Richard Nixon s War On Drugs Essay - 1888 Words

Richard Nixon has declared war on drugs in 1971. He announced to the Americans that America’s public enemy number one is drug abuse. Drug users are everywhere from their own homes, schools, communities, courts, jails, hospitals and prisons. Those who use drugs have nothing to good gain, it only causes problems. Children are neglected or abused, innocent civilians are robbed or even killed for money to buy and obtain drugs. Most eventually end up imprisoned for few years to live. The only ones benefiting from the drug wars are the drug dealers, drug cartels, and organized crime syndicates. The government, on the other hand, has spent billions of dollars to counter attack and end the drug sales and distribution of drugs according to Arthur J. Lurigio â€Å"During the first half of 2006 alone, the war on drugs cost the federal and state governments more than $30 billion†. As law enforcement arrest those involved in the drug war they will most likely cause certain races in this drug arrest and are then showed in the media to push the racism and stereotype, making law enforcement and the people of the community to fear and target theses people because of their association with the drug. The very first drug to appear to the US was during 1800. Law enforcement agencies have been punishing minorities that are stereotyped to the specific drug. The first drug to appear in the United States is opium. What opium is a very highly addictive drug that comes from poppy seed pods. The poppy seedShow MoreRelatedPresident Richard Nixon s The War On Drugs1335 Words   |  6 PagesStarting in 1971, President Richard Nixon declared the War on Drugs. He stated, â€Å"America’s public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. In order to fight and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive.† The War on Drugs aimed to fight against a supply and demand epidemic that had America at its knees. Nixon’s policies blatantly reflect society s attitude regarding the trafficking of illegal narcotics. In 1973, Nixon initiated an interdiction effort in MexicoRead MoreCombating Drug Use in America1096 Words   |  5 PagesThe use of illegal drugs has plagued society for thousands of years. Illicit drugs use can be found all around the world. The War on Drugs is a term applied to a campaign on the prohibition of drugs of drug use, with the effort to reduced illegal drug trades. The current War on Drugs has affected our society physically and emotionally, and should end for the better of our society immediately. When the War on Drugs began, it was â€Å"The expectation that drug trafficking in the United States could beRead MoreDrug Abuse Prevention And Control888 Words   |  4 PagesJune 17, 1971, United States President Richard Nixon gave a press conference to publicize the publication of the special message that was given to Congress on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control. During this he declared drug abuse public enemy number one (Nixon, 1971). In the message to Congress Nixon states that the United States should dedicate more federal resources to â€Å"the prevention of new addicts, and the rehabilitation of tho se who are addicted† (Nixon, 1971). This part did not receive equalRead MoreRichard Nixon : The Silent1491 Words   |  6 PagesRichard Nixon was a president that dealt with many problems while he was in office, such as Vietnam, China, and civil rights. Nixon was a great politician and appeared to want the best for America. 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Nixon in June, 1971, the war on drugs has been one lost at great cost. In thisRead MoreThe Legalization Of Illegal Drugs1262 Words   |  6 PagesBefore President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse as America’s number one public enemy in 1971, the United States already had a long history of combating the use of illegal drugs. The first of its kind was the legislation that passed in San Francisco in 1875. This newly passed legislation banned the smoking of opium. However, this legislation seemed to be racially motivated. San Francisco citizens believed that Chinese men who resided in the commu nity, and who were highly regarded as opium smokersRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1436 Words   |  6 PagesThe legalization of marijuana has always been both a social and political issue. As of currently the direction of most debates about marijuana concern drug liberalization as the nation gets more and more progressive with marijuana. 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