Drug Trafficking
In The United States
drug trafficking in the united states
"Drag trafficking is an activity that involves the importation, manufacturing, cultivation, distribution, and/or sale of illicit drags.
In this hierarchical system, narcotics are moved from smugglers, growers, or manufacturers to wholesalers who pass the product down through the chain of distribution to retailers and eventually to the consumer or drug user"
(Desroches, 2007, ¶ 1).
Despite the problems inherent in drug abuse promoted by drug trafficking from Mexico and other countries as well as by individuals living in America, United States (U.S.) consumers continue to spend billions of dollars each year on illegal drugs. Producing and supplying illegal drugs currently comprises a massive global business venture expected to continue to grow; negatively impacting the way a person's mind and body works. Drug trafficking portrays the supply side of the drug trade. In the book, Drug trafficking. What if we do nothing?, Harris (2009) explains that in the U.S., drug trafficking constitutes illegal trading of drugs, while on an international scale; it simultaneously depicts a criminal activity. Drug traffickers cater to, albeit, at the same time exploit problem drug users. The United Nations defined drug users as "people who inject a drug or make regular or long-term use of opium-based drugs, cocaine, or amphetamines" (p. 4). During the current paper, the writer argues that as drug trafficking constitutes an illegal, criminal activity that critically contributes to the demise of individuals and ultimately the society in which they live, the ongoing war against drug trafficking in the U.S. should continue. That war, however, should differ from current practices primarily focusing on arresting drug traffickers and focus more on prevention of drug abuse and treatment of drug abusers; leading to decreasing the demand for illicit drugs. The potential for personal enhancement and financial gain reportedly comprise the primary lure for illicit drug trafficking. During the study, "Research on upper level drug trafficking: A review," Desroches (2007) explains: "By its very nature, drag trafficking involves social networks in which several persons engage in an ongoing illegal commercial activity for profit" (¶ 1). No clear consensus exists, however, as to what comprises upper level drug trafficking. Terms the literature utilizes to describe the various roles of individuals involved in drug trafficking include dealers, distributors, drug-brokers, go-betweens, facilitators, importers, smugglers, suppliers, wholesalers, and drug traffickers.
The U.S. War on Drugs, which includes drug trafficking, gained momentum following the speech former U.S. President Richard Nixon made during June 1971; declaring the use of illegal drugs in America as the country's number one public enemy. The expansive borders of America as well as its large, affluent population position it as the world's most tempting target for drug traffickers. A year earlier, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 had become the basis for all later drug policy in the United States. In addition to the act categorizing drugs into five groups, based on their abuse pattern and medicinal usefulness, the Controlled Substance Act also formed new Federal agencies to battle drug use and trafficking (Harris, 2009). Drug trafficking proves so profitable that almost as soon as a member of law enforcement arrests one dealer - another dealer takes over the business. "If users stop wanting to buy drugs, however, the entire trade would collapse. Therefore, some governments are focusing on reducing demand by helping people overcome their addiction" (Harris, 2009, p. 40). Statistics reveal that the U.S., albeit, has repeatedly invested more funds to initiate stronger action against illegal drug traffickers than on treatment and prevention initiatives. The following figure portrays the millions of dollars the U.S. has invested in drug prevention and treatment; compared to anti-trafficking efforts during the years from 2002 to 2008.
U.S. National and International Drug War Spending (Harris, 2009, p. 41).
In the book, The U.S.-Mexican border into the twenty-first century, Ganster, author and Director of the Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias, San Diego State University, and Lorey (2008), also a prominent author as well as Program Officer for Latin America at the Hewlett Foundation in Menlo Park, California, report that by 2006, according to the President's Office of National Drug Control Strategy, 65% of narcotics trafficked and sold in the U.S. market entered across the southwest border. "The U.S. government estimates that Mexican traffickers receive more than $13.8 billion in revenue from illicit drug sales to the United States" (Ganster & Lorey, 2008, p.176). Mexican officials have argued that their drug traffickers are not the primary problem contributing to...
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