Question

Compare and contrast the United States' experience with national laws prohibiting alcohol and drugs. If you believe that those experiences are similar, then why didn't the country repeal drug laws as it did with alcohol laws? If you don't believe that those experiences are similar then what can the country do to make its efforts at controlling drugs more successful?

Answer 1

United States has a strict policy towards drugs and other controlled substances as the experience varies from substance to substance for eg. the high you get from alcohol is different from other drugs.

alcohol has a deep connection with the culture of the US and thus it is more lenient towards it where as other cultures around the world may have different opinions.

getting back to your question i don't believe such experiences are similar and that some substances have to be strictly monitered and controlled for eg. heroin and crack which have a high LD50 (the point when a drug becoms toxic or lethal dose)

The US can learn from the progess of other countries when it comes to drugs for eg. portugal where there has been a decline in drug use among youth has decriminalized all drugs and therefore has eliminated the "coolness" if i may surrounding it. so fewer and fewer younger people are attracted towards it. Or the US can also take a chapter from one of it's own states Colarado where marijuana is legal and is regulated by the government and is financing a lot of government activites and also funding rehabilitation centers to help people fight addiction from various other drugs. all in all the WAR on DRUGS has been an utter failure and a new strategy must be put in place, one where a more broad minded approach is necessary and users must not be seen as criminals but as people who need to be supported and helped. drugs like cannabis are proving to be a medical boon as it cures many ailments without adverse side effects. the old narrow minded approach of the NIXON era is not working anymore and is causing more harm than good. a strong emphasis must be placed on mental health care while dealing with drug users and a more hands on approach must be taken at the grass roots level to raise kids self-esteems and confidence so that they dont seek these drugs as a way to feel part of a community, for people who already use drugs ,compassion and the right sort of rehabilitation is required such as group counselling or the 12 step program, private rehabilitation centers that charge a hefty fee must be avoided as they dont have any real science backing their claims. these must be handled both at state level and at the federal level so that effective care is given to existing users and enough support is given to the next generation to point them in the right direction.