Needle Programs...Are they really Successful?

Everyone knows that drugs are a major controversial problem in the United States and the rest of the world. War on drugs has been an ongoing issue that has not only cost people a lot of money to prevent but has also cost a lot of people their lives. Gang violence, drug trafficking and diseases to name a few, have been some of the major issues behind the killings of men, women, and children. The war on drugs will continue to become a problem until it is slowed down or it comes to a complete stop. Fortunately there have been programs that have helped addicts with the use of their drugs. Needle programs have been developed to give addicts the opportunity to use drugs in a clean way and prevent the spread of diseases. Unfortunately, the United States government has not been a big supporter of this program and these particular programs are only surviving by the funds of private organizations.

With the sharing of needles, drug addicts transmit hepatitis, HIV, and other blood borne viruses. With the help of the needle programs, it not only stops the transmission of these diseases but also provide addicts with support and information that can lead them into treatment. If an addict visits a needle exchange, not only can they receive clean syringes, but they are able to pick up free condoms and talk to counselors that can help them with treatment options (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). It has been proven that the needle programs help in reducing the transmission of diseases. “According to a 2004 review by the World Health Organization, (WHO) there is compelling evidence that the programs reduce HIV infections” (Norton, 2010). In New Jersey, there are five counties that have hosted a syringe exchange program and they believe that it is a beneficial program. The program has “helped 998 of them enter treatment, and have also collected 295,736 used syringes, and provided 706,568 new ones” (Livio, 2010). Also, “drug addicts in New York City have found that new infection rates dropped more than 75% after city and community activists expanded clean-needle programs” (Szalavitz, 2009). Although the needle program may not help stop drug addicts from using drugs, it is helping lower the amount of diseases and HIV spread throughout the United States.

Because the needle program is such a controversial subject, many believe that giving syringe needles to drug addicts encourage addicts to continue with their drug use and for some even increase the amount of usage. Not only do drug users transmit diseases through the use of needles, but they also partake in risky unprotected sex that can also cause the spread of HIV and other types of diseases (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). The only way to stop the transmission of diseases is to stop the use of drugs which is obviously an unreachable goal at the moment. It is shown that “as many as half of new HIV infections are caused by the sharing of injection equipment contaminated with HIV, either directly due to injection drug use, through unprotected sex with someone who acquired HIV infection through injection drug use, or birth to a mother who acquired HIV infection through these means” (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). Not only do the sharing of needles cause the spread of disease between the people using them, but it can be passed down from mothers to their children, and become a vicious cycle.

So what do we do, give addicts needles to stop the spread of disease, or take away the needle programs in hope that people will stop using drugs? People are going to continue to use drugs regardless of how hard the government fights to stop them. The war on drugs not only costs a lot of money but it really is not getting us anywhere. Although giving addicts clean needles to use may be like giving matches to a pyromaniac, it is a way for people to stop the spread of disease between millions of people. If the government would spend more money on the funding of needle programs, it will pose as an open door for addicts wanting and needing to get rehabilitated.


Livio, S.K. (2010, April 8). Retrieved from New Jersey Real Time News website: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/needle_exchange_pilot_programs.html

Murphy J. & Knowles, B. (2000, June 15). Are Needle Exchange Programs a Good Idea? Retrieved from http://www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1352b-1.html

Norton, A. (2010, March 11). Do Needle Exchange Programs Really Work? Retrieved from Reuter Health Website: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A4EC20100311

Szalavitz, M. (2009, May 16). Retrieved from TIME website: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1898073,00.html

Legalization of Drugs

Should Drugs be legalized? There have been many debates as to whether or not drugs should be legalized. Some believe that legalizing drugs will help our country in many ways. There is so much time and money being spent on enforcing the use of illegal drugs that it is causing a drain on society and still nothing has been done about it. Drugs continue to be used and much violence is the cause of it. Some states such as California, has been pushing the issue of legalizing marijuana and taxing it so the state can make money. Although this sounds like a good idea, many are opposed to it because marijuana is in fact a drug and some do not believe it should be legalized. If we were to legalize drugs, would our problems as a country go away?

Drug use is causing much turmoil throughout the United States. Some argue that legalizing drugs will reduce crime. However, that is not the case. Drugs cause people to become violent. Most crimes are committed while a person is on drugs. In fact, “crime will rise when drugs are legal because more people will be taking drugs. Crime is high in high-drug use areas not because people are committing a crime to get drugs, but the influence of the drugs made them more inclined to commit a crime” (Gargaro, C). Also, “Prohibition creates violence because it drives the drug market underground. This means buyers and sellers cannot resolve their disputes with lawsuits, arbitration or advertising, so they resort to violence instead” (Miron, J). Aside from the crimes people commit while on drugs, people turn to violence over drugs. For example, Mexican drug cartels commit violence against Americans and others in their country due to drugs and drug trafficking. Legalizing drugs will not stop the violence that is committed in the United States. If drugs are legalized and sold in stores; crimes will still be committed because criminals will find their own way of selling them to make money for themselves. Either way it’s a loose loose situation.

It is also believed that if drugs are legalized it will help the economy. “In 2010, federal prisons cost taxpayers $6.2 billion… drug-related crimes account about half of the federal prisoners” (Ozimek, A). Because of the war on drugs, Americans are paying billions of dollars to prevent people from using, selling, and trafficking drugs in the United States. Not only that, but it is also costing money to prosecute criminals, house them in jails and prisons, and rehabilitate them in hopes that it will stop the use of drugs. Unfortunately none of this is helping against the drug war and is wasting society’s money. However, “across the country, lawmakers and residents of cash-strapped states are edging ever closer to legalizing -- and taxing – marijuana” (Miller, S). California for example is the first state in the U.S. to pass a medical marijuana law to help raise money for the state. It is believed that the taxing of marijuana will help bring California out of its deficit. Although this may help the state, there will still be problems with people using the drug illegally, or people trying to grow and sell marijuana for their own profit without paying taxes.

The legalization of drugs will continue to be an ongoing debate and would make society even more chaotic than it is right now. Violence will always occur because of the whole war on drugs and with the legalization of drugs, it will just make it worse. It will not help solve the United States problems. However, the legalization of some drugs such as marijuana will eventually help states get out of their deficit. Regardless of how any one feels about legalizing or not legalizing drugs, nothing will ever solve the problems and violence that society faces every day because of the war on drugs.



Gargaro, C. (1999). Drug Legalization. Retrieved from
http://www.gargaro.com/drugs.html

Miller, S. (2010, January 28). Don't legalize marijuana. Retrieved from Los Angeles
Times website: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/28/opinion/la-oe-miller28-2010jan28

Miron, J.A. (2009, March 24). Legalize drugs to stop violence. Retrieved from
CNN’s website: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/24/miron.legalization.drugs/index.html

Ozimek, A. (2010, February 9). Would Legalizing Drugs Help The Economy? Retrieved
from: http://modeledbehavior.com/2010/02/09/would-legalizing-drugs-help-the-economy/

Crack vs. Cocaine

Crack and Cocaine are two drugs that are highly used throughout the United States. Not only is it a very popular drug, but there have been many controversial issues regarding they’re use. They both come from the same plant, but are manufactured differently. However, a person using a less amount of crack cocaine will receive the same amount of prison time for a person using a larger amount of powdered cocaine.

Pure cocaine, which is a form of powder, was introduced for medicinal purposes in the 1880s. It was used in eye, nose, and throat surgeries as an anesthetic and for its ability to constrict blood vessels and limit bleeding. Nowadays, it is used either through injections or it is snorted to receive a “high”. Crack cocaine which is a white crystal-like rock, emerged in the mid-1980s due to the fact that it was inexpensive to produce and buy, as well as gave people an almost immediate high from its use.(U.S. News) This form of cocaine is smoked, which is one of the reasons why it has become increasingly popular.

Smoking crack will also cause a person to receive more jail time. By obtaining five grams of crack, a person will automatically receive five years imprisonment compared to five hundred grams of powder cocaine which will also give a person five years in prison (Difference between.net). The majority of crack cocaine offenders have been African American as opposed to powder cocaine offenders which have been predominantly Hispanic. In 2006, African Americans accounted for 82 percent of crack cocaine-related arrests, while Caucasian and Hispanic offenders accounted for 72 percent of powder cocaine-related arrests (US news). This has caused a racial disparity by unequal prison sentences between the use of crack and powdered cocaine. Currently, President Obama is working with Congress to change the prison sentencing for crack and cocaine users by treating people equally regardless of what type of drug they are caught using or selling (Huffington post).


Difference between.net. (2010). Difference between Crack and Powder. Retrieved from http://www.differencebetween.net/object/difference-between-crack-and-powder/

Margasak, L. (2009, April 9). Obama Crack Sentencing Laws Change in Works. Retrieved from Huffington Post website: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/obama-crack-sentencing-la_n_192799.html

U.S News. (2007, Oct 1). Crack vs. Powder Cocaine: a Gulf in Penalties. Retrieved from U.S. News website: http://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2007/10/01/crack-vs-powder-cocaine-a-gulf-in-penalties.html

Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is one of the most common and profitable organized crime throughout the United States. It has caused much violence and turmoil not only amongst Americans, but also in other parts of the world. According to the U.S. Customs service, over 60 million people enter the United States each year. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine are trafficked into the United States many different ways. People have entered the United States on “more than 675,000 commercial and private flights. Another 6 million come by sea and 370 million by land. In addition, 116 million vehicles cross the land borders with Canada and Mexico. And more than 90,000 merchant and passenger ships dock at U.S. ports” (U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency). Due to trafficking, many violent crimes have occurred that have resulted in the deaths of many people caused by drug cartels.

Mexico is one of the largest countries that play a role in the trafficking of drugs into the United States. Many incidents have occurred along the Mexico and United States borders that were caused by drug cartels in Mexico. Although Mexican government has fought courageously to limit the ability of drug cartels to do business, it has resulted in a significant amount of violence. It has been a challenge for both Mexico and the United States, but Mexico has been taking necessary steps to control the situation. According to the Assistant Secretary of State, David Johnson, “The United States is committed to support these efforts, including further steps to confront and dismantle the drug cartels that are responsible for smuggling most of the cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine consumed within the United States,”

Recent increased violence in Mexico has required the United States Government to take more steps into the protection of the U.S borders. According to President Obama, the government is intended "to make sure that the border communities in the United States are protected and you're not seeing a spillover of violence, and that we are helping the Mexican government deal with a very challenging situation." It is time for the two countries to share the responsibility of this issue and deal with it together instead of “pointing fingers” at each other (S. Hsu and J Warrick). With so many ways of drugs being smuggled in, it is tough for the government to stop this organized crime from occurring. However, with some efforts in the collaboration with other countries, it is a possibility that this crime can be prevented and the violence from drug cartels be stopped.

Hsu, S.S., & Warrick, J. (2009). U.S. Stepping Up Response to Mexican Drug Violence. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from Washington Post website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp dyn/content/article/2009/03/24/AR2009032401155.html

Kellerhals, M.D. (2009). Illegal Drug Trade Takes Lives, Ruins Societies. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from America.gov website: http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec english/2009/February/20090227170256dmslahrellek0.3142664.html

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. (May 2004). Drug Trafficking in the United States. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from Almanac of Policy Issues website: http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_trafficking.shtml

History of Popular Drugs and their Trends

Drug trends and patterns have changed throughout history. There are many different types of drugs that have developed throughout time, but the most popular drugs consist of amphetamines; cocaine; crack; LSD; Marijuana; opium and heroin. The history of these drugs date back to the 1600’s when the first “drug” was used. Not only were these drugs used for recreational purposes but some of them were used for other reasons.

Drug use began in the 1600’s when marijuana was grown by Jamestown settlers, for making rope, sails, and clothing. Marijuana was a major revenue source throughout the United States until after the Civil War. Between 1850 and 1937, marijuana was used for medicinal purposes and could be purchased in pharmacies and general stores. Due to the rise of crimes and violence caused by the use of marijuana, Congress criminalized marijuana in 1937. In recent years, the punishment of the use of marijuana has decreased and in some states has been legalized medically for people suffering serious illnesses such as AIDS.

Amphetamines were first created in 1887; and became popular in the 1920’s when it was used for raising blood pressure, enlarging the nasal passages, and stimulating the central nervous system. The drug became abused in 1930 when it was sold in an over the counter inhaler. During the 1990s, the popularity of crystal meth, a smokeable form of methamphetamines began to increase in the United States. The current profiles of meth users are students both high school and college, and white blue-collar and unemployed people usually in their 20’s and 30’s.

Cocaine, another drug used medicinally was first prescribed to soldiers in training to help reduce fatigue; it became a popular drug in the 1900’s and was used by an estimated 200,000 people. Once the drug became outlawed in the United States, the use declined. The drug was viewed as harmless until the 1985 surfacing of crack. Crack cocaine was made by cooking cocaine powder, water, and baking soda until it becomes solid and can be broken down into rocks. Although cocaine was expensive to purchase, crack cocaine was affordable and became popular in the working class and poorer neighborhoods.

LSD was accidentally discovered in 1943 and was at first only available to those who had connections in the medical field because it was only distributed to health professionals. However, LSD was not difficult to produce and the development of a black market for LSD emerged in the US. Nevertheless in 1966 Congress prohibited the possession, manufacturing, sale, and importation of LSD. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the use of LSD declined but again became popular in the 1990’s in the rave subculture.

Opiates were popular in the 19th century among women. They were first prescribed to them for the suffering from neurasthenia and other "female problems.” In 1875 opium smoking was banned in San Francisco but became popular throughout the United States. From opium, developed heroin, which was considered to be a “hip” drug. In the 1990’s heroin usage increased greatly and caused South American organizations to expand from cocaine markets to heroin.

Although these are the most popular drugs used throughout the nation, there are many other types of drugs that have been created and continue to be used. The pattern of drug use has changed as well. Some drugs are used more than others or have certain types of users. However, drug use threatens Americans of every “socio-economic background, geographic region, educational level, and ethnic and racial identity”. An estimated 12.8 million Americans use illegal drugs, and the problem with drugs will continue (NCJRS.GOV).

McCaffrey, Barry R. (1997). America's Drug Abuse Profile. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from NCJRS website: http://www.ncjrs.gov/htm/chapter2.htm

Sloboda, Z. and N. J. Kozel. (2003). Understanding drug trends in the United States of America. Bulletin on Narcotics, 55. Retrieved from http://www.unodc.org/pdf/bulletin/bulletin_2003_01_01_1_Art5.pdf

Smith, Martin, Brooke Runnett, Oriana Zill. (2000). A Social History of America's Most Popular Drugs. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from PBS.org website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/socialhistory.html

Drug Users: Who Are They?

All types of substances have been used by Americans throughout our history and drug use trends have changed drastically throughout the years. Drug users vary from all sorts of different ages to different types. Researchers have categorized drug users into three different categories that can better explain these different types of drug users. Although there are many different drugs that are abused, the most common being abused are cocaine, heroin, hydrocodone, inhalants, LSD, marijuana, MDMA also known as ecstasy, methamphetamine, oxycontin, and steroids.

Rates of drug use have shown a large variation by age. In 2003, it was reported that the age 18-25 use the most types of illicit drugs. Of that category, 18-20 years of age had the highest illicit drug use followed by 16-17 and the 21-25 age group. Also shown in the age group of 18-25 years old, 17 percent used marijuana, 6 percent used prescription-type drugs non-medically, 2.2 percent used cocaine and 1.7 used hallucinogens. Among the youth, the types of drugs used differ by age. Marijuana was the most commonly used drug among 16 to 17 year olds, followed by prescription-type drugs used non-medically, hallucinogens, and cocaine.

