Has the War on Drugs Worked? An Opinion

Here in Australia, we have our fair share of narcotic use, and law enforcement likes to think they have things under control, yet when you look a little deeper, all is not as well as it could be. The first thing that should be said is that by criminalising possession or use of a substance, you automatically boost the demand. The prohibition in the 1920s taught us that, yet some administrations fail to see that.

Can Drug Use be Eradicated?

The short answer is no. People will always find a way to get what they want, and when money is involved, people can be very smart and enterprising. You are never going to see zero illegal drug use; the goal should be containment and rehabilitation rather than punishment, at least for users. Suppliers should be given much harsher sentences. Despite the saliva drug test and the many other tests law enforcement possesses, people still use, buy and sell.

Focus on the Young

Most governments have realised that resources must be spent on educating young people before they begin using drugs. Skilled educators should visit primary and secondary schools and deliver their program that is aimed at steering kids away from drugs.

Offering Alternatives

Investing in sports venues is a great way to engage the local youth; they can channel their energy into sport, and a fit person is less likely to experiment with drugs. Music programs and adventure weekends also provide the teenagers with suitable activities.

Drug Rehab

One of the fastest-growing sectors is substance abuse rehab, which is a sad reflection of the current state of affairs. Judges should be aware of the many treatments that can be a sentence, rather than a custodial sentence, which is only going to turn a young mind to criminality. More resources need to be aligned with such initiatives, as they help people to return to society as productive members.

Social Issues

The current state of the country is one reason why more people are using drugs; they view it as a form of escape, even if it is temporary. Stress is a main reason why a person turns to narcotics, and with the high cost of living, people are struggling.

Unemployment

When a person has nothing to do, they are far more likely to try drugs, and some become depressed and self-medicate; unemployment numbers are rising, due to businesses having to pay more tax, plus a failing economy does not help matters.

So, we conclude that the war on drugs will never be won, and rather than seeing it as a battle, the focus should be on education and rehab, which would produce better outcomes.

It can take years for government wheels to turn, and we hope that they start to do something soon, before the problem becomes an epidemic. Watchdogs are monitoring every federal government statement and policy change, looking for the right action.