English Comp Rough Draft
Anthony Grimes
Ashford University
ENG122-English Composition II
Instructor Mitchell
November 26, 2012
Substance abuse and consumption have become an epidemic in America. The use of drugs results in countless drug-related deaths and causes states to spend billions of dollars to combat drug trafficking. Drugs are shipped in by sea, air, automobile, and even smuggled in by person. These drugs are supplied by drug cartels. These criminal organizations where formed to promote, control, produce, and distribute narcotic drugs. While these cartels operate from all parts of the world, some of the most infamous are the Mexican and Columbian Cartels. America has put policies into combating drug trafficking, however these policies are not effective as drug abuse is at a society crippling high. During the early 20th century, the drug market was not unregulated properly. Medical remedies that contained cocaine and heroin were distributed without prescription. Many consumers were unaware of these drugs and there effects. As a result policies that became known as the “War on Drug” where established. According to the War on Drugs History and Timeline Head (2012) stated, in 1914 the sale of cocaine and heroin were restricted in the Harrison Act of 1914. Head (2012) noted, in 1938 the government attempted to tax marihuana because it was seen as a gateway drug and because of its growing popularity in Mexican-American immigrants. This was known as the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Head (2012) says, in 1951 the Boggs Act was established to mandate federal sentences for possession of cocaine, opiates, and marijuana. Head (2012) noted, these federal penalties were increased in 1956 through the Narcotic Control Act of 1956. According to Fields (2009), in 1971 President Nixon and his administration implemented “The War on Drug” policy, which was the most relevant of all the narcotic policies. This is a commonly used term adapted by the media, which was aimed to define and reduce
Ashford University
ENG122-English Composition II
Instructor Mitchell
November 26, 2012
Substance abuse and consumption have become an epidemic in America. The use of drugs results in countless drug-related deaths and causes states to spend billions of dollars to combat drug trafficking. Drugs are shipped in by sea, air, automobile, and even smuggled in by person. These drugs are supplied by drug cartels. These criminal organizations where formed to promote, control, produce, and distribute narcotic drugs. While these cartels operate from all parts of the world, some of the most infamous are the Mexican and Columbian Cartels. America has put policies into combating drug trafficking, however these policies are not effective as drug abuse is at a society crippling high. During the early 20th century, the drug market was not unregulated properly. Medical remedies that contained cocaine and heroin were distributed without prescription. Many consumers were unaware of these drugs and there effects. As a result policies that became known as the “War on Drug” where established. According to the War on Drugs History and Timeline Head (2012) stated, in 1914 the sale of cocaine and heroin were restricted in the Harrison Act of 1914. Head (2012) noted, in 1938 the government attempted to tax marihuana because it was seen as a gateway drug and because of its growing popularity in Mexican-American immigrants. This was known as the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Head (2012) says, in 1951 the Boggs Act was established to mandate federal sentences for possession of cocaine, opiates, and marijuana. Head (2012) noted, these federal penalties were increased in 1956 through the Narcotic Control Act of 1956. According to Fields (2009), in 1971 President Nixon and his administration implemented “The War on Drug” policy, which was the most relevant of all the narcotic policies. This is a commonly used term adapted by the media, which was aimed to define and reduce
References: N/A (July 2011) Commentary on Global Commission Report Retrieved from http://www.ibhinc.org Abramsky, S., (July 6, 2009) The War against the ‘ War on Drugs’. The National pages 18-22 Fields, G. , (May 2009) White House Czar Call for End to War on Drugs. The Wall Street Journal,17. Retrieved from http://www.fds.org Kristof, N., (2009) Drugs Won the War. New York Times,13. Retrieved from http://www.closethegapri.org Lemaitre, R., (2011) Alternative to the “War on Drugs”; Obama Drug Policy and Reforming the Criminal Justice System. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov