The War On Drugs
War On Drugs In today’s society, the war on drugs has become a major issue in
our cities and the business community. Many cities have started programs to make
the situation better, but some have failed and the situation has become worse.
The root of all the problems discussed in this case study, can be linked to
drugs. There are many organizations and volunteer community groups as well as
law enforcement, that are continuously trying to make our cities safe. This
struggle is know globally as the “War on Drugs”. Drugs and Children The war on
drugs is a very big part of our society. We face difficult decisions everyday
dealing with drugs and how they affect our cities. Our children play a big role
in that society, and they are a major factor on the war against drugs. We try to
keep children away from the drug situation, but you cannot isolate them forever.
Children will have to face the issue as they get older, or even while they are
young. We must teach our children about the issues on drugs and make sure they
are aware of the dealings that go on. Most children cannot speak to their
parents about drugs, and those are the children who are usually doing drugs. If
children cannot be open with their parents, they will find some other means of
dealing with drug issues. History Nearly thirty years ago, the Nixon
administration was the first administration to declare the “war” on drugs.
President Nixon is credited with setting up the first methadone centers and
abstinence programs cross the country. At the time these programs received
two-thirds of the federal drug budget and the results were: crime rates fell and
fewer people died of overdose. The “Just Say No” movement (led by first lady
Nancy Reagan) was coupled with rigorous law enforcement and produced solid
results. By 1992, for example, marijuana use by high school students had dropped
significantly (http://ehostvgw15.epnet.com). The Controlled Substances Act
(CSA), Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of
1970, is the legal foundation of the government's fight against the abuse of
drugs and other substances.
This law is a consolidation of numerous laws
regulating the manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants,
depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the illicit
production of controlled substances. (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/briefingbook/page9.htm)
Drug Enforcement Agency The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United
States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States,
or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members
of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of
controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United
States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing
the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and
international markets. (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/briefingbook/page2.htm). The
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was formed as a specialized branch of the
justice department in 1973. This specialized bureau is on the front lines of the
“War on Drugs” every day. The DEA is not only concerned with assisting local law
enforcement, but a global policing as well. Drugs in the Workplace Many chambers
of commerce throughout the nation have put Drug-Free Workplace programs into
effect. The drug-free workplace program addresses not only issues in the
business community, but the society as well. Statistics show that 70 percent of
illegal drug users are employed, and 44 percent of drug users sell drugs to
co-workers (http://ehostvgw6.epnet.com). The U.S. Department of Labor estimates
that drug use in the workplace costs employers $75 billion to $100 billion
annually in lost time. Sixty-five percent of all accidents on the job are
directly related to drugs. Substance abusers are absent three times more often
and use 16 times as many health care benefits as non-abusers
(http://ehastvgw6.epnet.com). Many companies are aware of the drug problems
within the office and are taking action to fix the situation. There are
companies that have drug-screening test to employees to make sure that they are
not using drug substances. The company must have a suspicion of that employee of
using the drugs before giving the drug test. In the American Management
Association survey, 92 percent of testing companies use urine samples, 15
percent use blood samples, and 2 percent use hair samples
(http://ehastvgw6.epnet.com). Many employers will try to help their employees
who are having a problem with drug addiction. Some will try to get the family
involved and may use a rehabilitation group. Some will terminate the employee.
There is no easy way to solve the problem of drugs in the workplace, but taking
action requires determination, willingness, time, and being able to support the
person with the funds needed.
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