According to Hanson, Venturelli, and Fleckenstein, Asians continued to have the lowest percentage of current illicit drug use when research in 2003 was conducted. Among the various racial and ethnic groups, American Indian/Alaska Native youth aged 12 to 17 was the highest amount of current illicit drug use. Among Hispanics, Puerto Ricans were the heaviest users of illicit drugs followed by Mexicans and Cubans. Among men and women, men are more likely to report current drug use than women. Among youths aged 12 to 17, the rate of current illicit drug use was similar for boys and girls. Although the rate is similar, boys had a higher rate of marijuana use as opposed to girls who used non-medical prescription type drugs. In general, gender and drug use correlate with specific age periods.

Personality traits of drug users vary according to their general approach or orientation, frequency of use and types and amounts of the drugs they consume. Some users are occasional or moderate users whereas others have a stronger attachment to drug use. Some users display such a compulsive behavior that they need the drugs all day and night. There are three different types of patterns that researchers have classified, experimenters who begin using drugs largely because of peer pressure and curiosity, and they confine their use to recreational settings; compulsive users who in contrast devote a lot of time and energy to getting high and talk about drug use frequently; and lastly “floaters” or “chippers” who focus more on using other people’s drugs without maintaining a steady supply of drugs, they are light to moderate consumers such as experimenters.

United States has the largest rate of drug users throughout the world. There are many different types of drug users and at many different ages, but the most drug use is between the ages of 18 and 25. Of course both men and women are drug users, but it has been found that men have a higher percent of drug use than women. People use drugs for all sorts of reasons. Some use them for recreational purposes and some are so addicted to them that it ruins their lives. Either way, drugs are a dangerous substance and it seems as though the drug trend is going to continue to get worse throughout the years.

Hanson, Glen R., Peter J. Venturelli, Annette E. Fleckenstein. (2006). Drugs and Society. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?
id=CYVnEgrkusC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2002). Drug Information. Retrieved from
http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/concern.htm

Drug Crimes: Why is it a Social Problem?

Illegal drugs continue to be a major social problem throughout the world. It is argued that drugs are responsible for crime, violence, and the spread of HIV. Unfortunately, these only represent part of the problem. Drug-exposed infants, the breakdown of families and the deterioration of drug-inflicted neighborhoods, just to name a few, are also consequences of drugs. Not only do drugs affect the user, they affect people and communities that are surrounded by them, specifically friends and family members of the users (Lee P. Brown).

Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines that are used, manufactured, possessed, and distributed are crimes in themselves. Drugs also relate to crime through the effects that the drug has on the user’s behavior which eventually generates into violence and other illegal activities such as drug trafficking. Not only do these drugs create a lot of problems for people and their communities, but they also damage a person’s body and mind. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are three different types of relationships between drugs and crime. They are, Drug-defined offenses which are violations of the law in the possession, distribution and manufacturing of drugs; Drug-related offenses which violent behavior such as stealing money to buy drugs or violence against rival drug dealers, are committed; And drug-using lifestyle which is a life orientation with an emphasis on short-term goals supported by illegal activities (Office of National Drug Control Policy).

Will drug crimes be resolved in the future? Most likely not. With so many new developments in drugs, crimes will continuously be committed. The development and use of drugs has skyrocketed from when the use of drugs first began. There is no telling when and if the use of drugs and drug related crime will end. With the creation of new drug laws and drug court, drugs will continue to be a trend throughout the United States as well as other countries. According to author Peter Cohen, “Preparing for the future means that we will have to regulate drug use instead of continuing our Victorian and futile attempts to stamp it out.” We as a country are never going to be able to stop the use and distribution of drugs and the violence that drug related crimes cause; as long as there is always a buyer, there is always going to be a distributer. Cohen goes on to say “as long as drugs are left unregulated, and as long as the issue is a main stage for conservative political bravado tough talk and war mongering, drug policies will not tackle — even marginally — the drug-crime connection. On the contrary, the connection will flourish.”