The Coca and the Cocaine War

opinion Essay

820 words

THE COCA AND THE COCAINE WAR The current “War on Drugs” involves skirmishes in an arena with two fronts: The consumer and the manufacturer. The successes and failures of the battle are not clearly identified without first looking at how the battle can be ultimately won. When it comes to cocaine, the problem of punishing the whole instead of the individual is hard to define. Many countries use the raw ingredient, the coca plant, as part of a social and cultural structure. The only way to win the “War on Drugs” is to focus war efforts on fighting the manufacturer of the finished cocaine product. The “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. The other front of the battle of the “War on Drugs” comes from locating and shutting down the manufacturers of cocaine. Cocaine is manufactured from the coca plant, the drug’s main ingredient. When the government imposes sanctions on different nations for growing the coca plant, careful considerations must be made. Just like any other market, there may be underlying circumstances for growing the plant that are perfectly innocent to the illegal cocaine market. The key influence of the coca market comes from the Andean countries of South America: Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. These countries are responsible for almost exclusively cultivating the coca plant, but Colombia is the main processing nation of the plant into cocaine, at nearly 70 percent (Stares, 2).

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.

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.

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Marijuana for Medical Use
analytical essay
Thompson, Stephen P., ed. The War on Drugs: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1998.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the positive aspects of marijuana legalization, including its application concerning medical cures.
- States that marijuana is classified as an illegal drug, but it should be made available for sick people to use.
- Argues that marijuana, like tobacco, could lead to lung cancer, or create respiratory distress. the united states drug enforcement agency doesn't want marijuana use to be legalized because there is no evidence to date that it is an effective drug when used for medicinal purposes.
- Analyzes the positive aspects of marijuana legalization, including its application concerning medical cures.
- States that marijuana is classified as an illegal drug, but it should be made available for sick people to use.
- Argues that marijuana, like tobacco, could lead to lung cancer, or create respiratory distress. the united states drug enforcement agency doesn't want marijuana use to be legalized because there is no evidence to date that it is an effective drug when used for medicinal purposes.
- Explains the benefits of smoking marijuana for medicinal purposes, such as aids, glaucoma, cancer, and oral medications.
- Explains that aids is the second most deadly disease that affects the world population. the treatment is expensive and there is no known cure.
- Explains that the legalization of marijuana has become a major issue and the number of supporters and opponents seems to be equally divided.
- Concludes that marijuana is a safe and effective medicine and that it should be legalized for medical purposes only.
- Explains morgan, john p., and zimmer, lynn. the science of medical marijuana. sarasota: book world services, inc.
1536 words
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Cocaine and American Culture
analytical essay
The plant from which cocaine is extracted has been cultivated in South America for thousands of years, and a large part of the population of Bolivia and Peru, smaller numbers in Colombia, and a few people in Argentina and Brazil now chew its leaf every day (Grinspoon and Bakalar 9). One student of the coca leaf has gone so far as to write of the Peruvian Indians, "Never in the life of a people has a drug had such importance." (Grinspoon and Bakalar 9). Many have noted if it wasn’t for the coca leaf, Peru would cease to exist.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how cocaine rose into american popular culture, starting with an appeal to the elite class and ending with the harrison act of 1914. marketers raved about the amazing effects of cocaine in their advertisements.
- Explains that cocaine has been cultivated in south america for thousands of years, and a large part of the population of bolivia and peru chews its leaf every day.
- Opines that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where coca first grew wild or was used as a drug.
- Analyzes how cocaine rose into american popular culture, starting with an appeal to the elite class and ending with the harrison act of 1914. marketers raved about the amazing effects of cocaine in their advertisements.
- Explains that cocaine has been cultivated in south america for thousands of years, and a large part of the population of bolivia and peru chews its leaf every day.
- Opines that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where coca first grew wild or was used as a drug.
- Explains that the coca leaf in natural form gives the similar effect that a well caffeinated cup of coffee would.
- Explains that in 1863, coca arrived on the united states’ shores as an ingredient in a french wine, vin mariani. popular figures like thomas edison and pope leo xiii endorsed the wine.
