Drug War - Failed Policy Or Lesser Of Evils

DRUG WAR: FAILED POLICY OR LESSER OF EVILS

April 23, 2012

ABSTRACT

The United States has been locked in an epic drug war for well over a century. In addition to providing an overview of drug use throughout civilization, this paper outlines the historic legislation implemented by the United States government in its attempt to curb the use of mind altering or psychotropic drug use. Speculation toward the federal government's ulterior motives in criminalizing substances is also touched upon, as are other various perceptions on this topic from scholars, doctors, and professors in an attempt to offer a well-rounded view of the war on drugs in the United States. This paper concludes with an illustration of the current state of the drug war in the United States, the autonomous action individual states are taking, and some of the latest polls depicting the public's stance on the subject.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction - Brief History of Drug Use and Drug Policy in America - pg. 4

a. Through the Ages - pg. 5

II. Nineteenth-Century America - A "Dope-Fiend's Paradise" - pg. 8

a. Alcohol Use - pg. 8

b. Opium Use - pg. 10

c. Marijuana Use - pg. 11

III. Twentieth-Century America - Age of Political Persecution - pg. 11

a. Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 - pg. 12

b. The Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914 - pg. 12

c. Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act - pg. 13

d. Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 - pg. 13

e. Controlled Substance Act of 1970 - pg. 14

f. Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 - pg. 14

IV. Conclusion - Permission vs. Politics - pg. 14

Introduction - Brief History of Drug Use and Drug Policy in America

Drugs are often seen as nothing more than an addictive past time for delinquent youth and other undesirables in modern society stemming from, or leading to, other criminal activity. This very basic, if not derisive perception had been the battle cry of politicians in the United States for over a century now in order to pass the legislation that has since vilified nearly anyone finding themselves addicted to substances, whether it be alcohol, over-the-counter cough syrup, or Schedule I Controlled Substances, defined by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as (2012), substances having a high potential for abuse, having no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, having no accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. Historically maintained by the government of the United States as having no usefulness, some drugs classified under Schedule I include heroin, LSD, marijuana, peyote, and MDMA. More than just the psychotropic drugs, the United States historically waged war through the implementation of policies, taxes, or laws on a number of other substances such as alcohol and tobacco. As we begin a new millennium though, is it safe to say that the voice of public opinion is changing its tune on their perception of drug use? Are the drug policies that have been in place in the United States for the last century finally showing signs of waver? After all, given the history of mankind, the era of prohibition has been a blink of an eye in comparison, and so far has been quite unsuccessful. Additionally, the amount of time, money, and lives spent on an unwinnable drug war has been extensive, to say the least.

Through the Ages

The use of alcohol can be traced back to civilizations over 10,000 years old. An article from the Smithsonian Magazine by Abigail Tucker (2011) highlights how beer and other libations may have played a much larger role than ever believed previously in Ancient Egyptian civilizations. Other, more naturally occurring and unadulterated substances were also discovered many thousands of years ago. Coca was first discovered for its medicinal-like use thousands of years ago which is the bases for cocaine and other related drugs. Along those same lines, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the metabolites found in marijuana plants, have been found, according to NORML.org (2012), to relive nausea, symptoms of pain, and early signs of Parkinson's disease when smoked or inhaled, among other practical uses. A claim that has been supported by highly respected and award winning medical professionals as well as their patients. Just like the beer of Ancient Egypt, "the use of marijuana has been found to be as widely used as tobacco in most early civilizations in the western hemisphere" (St. Pierre, 2012). Other purported use of Cannabis - another term for marijuana - is said to have been used in 3000 BC China. Aside from the medicinal characteristics, Cannabis has also been used in various religious ceremonies since at least the 5th century BC.

Anthropological evidence and personal accounts indicate that humans have been using psychoactive substances for many millennia. This is a partial list of just a few of the most ancient users of psychoactive substances (Sullivan and Hagen, 2002).

* 13000 BC - The betel nut was chewed in Timor.

* 10700 BC - The betel nut was chewed in Thailand.

* Before European contact - The Aborigines used pituri and Nicotiana (both nicotine).

* Before European contact - Native Americans used tobacco.

* Before European contact - Ethiopians used khat.

* 7000 BC - Coca was being used in the Andes.

* 5000 BC - Coca was being used in Ecuador

The extensive nature of psychoactive substances used by humans is quite interesting. In cultures where the above drugs were or are used, the substances were not likely viewed as drugs, but as food or natural remedies, which is easy to believe seeing as they did not come in any form other than their natural plant form (Sullivan and Hagen, 2002). From this we see that various drug uses appear to have