While the intent of the “War on Drugs” is to decrease the problems that drug addiction causes millions of people, the true impact of the war is that drugs are becoming stronger. As the price goes down and the potency goes up, we are actually seeing more overdose deaths, quicker progression to addiction, and an overall higher number of drug addicts.
Why Hasn’t the War on Drugs Worked?
Dr. Evan Wood, from the University of British Columbia, believes that, “Organized crime has really overwhelmed law enforcement’s best intentions to reduce the availability of drugs. It really calls for a total rethink on how society deals with drug use and drug addiction.”
The approach the United States government has taken in addressing the ever-growing drug problem has been similar to how medical and mental health care is treated. When a problem or an ailment is presented, the proper actions are taken to mend the wound, so to speak, and allow it to heal. Instead, a proactive and preventive approach would actually better address the true problem: drugs are on the streets and people say yes to using them. Does waging a war against inanimate objects really correct the problem?
Information Can Help
Educating people, from a young age, on what drugs are, what they will do to your body and your brain, and what that impact will have on your life, your health, your ability to be happy, and to sustain relationships and responsibilities could be what stops people from turning to substances for an escape, to numb out, or to feel good for a short amount of time.
With our current state of drug abuse, intervention is paramount. Understanding the early warning signs of addiction can prevent someone, who has been experimenting with drugs, from progressing to addiction.
The Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare, is set to change the way substance abuse disorders are treated. Ideally, more people who have been unable to seek services will now be able to access programs in an effort to stay clean.
What Has Actually Been Happening?
The War on Drugs has reportedly increased the number of marijuana seizures in the U.S. by 465% between 1990 and 2009. The number of seizures, meaning a major amount of marijuana that was making its way into the U.S. was confiscated, is great, but that has not changed the behavior of marijuana users. What actually happened is, the average cost of marijuana decreased by 86%, making it more affordable to those already using the drug, while the potency, or strength, of the drug increased 161%.
Similarly, from 1990 to 2007, the price of heroin decreased 81% and the prices of cocaine decreased 80%. The potency of heroin increased 60% and 11% for cocaine during that same time frame. When the potency of the drug increases and the price decreases, the danger is extremely high for fatal and life-altering consequences like overdose, brain damage, medical conditions, mental illness, loss of job, family, and relationships, and freedom when arrested.
Though the War on Drugs has good intentions, it seems time to revamp the strategy.
Cindy Nichols is an addiction specialist and specializes in xanax recovery at Recovery Now TV.
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