- Explains that cocaine depresses the central nervous system, but it had the opposite effect. the only general anesthesia available to physicians were chloroform and ether.
- Explains that sigmund freud, the most famous psychiatrist in history, and a cocaine enthusiast, believed that cocaine could treat nervous disease. he eventually recovered from his affliction.
- Analyzes how freud's testimonies played a significant role in the development of the north american cocaine industry.
- Explains that cocaine reached new heights of popularity during the 1890s. north america’s idolized baseball players partook in cocaine use, while playing professional games, much like chewing tobacco.
- Explains that entrepreneurs started adding cocaine to any product they could. common cold medicines, "pep" pills, hygiene products, wine, and tonics were among the cocaine riddled products introduced to stores.
- Explains that coca-cola is the most well-known cocaine containing product of the 1880s. pemberton's tonics was used to treat morphine addiction.
- Explains that cocaine was first used to increase workplace productivity among the african american male working class. the roustabouts adopted cocaine to cope with the enduring hardships of fast living and physical endeavor.
- Explains that african americans could endure physical labor and environmental extremities better than caucasians. cocaine supposedly increased these advantages of strength and endurance.
- Analyzes how cocaine had evolved into a manipulating power used by employers. the employers' promise of cocaine rations would increase the turnout of people seeking employment.
- Explains that waterfront employment was seasonal and spread the popularity of cocaine to other southern workplaces. cocaine directly contributed to north america's early structures.
- Explains that the idea of a drug that increased productivity quickly traveled to other parts of the united states. employers were quick to exploit the benefits of cocaine on their workers.
- Analyzes how the racial philosophy of 1890s whites sparked a cry for the state to regulate the sale of cocaine.
- Explains that the harrison act of 1914 would make cocaine illegal, stripping all products of the ingredient.
- Explains that there is little evidence to prove that cocaine use was more frequent with african americans than caucasian americans. the laws set forth were due to the overgrowing popularity of cocaine with blacks.
- Opines that cocaine had fallen dormant from the sight of popular culture. it would be many decades before cocaine reached a national status and public awareness, as it did during this time.
- Cites steven r. belenko's drugs and drug policy in america.
1861 words
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Prohibition is Destroying America
analytical essay
The war on drugs began with good intentions, but it is becoming clear that this battle is a failure. Not only do drug laws violate American’s freedoms, but they further complicate the lives of drug users. These laws have inadvertently been responsible for the deaths of thousands through bad drug deals and dirty drugs, which leads one to ask the question, “Is this a war on drugs or a war on drug users?” Body bags and HIV are becoming the most widely known side effects of drug prohibition. Contrary to what many may think, drug use will never be eliminated. Only through legalization and strict state-controlled regulations will the violent and deadly consequences of drug laws be controlled. By making these substances available, the drugs themselves will be safer and cheaper, government spending and prison population will decrease, and most importantly, Americans will be freer.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the war on drugs began with good intentions, but it is becoming clear that this battle is a failure.
- Explains how the federal government stripped americans of their right to drink alcohol under the volstead act of 1920. alcohol was no longer manufactured by trusted companies like anheuser-busch and was now in the hands of black market racketeers like al capone.
- Explains that dirty needles were responsible for 40 percent of newly diagnosed hiv/aids cases in america in 1992. drug education classes across america warn children not to use them due to deadly health concerns.
- Opines that the war on drugs began with good intentions, but it is becoming clear that this battle is a failure.
- Explains how the federal government stripped americans of their right to drink alcohol under the volstead act of 1920. alcohol was no longer manufactured by trusted companies like anheuser-busch and was now in the hands of black market racketeers like al capone.
- Explains that dirty needles were responsible for 40 percent of newly diagnosed hiv/aids cases in america in 1992. drug education classes across america warn children not to use them due to deadly health concerns.
- Explains that the law of supply and demand can explain why the prices of drugs continue to increase. inflation makes international crime lords and corner hustlers even richer, while disadvantaged drug users get poorer and desperate.
- Explains that tobacco accounts for 435,000 premature deaths of americans every year and causes 30 percent of all cancer related deaths in america. cigarettes are more addictive than any other drug, legal or illegal.
