking.
- Argues that the u.s. military is an adviser to the host country and will train local security forces and swat teams on how to intercept shipments.
- Explains that the air bridge denial strategy hasn't been the most effective approach to drug interdiction, but there's a viable tactic, that is that of border interdiction.
- Opines that a concerted effort should be made on both borders to eliminate illegal drugs from entering the country.
- Proposes a way to cut out the inefficiencies of individual agencies by combining their drug enforcing components under one command structure.
- Explains the purpose of drug eradication, which is to eliminate drug crops before they can be cultivated and manufactured for profit.
- Argues that the united states and south american countries need to form a legal alliance to punish drug traffickers to fullest extent of the law.
- Opines that legal punishment should play as much a factor as interdiction and eradication efforts in the minds of tomorrow’s drug traffickers.
- Opines that the biggest problem facing the war on drugs today is miscommunication between the united states and host countries.
- Defines the war on drugs as the systematic and aggressive policy that is determined to undermine and stop the flow of illegal drugs into the united states.
- Opines that eradication reform needs to come in the way of better intelligence and communication before the actual pesticide spraying takes place.
- Opines that mexican and u.s. government agencies face a huge disadvantage when corrupt officials in other countries make it easier for drug smugglers to cross the border.
4159 wordsRead More - The War on Drugsanalytical essayThe war on drugs began in the United States in 1971 when President Richard Nixon declared war. President Nixon increased the number of federal drug control agencies, increased mandatory sentences for drug offenders, and utilized no-knock warrants in attempt to get the problem under control. It has been over forty years since President Nixon declared a war on drugs. Did America win the war on drugs? Is it time to legalize illicit drugs in this country? What are other countries doing in reference to drugs? The author will examine the history of the war on drugs in this country, how other countries deal with drugs, list the positive and negative aspect of legalizing illicit drugs, and offer his opinion as to whether drugs should be decriminalized or not.
In this essay, the author
- Examines the history of the war on drugs in the united states, how other countries deal with drugs, and lists the positive and negative aspect of legalizing illicit drugs.
- Explains that the swiss government wants to legalize cannabis and put state provisions of heroin to addicts on a permanent legal footing.
- Explains that latin american countries suggested legalization and decriminalization of illicit drugs as an effective approach to reduce drug violence. legalization reduces cartel influence, unpacks overcrowded prisons, and eradicates police corruption.
- Argues that decriminalization or legalization of illicit drugs will reduce violent crimes, solve the problem of overcrowded prisons, and save taxpayers billions of dollars annually.
- Opines that drug legalization in latin america could be the answer.
- Explains that we are the drug policy alliance, a brief history of the drug war.
- Explains that the first anti-drug laws were established in the 1800s because of the specific ethnic groups associated with particular drugs, such as chinese opium, blacks cocaine, and mexicans marijuana.
- Explains that marijuana is a greenish-brown mixture of dried leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers that contains the psychoactive chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or thc.
- Explains that the benefits of legalizing illicit drugs are numerous and obvious to the supporters of this movement.
1571 wordsRead More - Office of National Drug Control Policyanalytical essayOffice of National Drug Control and the Present Threat Over the last decade, Southwest border violence has elevated into a national security concern. Much of the violence appears to stem from the competing growth and distribution networks that many powerful Mexican drug cartels exercise today. The unfortunate byproduct of this criminality reaches many citizens of the Mexican border communities in the form of indiscriminate street gang shootings, stabbings, and hangings which equated to approximately 6,500 deaths in 2009 alone (AllGov, 2012). That same danger which now extends across the border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California has the potential for alarming escalation. Yet, despite the violence, evermore-brazen behavior continues to grow, as does America’s appetite for drugs.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the office of national drug control policy should shift its current policy formulation efforts to only drug demand reduction because treatment and prevention efforts are inadequate.
- Explains that reagan established the office of national drug control policy (ondcp) following the anti-abuse act of 1988, amidst mounting risk of drug dependence becoming more pervasive in american workplaces.
- Compares the ondcp's international and domestic strategy efforts with president reagan’s preference for aggressive use of law enforcement and military for eradication of south american poppy and coca crops.
- Explains that the ondcp follows the same bifurcated approach to its policy implementation as it did in the late 1980s. the international premise of drug demand reduction may have more to do with prevention and treatment experts working with their international partners.
- Explains that the ondcp has reached a decisive point on its strategic way ahead due to the restructuring and demotion of its authority within the executive office.
- Argues that the reduction of the ondcp authority lends itself to reformulating a vision for future engagement. the department of justice and the dhs should now take lead for policy and execution for drug supply reduction internationally and at home.
- Opines that the post 9/11 world offers opportunity for the ondcp to focus solely on demand reduction, but it will not benefit the american public if adequate measures for successful prevention and treatment are not definable by all associated stakeholders.
- Argues that rehabilitating adult american's and preventing youth from the scourge of drugs will result in a more productive and secure nation.
- Cites eddy, m., and carnevale's work on the 2011 national drug control strategy.
- States larence, e., office of national drug control policy: agencies view the budget process as useful for identifying priorities, but challenges exist.
- Cites the office of national drug control policy's report, "reduce the threat, incidence and prevalence of violent crime and drug trafficking: fy 2011 overview".
1578 wordsRead More