War on Drugs
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The election issue of drugs and politics has caused controversial arguments. The two current opposing solutions are to either criminalize drug offenders or to legalize the use of drugs. Both solutions have resulted in failure in the larger scope. As a result, society should focus on a more psychological political approach.
A current election issue now is drugs and politics in the United States. Arguments have arose from both sides of the spectrum; one side arguing that legalizing drugs is a medicalization while the con arguing that it is a decriminalization. Call it the war against the war on drugs, but neither side has effectively outlined a solution to drug offenders serving jail time for possession and personal use of illegal drugs.
Locking drug offenders in a jail cells does not solve the problem. The solution to help these inmates is to provide support and security. Locking them up does the contrary; it makes them tense, vengeful against “the system” and not competitive in their future endeavors in the workforce. Moreover, drug addicts can get access to drugs where ever their location, prison being one of them. Although the prisons are away from the general public, inmates still have access to almost anything they had in the “real world,” including drugs. Therefore, this sort of punishment and discipline is ineffective and damaging.
Secondly, legalizing drugs broadcasts a twisted message. How can society legalize drugs and still try to convince drug offenders that drug use is destructive. Additionally, people can abuse the legalization of drugs and hide behind the law. Legalizing drugs will just prevent drug users from being jailed, but it will not help the core problem of addiction itself. Just like criminalizing illegal drug users, legalizing drug users is ineffective and damaging as well.
The reality is that drug offenders get little or any treatment. Although jailing drug offenders temporary rids them from the general public the issue still persists. The problem continues because people are still addicted and dependent on annihilative substances. Instead of having the concept of punishing drug offenders, society should focus on healing them through the law. People caught with possession and personal use of illegal drugs should be “sentenced” to an accredited drug treatment center. This treatment should include counseling sessions angled around each individual and a halfway house where people can get the sense of safety and security. Although it is a simple solution, it can evolve to great heights with support from society; with the hope and belief that it will work.
Politics in society should not only work to benefit the successful or the well- accomplished but those in dire need as well. By uplifting every individual, we can all live in a healthy and effective society. Call it an optimistic approach, but what is life without the hope of a better future? It is through optimism that we can win this war on drugs the peaceful way. That is our solution.
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Debaters debate the two wars as if Nixon’s civil war on Woodstock Nation didn’t yet run amok. One needn’t travel to China to find indigenous cultures lacking human rights or to Cuba for political prisoners. America leads the world in percentile behind bars, thanks to ongoing persecution of hippies, radicals, and non-whites under banner of the war on drugs. If we’re all about spreading liberty abroad, then why mix the message at home? Peace on the home front would enhance credibility.
The drug czar’s Rx for prison fodder costs dearly, as lives are flushed down expensive tubes. My shaman’s second opinion is that psychoactive plants are God’s gift. In God’s eyes, it’s all good (Gen.1:12). The administration claims it wants to reduce demand for cartel product, but extraditing Canadian seed vendor Marc Emery increases demand. Mr. Emery enables American farmers to steal cartel customers with superior domestic product.
The constitutionality of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act of 1970) derives from an interstate commerce clause. This clause is invoked to finance organized crime, endanger homeland security, and throw good money after bad. Official policy is to eradicate, not tax, the number-one cash crop in the land. America rejected prohibition, but it’s back. Apparently, SWAT teams don’t need no stinking amendment.
Nixon promised the Schafer Commission would support the criminalization of his enemies, but it didn’t. No matter, the witch-hunt was on. No amendments can assure due process under an anti-science law without due process itself. Psychology hailed the breakthrough potential of LSD, until the CSA halted all research. Marijuana has no medical use, period.
The RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) allows Native American Church members to eat peyote, which functions like LSD. Americans shouldn’t need a specific church membership to obtain their birthright freedom of religion. Denial of entheogen sacrament to any American, for mediation of communion with his or her maker, precludes the free exercise of religious liberty.
Freedom of speech presupposes freedom of thought. The Constitution doesn’t enumerate any governmental power to embargo diverse states of mind. How and when did government usurp this power to coerce conformity? The Mayflower sailed to escape coerced conformity. Legislators who would limit cognitive liberty lack jurisdiction.
Common-law must hold that adults own their bodies. The Founding Fathers decreed the right to the pursuit of happiness is inalienable. Socrates said to know your self. Lawmakers should not presume to thwart the intelligent design that molecular keys unlock spiritual doors. Persons who appreciate their own free choice of path in life should tolerate seekers’ self-exploration.
Simple majorities in each house could put repeal of the CSA on the president’s desk. The books have ample law on them without the CSA. The usual caveats remain in effect. You are liable for damages when you screw up. Strong medicine requires prescription. Employees can be fired for poor job performance. No harm, no foul; and no excuse, either. Replace the war on drugs with a frugal, constitutional, science-based drugs policy.