NCJ Number
153749
Editor(s)
K L Swisher
Date Published
1991
Length
192 pages
Annotation
These 33 papers present diverse opinions on drug trafficking's effects on society and possible remedies and solutions.
Abstract
Papers focusing on the war on drugs variously argue that this war is winnable if both international and domestic efforts are involved, that the focus on law enforcement and border interdiction have failed, that current laws protect the rights of drug dealers but not victims of drugs and drug-related crime, and that society's values and drug policy directly encourage widespread drug abuse. Papers on drug legalization argue that most problems associated with drug abuse are caused directly or indirectly by drug prohibition; that legalizing drugs can reduce drug abuse, crime, violence, and government corruption; that legalizing drugs would increase drug addiction and underground trafficking in substitutes for legalized drugs; and that the consequences of legalizing drugs cannot be predicted. Further papers argue for and against the proposition that the United States efforts against international drug trafficking have been effective and focus on drug trafficking on organized crime, youth, the economy, minority communities, inner cities, and foreign policy. Index, list of organizations to contact, and 65 references