What tools are the most effective in fighting illegal drugs today?

Question

What enforcement tools would you suggest be used?

Answer 1

Many of the responses here are great! However, as a narcotics officer, most on this forum do not have the same experiences as I when seeing first hand the effects of illegal drugs on individuals, families, and their communities.

The decriminalization of marijuana just reduces penalties associated with its' use/possession. It's still not legal! The effects of marijuana will be argued by user versus competent medical authorities "till the cows come home" yet my better judgment tells me the doctors know best!

When someone says marijuana does not kill....I beg to differ...there are so many statistics to prove that "secondary causes" to a victims death was due to marijuana use! The fact that the drug is a "hallucinogen" that acts as a central nervous system depressant tells me that it does the same as consumming alcohol in that it "alter's the mind" in such a manner that one cannot distinguish reality from fiction in certain circumstances.

Of course there ARE worse drugs on the street of which, in my opinion, methamphetamine takes the number one spot. This is a drug that won't go away as long as there is a demand based upon the users addiction.

So how do we stop the madness? From education to enforcement! You must not only go after the dealer...but the user as well! You must teach your children the health hazards as well as providing alternative means to entertainment!

It is my own estimation that over 80% of crime, be it domestic violence, theft, assaults, or any other crime of violence....most likely there is SOME sort of drug involvement that is the source of the issue! People steal to support their drug habit. People hurt other people over drugs! People who think drugs are cool....aren't!

It's my sincerest hope that my future is not one of which my pilot, doctor, dentist, veteranarian, school bus driver, or whatever, is under the influence of illegal drugs when I or my family is using their services.

Knowing this is a bit long winded, my point is we need to wake up and see the reality of what drugs do to the people of this world before it's our final demise!

Answer 2

We are able to stop all human traffic on the border if we wanted to. However, we must balance two separate issues. First, we have limited resources to go toward various functions that government maintains. A secure border not only needs the initial investment in everything we would need to physically block the border such as high-tech walls, tunnel control, and lighting, but we would also need manpower to staff the border. (No wall, left unattended, would keep out everything, especially motivated drug cartels.) The second balance we have to strike is the desire to keep immigrants out compared to how much force we want to put on the border. It's a political issue regarding how many armed personnel we want on the border, whether it be military or law enforcement.

Answer 3

Offering alternatives that are far more popular than drugs. It's a matter of supply and demand. If alternatives are apparent like: equal education, employment opportunities, engaging after-school programs, internships, counseling, etc, the demand for drugs would erase thus erasing the need for the supply. :)

There is no demand for crap on a plate therefore there is no supply. Why eat crap on a plate when you can get a hot heaping plate Manicotti?

Answer 4

The most effective tools and methods are illegal, which is why the war on drugs is a losing cause. The law tells us we have to be "nice" to those people, which allows their activity to continue and prosper.

Answer 5

Legalization of Marijuana would help. If there were permits required to grow and then sell them, part of the money used to stop this drug can be turned elsewhere. Making the legal age 21 (I would prefer 25.... but that might be a stretch) it would be similar in law to Drinking. No driving.... can't do it in public. Permits to grow and sell would create jobs in the workforce. Perhaps a restriction that a grower cannot be a seller would help keep it competitive.

Answer 6

There are no effective tools because we, that is, our government, goes after the drug pushers who are only suppling the REAL problem, users. Without users there wouldn't be any pushers. Quite simple really.

Answer 7

Lethal Injection.

Answer 8

Citizen awareness and involvement. You can no longer "look the other way". This is something that everyone is responsible for.
The police and government can only do so much. Step up and take control of your lives and your neighborhoods.

Answer 9

Inter prevention more monitoring, Bet er School programs better schools Better Teachers Etc.

Answer 10

I am for legalizing pot - it is so much mellower than alcohol it's not funny. As for the rest, well, good luck. Like whoring, you are not going to stop something people are DRIVEN to do and will pay money for. First you will have convince the US Govt to get out of the drug trade. Don't be so naive as to think they are not involved in it.