The war on drugs is an effort to regulate the drug market in the United States. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is an agency under the United States Department of justice and was created in 1973 (Rabkin, 1999). The agency’s overall goals are to stop drug smuggling within the United States. The major efforts which the DEA cover are tracking down any drug related activity of any major organizations, nationally and internationally. The main focus of the DEA is to dismantle any efforts of organizations which deal with drug related crimes; this largely involves drug trafficking within the United States (“DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Teams”, 2001). It works under the law of the Controlled Substances Act and shares a jurisdiction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Drugs, Crime and the Justice System”, 1992). Additionally, the DEA is responsible for looking in to drug related crimes abroad in relation to the United States. The members of the team need to be able to identify illicit drugs from pharmaceutically manufactured drugs (State and Local Law Enforcement Training”, 1989). The DEA is trained to know the basic narcotics and their dangers. They deal with the National and International trading of drugs; this involves planning raids, undercover work and conspiracy investigations (“DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Teams”, 2001). They aim to control drug-related crimes.
The federal government had an agency within the Department of Justice which handled drug related crimes; the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. This was created in 1930 and its role was similar to that of the DEA, in stopping the manufacturing and sales of illegal drugs (Gaines & Miller, 2009). The FBN’s main priorities were focused on Cocaine and Heroin. Because of the rise in the drug trade industry and drug trafficking, several other agencies had been introduced in the system, yet the FBN is the most influential on the system of the DEA. After the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act were passed in 1970, the FBN was replaced with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs as its successor (Gaines & Miller, 2009). However, with all the drug related crimes on a high during the 70s, the government felt the need for a “superagency” to rise – thus resulting in the creation of the DEA.
There is said empirical evidence which links armed conflict – this includes terrorism – and the possession of and trafficking of narcotics. Some believe that there is connection between terrorist groups and organized crime groups. There is similarity between these two groups, and this brings in the concept of “narco-terrorism”. There are numerous terrorist organizations, and around the same number of drug trafficking organizations, their link is in the evidence of the existence of very few cases. Their link is found from around thirty or so countries, and this can be established with some level of certainty. According to the United Nations, there are more than 100 countries which are involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs. With the countries which produce these drugs, there are cases of crime and violence, not necessarily connected with terrorist crimes. The only evidence which can be established is that some profit from the drug trafficking industry seems to go to terrorists (Silke, 2003).
There are evidences that the members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia protect cocaine drug laboratories, these evidences are found in the lab return for fees which generate millions of dollars in income. This income is spread across their communist mantra each year. During November 2002, AUC members with undercover DEA organized to purchase cocaine in exchange for armed weapons. Since 1990, narco-terrorists in Columbia kidnapped over 50 U.S. citizens; this was mostly for ransom in order to gain funds for their laboratories. From 1995 to this year, they have murdered 12 Americans (Lee, 2004).
The war on drugs overlooks a problem plaguing the homeless. The DEA is seen to regulate illicit drugs and prohibit more mainstream substances, and overlook those being manufactured right inside the country. A very common problem among the homeless and the indigent is substance abuse. There are shelters that might provide residence and food for those who are struggling, but not all allow intoxicated or drug dependent individuals in (Lomas, 1992). This is not because of prejudice or discrimination, but because of the safety of others who might want to find refuge in the shelter. There are many shelters which offer refuge for women who want to get their children off the streets and are struggling to find food enough to feed their family. However, most of these shelters that are exclusively for women do not allow men inside, more so homeless men who may have addiction issues. There has been a rapid increase of homeless males with a substance abuse problem. Without the right help and support, these people would not have anywhere to turn to and could just end up being a mortality statistic. The sad truth is that no one really pays any mind to these people unless they are moved by a touching television commercial or billboard. You don’t ever think of helping a homeless person in need unless it is Christmas. The right care for those who might be less fortunate is needed. In order to provide sufficient service, the needs have to be assesse Many people who are on the streets have mental conditions or substance abuse problems that are not being treated (Scott, 1993). As many as 50% of those who are homeless have a mental illness, out of that percentage a large 70-80% have spent a lifetime not being diagnosed (Dixon & Osher, 1995). It cannot be determine if these conditions were due to homelessness or was the cause of their homelessness. Studies have not gotten far enough to determine this. However, it is clear that the conditions and symptoms of illnesses do worsen due to the living conditions each homeless person has to face. Those who are involved in substance abuse face an even greater problem that plagues the lives of the homeless. Many of the people who are seen to have this problem find it as a last resort, in order to escape reality or divert their hunger (Farriello & Scheidt, 1989). The motivation for change seen in homeless people who have a mental condition or are facing substance abuse is not getting any better. This is mostly because they do not think that there is any hope left for them. Many people who are in the street feel as if they are alone and have no other choice. They live their lives trying to get by with the little that they have. Many of these people feel that they have become invisible to society, no longer wanted and not at all needed. Homeless shelters can only offer refuge to a small percentage of the homeless. Many do not make the cut as shelters can only take in a certain number each day. There are a lot of agencies that have tried to implement programs that help those with substance abuse problems. Unfortunately, these programs are difficult to find and homeless people with violent cases are also difficult to treat. More so if there are a number of intoxicated individuals in the room who are aggravated and are feeling targeted. Nevertheless, these efforts are still to be pursued for the good of humanity and to restore life. It may be difficult to implement programs for those who suffer from a mental illness and those who have a history of drug abuse, but it does not mean that all efforts are in vain.
However, like all things, the war on drugs is seen as a negative effort by those who wish to legalize marijuana. The war on the particular narcotic has been around since the time of Nixon. Many claimed that it was merely a generation gap. Now, with more than 20 states embracing this “medical” drug, the war on drugs is seen to be a bane for those who want to legalize marijuana.
Works Cited
DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Teams (2001). United States General Accounting Office.
Drugs, Crime and the Justice System (1992). A National Report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Gaines, L.K., & Miller, R.L. (2009). Criminal Justice in Action, 5th ed. Belmonte: Thomson Higher Education.
Lee, G.D. (2004). Global Drug Enforcement: Practical Investigative Techniques. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Rabkin, N. (1999). Drug Control: DEAS Strategies and Operations in the 1990s. United States General Accounting Office.
Silke, A., ed. (2003) Terrorists, Victims, and Society: Psychological Perspectives on Terrorism and Its Consequences. Chichester, England: Wiley.
