Drug Problem in the U.S.

Abstract or Introduction

Over decades, the United States has experienced devastating consequences from illicit drug use. Foremost, the drug menace has led to an immense burden to the public healthcare system through expenditure on the treatment of substance use disorders. Today, abuse of prescription drugs, primarily opioids is causing the highest number of deaths in the U.S. history. On the other hand, illicit drug use has been causing economic losses over the years, leading to increases in government expenditure on drugs every year. For instance, the country was estimated to have lost $193 billion in 2007 only due to illicit drug use, especially in lost productivity, health and crime. These consequences are the key reason why the US has not relented on the war against drugs. Over the past decades, the federal government has been carrying out reforms in the justice system with attempts to break the cycle crime and drug use (Kerlikowske, 2012). The main focus has been reducing drug trafficking, drug production and drug related transnational threats. Despite the concerted efforts by different Administrations since the declaration of ‘War on Drugs’ by President Nixon in 1971, it is apparent that the U.S. has not yet been able to end drug menace. In the past four decades, deaths from drug abuse have been increasing, annually, and this phenomenon is evidenced by statistics for the past decade. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Agency [FDA] (2013), prescription drugs abuse deaths increased from 66.7% in 2000 to 77.5% by 2010. In reference to these statistics, it is explicit that the United States’ Government’s response has not been adequate to combat drugs.