- Explains that alcohol causes the biggest increase in criminal behavior and death in america. alcoholics not only put society in danger, but they compromise their own health as well.
- Argues that drug laws are unique in that they punish the people they intend to protect, and they do so frequently.
- Argues that legalization and regulation of illicit substances could save the american government up to 80 billion a year, instead of spending tax dollars to confine non-violent offenders.
- Opines that pharmacies should distribute drugs from behind the counter, out of plain sight to customers age 21 and over, with warning labels and written information of the dangers of drug use.
- Argues that controlled taxable distribution and product quality control could free american citizens from prison and free the drug addicts from death and hopefully from their addiction.
- Explains that aclu against drug prohibition. san diego: greenhaven press, inc. 2000.
- Explains gerdes, louise i., ed. at issue: legalizing drugs. san diego: greenhaven press, inc.
1547 words
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Mexico's Drug War
explanatory essay
A 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.
- 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 words
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America’s War on Drugs vs. Legalization
analytical essay
The 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.
- 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 words
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The War on Drugs: Plan Columbia
analytical essay
Plan Columbia, is an attempt to combat the ongoing civil war, more specifically, cracking down on the growth and distribution of cocaine in Columbia before it reaches the United States. “The economy of cocaine, by far, is the biggest and most entrenched of these inter-American drug economies, worth almost forty billion dollars annually in prohibition-inflated U.S. ‘street sales’. The ongoing American ‘drug war’ was launched amid the passions of the cocaine and crack cocaine boom of the 1980s and cocaine remains the driving foreign nemesis” . Plan Columbia, however, has been met with widespread criticism. One of the main criticisms of Plan Columbia is that it simply doesn’t work. “The US Defense Department funded a two year study which found that the use of the armed forces to interdict drugs coming into the United States wo...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war on drugs is an example of united states intervention through a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid.
- Explains that plan columbia is an attempt to combat the ongoing civil war by cracking down on the growth and distribution of cocaine in columbia before it reaches the us.
- Analyzes how coca cultivation has been virtually unaffected, making plan columbia a complete failure.
- Explains that the war on drugs is an example of united states intervention through a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid.
- Explains that plan columbia is an attempt to combat the ongoing civil war by cracking down on the growth and distribution of cocaine in columbia before it reaches the us.
- Analyzes how coca cultivation has been virtually unaffected, making plan columbia a complete failure.
- Argues that the majority of funds appropriated for plan colombia go towards funding for military or paramilitary operations.
- Explains that plan columbia's use of aerial fumigation to eradicate coca crops is detrimental to the columbian people and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
- Analyzes how plan columbia has been an ineffective use of american tax dollars due to the failure to limit the production of cocaine and intervention in columbian affairs.
- Cites chomsky, noam, gootenberg, paul, wallace-wells, ben, and rolling stone.
1376 words
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Crack Cocaine Research Paper
analytical essay
Cocaine itself is derived from the coca plant commonly found in South America. For centuries, the native people of South America have used the coca plant, its leaves in particular, as a stimulant for long work hours as well as for medical purposes. It was not until 1859 that modern cocaine was developed as a drug in Germany (Crack Cocaine History, n.d.). By the late 1800’s, the medical knowledge of cocaine had spread world-wide and many American doctors began to prescribe the use of cocaine as a medical drug to cure different illnesses and ease common pain. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s, however, that the negative side effects of cocaine became apparent; these side effects included addiction and death. With such detrimental side effects, cocaine was declared a threat to the nation and in 1914, cocaine became what’s known as a controlled substance that could only be obtained by a prescription from a doctor for medical reasons only (much like today’s ‘medical marijuana’). However, by controlling access and usage of cocaine, America inadvertently gave way to an entirely new drug cartel that they weren’t prepared to deal with. In the beginning of cocaine being a controlled substance, it became less popular and one of the lesser drugs to be abused in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1960’s and 70’s that the use of cocaine became popular again. This widespread ‘cocaine boom’ affected all
In this essay, the author
- Explains that crack is the most addictive form of cocaine due to a higher potency level than the typical batch of street cocaine.
- Explains that crack cocaine is the most potent form of the drug cocaine, derived from the coca plant commonly found in south america.
