Explain the War on Drugs Since the 1970s, the War on Drugs has been an intense subject in America due to its impact on minority groups.

Assignment Question

The War on Drugs Since the 1970s, the War on Drugs has been an intense subject in America due to its impact on minority groups. This research paper digs into the connection between the War on Drugs and racial inequalities in criminal justice enforcement. The articles by Cohen, cooper, The Drug Policy Alliance and the United States Office on Drugs and Crime, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and The Leadership Conference Education Fund collectively highlight the disproportionate impact on drug policies on people of color. This papers focus on the social, economic, and systemic consequences of the War on Drugs and advocates for a change within the criminal justice system policies on this matter. To being with, there have been many analysis on the connection between the War on Drugs and its impact on race and mass incarceration.

Auhor Andew Cohen argues that the War on Drugs has disproportionately affected minority communities, leading to a significant increase in the number of people of color being imprisoned. In his article he mentions, “Although household surveys from the National Institute for Drug Abuse have revealed larger numbers of documented white crack cocaine users, the overwhelming number of arrests nonetheless came from Black communities who were disproportionately impacted by the facially neutral, yet illogically harsh, crack penalties” (Cohen et al. 5). The author points out racial disparities in the criminal justice system, highlighting how drug policies contribute to the excessive policing and punishment of Black and Latino individuals.The article also discusses the social and economic impacts of mass incarceration, including family disruptions and the perpetuation of poverty cycles. Cohen advocates for criminal justice reforms that address systemic inequalities and reevaluate drug policies for a fairer society.

Addition to that, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) talks about how the War on Drugs and race intersect, pointing out that drug policies in the U.S. unfairly impact minority communities. They say these policies lead to more arrests, convictions, and harsher sentences for African Americans and Hispanics, even though drug use rates are similar across races. The ACLU argues that this targeting by law enforcement contributes to racial disparities and keeps these communities trapped in poverty. They blame policies like mandatory minimum sentences and three-strikes laws for making these disparities worse and perpetuating an unfair criminal justice system. The organization calls for changes that address the root causes of drug issues, promote fair sentencing, and work to end systemic racism in the criminal justice system. In summary, the ACLU insists on a thorough reevaluation of drug policies to create a fairer and more just society. Moving forward, Hannah L F.Cooper’s explores how tough drug enforcement policies are linked to incidents of police brutality. The author argues that aggressive strategies in drug enforcement have led to more cases of police using excessive force.

The militarization of law enforcement and intense tactics during drug operations are identified as major reasons. The article points out that communities, especially those with a lot of drug activities, suffer the most from police using too much force. For example, “Police forces and funding increased dramatically to support the War on Drugs. For example, between 1992 and 2008, state and local expenditures on police doubled, from $131/per capita to $260/per capita;(Lynch, 2012) federal expenditures increased as well.(Meeks, 2006) Increased federal, state, and local funding for law enforcement translated into many more officers patrolling the streets” (Cooper, 2016). Over the year, police enforments are getting paid more and more to hurt these communities that the system placed these drugs into. Overall, the article highlights the complicated relationship between drug policies and police actions, making the case for the criminal justice system to rethink its approach for the sake of community safety and well-being. This article from the Drug Policy Alliance and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime talks about how the global war on drugs has unfairly affected communities of color. Despite similar drug use rates among different races, people of color face higher arrest and incarceration rates. The article also points out that mass incarceration has negative effects on individuals and families, causing social and economic problems. “ Drug war policies permeate every facet of life, including health, welfare, education, housing, and voting. The constant emphasis on pun- ishment exacts a high price from minority populations and traps them in a vicious cycle of incar- ceration, addiction, and helpless- ness with little compassion or assistance from the government” (Drug Policy Allince and the United Nations Office on Drugs, 2023). It suggests that we need a more compassionate and health-focused approach to drug policy, as punitive measures haven’t solved the root issues. The document calls for a reevaluation of harsh sentencing policies and the use of evidence-based alternatives to incarceration.

The Leadership Conference Education Fund asserts that the “war on drugs” has proven unsuccessful, according to a report released on August 7, 2023. The commission argues that current drug policies have not achieved their intended goals. The statement highlights the failure of the approach to address the complexities of drug-related issues. The report suggests that a reevaluation of drug policies is necessary, calling for alternative strategies that focus on public health and social justice. This critique reflects growing concerns about the effectiveness and impact of the existing “war on drugs” paradigm. The commission urges a shift towards more comprehensive and equitable solutions to better address the challenges associated with drug use and abuse. In summary, all of these sources emphaize the urgent need for a reform in drug policies. Which change the racial inequlaities and systemaic injustices placed my the War on Drugs.

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