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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The U.S. Drug Problem
3. Federal Government's Response
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the persistent drug crisis in the United States, evaluating the federal government's strategies to combat illicit drug use and the subsequent socio-economic impact of these policies.
- Epidemiological assessment of the U.S. drug problem
- Economic and social consequences of substance abuse
- Evaluation of federal drug control strategies
- Role of drug courts and law enforcement interventions
- Addressing the prescription opioid crisis
Excerpt from the Book
Federal Government's Response
Federal government has been fighting the drug menace relentlessly over the past three decades. However, significant responses began in 1999 after the development of the National Drug Control Strategy. This agency has been responsible for developing response strategies for reducing drug abuse in the U.S. It also carries out budget estimates for all drug control programs. Ideally, the federal government’s response focuses on five main goals. Foremost, it targets at reducing the rate of illicit drugs’ flow into the country through drug smuggling. The second focus of the federal government’s response is to disrupt organized drug trafficking networks at the national, as well as the international scope.
Third, the government aims at addressing drug related transnational threats that compromise national security, including terrorism and human trafficking. Similarly, the fourth federal government’s response aims at addressing economic losses incurred through drug trafficking. The government has been trying to curb money laundering and other illegal financial activities perpetuated by narco-terrorists and drug traffickers. Finally, the federal government has been focusing on addressing the drug problem at the international scope, primarily through strengthening law enforcement institutions and governance in foreign countries where illegal drugs have become a national crisis (Wyler, 2008).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the long-standing drug crisis in the U.S., highlighting the increasing healthcare burden and the limitations of previous governmental responses.
The U.S. Drug Problem: Details the epidemiological scale of substance abuse, focusing on the high impact on youth, the healthcare system, and the rising economic costs associated with incarceration and lost productivity.
Federal Government's Response: Analyzes the five main strategic goals of the federal government, including border security, international partnerships, the use of drug courts, and law enforcement operations.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the argument that despite decades of intensive efforts and increased spending, the federal government’s response has not been sufficient to mitigate the drug crisis.
Keywords
United States, Drug abuse, Opioids, Illicit drugs, Federal government, Public health, Substance use disorders, Law enforcement, Drug trafficking, Border security, Prescription drugs, Naloxone, Drug courts, Drug control policy, Addiction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this document?
The paper focuses on the history and efficacy of United States government interventions regarding the illicit drug crisis over the last three decades.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the epidemiological impact of drug abuse, economic costs, federal policy strategies, law enforcement efforts, and the management of the prescription opioid epidemic.
What is the main research question of the work?
The paper explores whether the federal government's responses to the drug menace have been adequate and effective in solving the crisis, given the rising death tolls and economic burdens.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author uses a literature-based analytical approach, synthesizing government reports, statistical data from the FDA, and existing academic policy studies.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the scale of the drug problem, the five-pillar strategy of the federal government, the implementation of drug courts, and specific approaches to curbing the prescription drug crisis.
Which keywords characterize the study?
Key terms include drug abuse, public health, substance use, federal intervention, drug trafficking, and opioid crisis.
How have drug courts influenced the situation?
Drug courts have helped reduce criminal activity and recidivism among participants by realigning the public health system with the criminal justice framework.
What impact has the strategy of securing the Southwest border had?
Securing the border has led to a significant increase in drug and weapon seizures since 2008, despite the massive logistical challenges of monitoring trafficking routes.
How is the prescription opioid crisis being addressed?
The government is focusing on the reformulation of drugs into abuse-deterrent versions and the broader distribution of agents like Naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.
What is the author's final verdict on the government's response?
The author concludes that the government's response has been largely inadequate, noting that drug-related deaths and economic costs have continued to climb despite decades of policy reforms.
- Citation du texte
- Patrick Kimuyu (Auteur), 2018, Drug Problem in the U.S., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/388762