- Analyzes how the rise in cocaine usage led to a major drug epidemic in the united states.
- Explains that crack is the most addictive form of cocaine due to a higher potency level than the typical batch of street cocaine.
- Explains that crack cocaine is the most potent form of the drug cocaine, derived from the coca plant commonly found in south america.
- Analyzes how the rise in cocaine usage led to a major drug epidemic in the united states.
- Explains that crack cocaine is a strong central nervous stimulant that interferes with, and causes excess amounts of dopamine in the brain.
- Explains that crack cocaine produces a psychoactive effect by interacting with the central nervous system, stimulating it to perform its ordinary functions more intensely.
- Explains how cocaine hydrochloride powder is extracted from the coca plant, and how it is synthesized into a smokeable form known as freebase.
1695 words
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Economic Ramifications of the War on Drugs
analytical essay
For thousands of years, many drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and morphine were manufactured, marketed and consumed legally. It was not until the early 20th century that the notion that the United States could enforce a worldwide prohibition of drugs developed. For four decades, the drug war has become accountable for squandering hundreds of billions of tax dollars (some experts’ figures put estimates in the trillions), mismanaging government spending, and the overwhelming costs to human beings that overshadow the damage created by drugs alone. The United States’ unparalleled incarceration rate is a relentless financial drain, resulting in a massive loss in workforce output and strains scarce legal and law enforcement resources. Treatment consistently proves to be a more effective, cheaper and more humane way to lower the demand for illegal drugs, but the federal government spends billions attempting to reduce the demand for illegal drugs through prohibition. The war on drugs has also driven the drug trade underground, creating a violent illicit market that caters to organized crime, gangs and drug cartels. It is these criminal enterprises have the most to gain financially from prohibition, and the profits can easily be funneled into gun smuggling, corruption, and additional bloodshed. The Mexican cartels’ brutal agenda is an example of how the war on drugs has made it impossible to continue policing not just our nation but the world with a failing prohibition strategy.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the war on drugs has squandered billions of tax dollars, mismanaged government spending, and the overwhelming costs to human beings that overshadow the damage created by drugs alone.
- Analyzes how the government's blind one-sided focus on supply reduction is an unsuccessful attempt to regulate structured crime and drug trade-related malevolence.
- Argues that drug prohibition has not deterred drug use as one would expect, and as the global drug trade continues to thrive, developing countries deal with the consequences.
- Analyzes how the war on drugs has squandered billions of tax dollars, mismanaged government spending, and the overwhelming costs to human beings that overshadow the damage created by drugs alone.
- Analyzes how the government's blind one-sided focus on supply reduction is an unsuccessful attempt to regulate structured crime and drug trade-related malevolence.
- Argues that drug prohibition has not deterred drug use as one would expect, and as the global drug trade continues to thrive, developing countries deal with the consequences.
- Explains that drug prohibition promotes savagery in the united states and the world. prohibition has driven the drug trade underground and resolving disputes through violence.
- Explains the economic case for the us to legalize all drugs, and the economics behind the u.s. government's unwinnable war on drugs.
882 words
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Coco Essay
analytical essay
The commodity chain for coca/cocaine is vast and complicated. Coca frontiers for illicit export spread massively into the deep jungle of the Huallaga Valley and Bolivia’s Chapare. This is where most coca plants are grown and harvested, and occasionally transformed into coca paste. In the past, most of the raw coca leaves or coca paste was transported to Colombia where well-located entrepreneurs, under a weak state, consolidated as the core middlemen in this trade. Colombians refined coca and marked up the prices of the Bolivian peasant product. In the 1980s, Mexico became a transit point for cocaine heading to the United States and other Western nations for sale by Mexican or Colombian suppliers (Gereffi and Korzeniewicz 1994: 195). However, due to the illicit and clandestine na...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the bolivian chapare tropical rainforest area supplies 70% of the nation's coca leaf crop. the peasantry began endeavors to cultivate the plant for cocaine production because of its incomparable profits and wages.
- Explains that the bolivian government has been able to combat tensions caused by coca/cocaine production, utilizing unconventional methods.
- Opines that bolivia is a poor, debt-ridden country, caught in the grip of an expanding drug economy and an illusion of economic development.
- Explains that the bolivian chapare tropical rainforest area supplies 70% of the nation's coca leaf crop. the peasantry began endeavors to cultivate the plant for cocaine production because of its incomparable profits and wages.
- Explains that the bolivian government has been able to combat tensions caused by coca/cocaine production, utilizing unconventional methods.
- Opines that bolivia is a poor, debt-ridden country, caught in the grip of an expanding drug economy and an illusion of economic development.
- Explains that coca, a mild stimulant, has been cultivated in peru, bolivia, and colombia for thousands of years. it is an economy of its own, but the lines of legal and illegal cross and blur.
- Analyzes how the illicit market and the licit market in bolivia are intertwined and explain the dynamics of coca/cocaine production.
1090 words
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Alternative Drug Policy
analytical essay
The prohibitionist national policy towards drugs in U.S has been extremely contentious in the present times. After decades of the stance that costs billions how many each year, the paltry achievements and the countless negative externalities have led to a clamor for alternative policies instead of a “War on Drugs”.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the policy of de-penalizing softer drugs should be placed in conjunction with other reforms to liberalize the entire drug scenario.
- Argues that the prohibitionist national policy towards drugs has been contentious in the present times. the proposition focuses on de-penalization of softer drugs and narcotics is treated as a health issue.
- Argues that federal spending over drug control in the us is $15 billion annually of which 50% is over criminal justice expenditure.
- Opines that the policy of de-penalizing softer drugs should be placed in conjunction with other reforms to liberalize the entire drug scenario.
- Argues that the prohibitionist national policy towards drugs has been contentious in the present times. the proposition focuses on de-penalization of softer drugs and narcotics is treated as a health issue.
- Argues that federal spending over drug control in the us is $15 billion annually of which 50% is over criminal justice expenditure.
- Explains that drug prices remain high due to the risk involved for the sellers in procuring it. legal regulation of marijuana impedes gang wars and youth acquisitive crime.
- Argues that prohibition is the federal policy in u.s., but states have a de-criminalization policy for cannabis.
- Opines that the u.s. can help set an example for other nations through its policy emphasis on drug usage as a health issue.
- Opines that the united states needs to bolster its federal legislative structure to accommodate liberalistic polices towards specific drug offenders.
- Opines that even after soft drug de-penalization, focus must also be on the hard-drug violent offenders to be rehabilitated and rehabilitation can only be possible during their imprisonment and under the state bind.
- Recommends that there be compulsory health units tagged along the government marijuana counters to provide free health check-ups on the soft drugs consumption.
- Argues that the u.s. federal drug policy wrapped in a headstrong stance of retrograde features needs to provide for liberalization in context of the mammoth economics gains, crime rate reduction, and various social factors.
1641 words
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The Capture of El Chapo
analytical essay
The U.S. accounts for 41% of the world’s global cocaine consumption at an estimated $38 billion annually5. This economic incentive is what fuels the illegal imp...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how joaquin "el chapo" guzman's capture has re-ignited fascination with the larger-than-life persona of a "drug lord".
- Describes how the mexican navy and marines moved into el chapo's hotel in mazatlan, sinaloa, where he had been living for several days. using ir and thermal surveillance, the pattern was confirmed and agents entered the building.
- Explains that cocaine has been a part of american culture since the mid 1800's. it was used in tinctures, solvents, and drinks.
- Analyzes how joaquin "el chapo" guzman's capture has re-ignited fascination with the larger-than-life persona of a "drug lord".
- Describes how the mexican navy and marines moved into el chapo's hotel in mazatlan, sinaloa, where he had been living for several days. using ir and thermal surveillance, the pattern was confirmed and agents entered the building.
- Explains that cocaine has been a part of american culture since the mid 1800's. it was used in tinctures, solvents, and drinks.
- Explains that guzman was considered an extremely powerful man due to his influence and money. he spent 13 years on the run from the police and military.
- Opines that joint efforts are key to success in many endeavors and information sharing is crucial between nations. the events of 9/11 brought to light many flaws in the inter-agency flow of information.
1279 words
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The War on Drugs
analytical essay
The 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.
- 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 words
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