America’s Drug Problem. Is Prison Time The Cure?

I believe that the current incarceration policy of the United States of America for non-violent drug offenses has not been effective and only helps to perpetuate the drug use cycle. I intend to show that this current policy overcrowds our prisons, and costs us money and citizens that can be better used.

1% of all American adults are in Jail or prison. While only having less than 5% of the world’s population, the US houses almost 25% of the world prisoners.(Kings College)

From 1933 until Richard Nixon's declaration of a “War on Drugs” in 1971 incarceration rates stayed fairly steady and even had a slight descending theme. After that 1971 declaration incarceration rated began to rise. And in 1984 with the Sentencing Reform Act that introduced minimum sentences and less leeway given to judges, incarceration rates skyrocketed.

Non-violent drug offenses are by far, the number one reason for incarceration in the United States

We Continue to raise the amount we spend on our drug enforcement while drug use stays constant. We are not fixing the problem. (National Drug Control)

In 2009 the government estimates that 23.5 million people were in need of treatment for drug abuse, but only 10% received treatment. The number one reason for not seeking treatment was the inability to pay for treatment. (Substance Abuse)

Some may ask “Why should my tax dollars go towards paying for a drug addict’s treatment?” But when looked at in a purely economic way, treatment would save us money over incarceration.

(Chatham County)

When applied nationally, that is a potential savings of $5,000,000 per day! Just for prisoners held in Federal prisons. (Chatham County)

The “war on drugs” needs to continue to be fought. However, we need to change the weapons that are being used in this war. Instead of using incarceration, that has not been successful, to try to fix the problem, we need to invest in rehabilitation programs to help our fellow citizens.

“You can get over an addiction, but you will never get over a conviction. A conviction will follow you every day for the rest of your life—every time you apply for a job it is over your head like an ugly cloud.” - Jack Cole(Par. 8)

Works Cited “World Prison Population List” KCL.. Kings College Web. 13 Feb “World Prison Population List” Graph. KCL.. Kings College Web. 13 Feb “Federal Prison Population” Graph. November. November Coalition, Web. 13 Feb “Federal Prisoner, By Offense ” Graph. November. November Coalition, Web. 13 Feb “Federal Drug control budget ” Graph. November. November Coalition, Web. 13 Feb “Current Drug Use Rates” Graph. NCJRS. Office of National Drug Control Policy, Web. 13 Feb “Youth Trends in Current Use of Illicit Drugs” Graph. NCJRS. Office of National Drug Control Policy, Web. 13 Feb “Illicit Drug or Alcohol Use Treatment and Treatment Need” Graph. SAMHSA. Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services, Web. 13 Feb “180 Day Cost Comparison” Graph. Chathamcourts. Chatham County, Ga, Web 13 Feb “Per Diem” Graph. Chathamcourts. Chatham County, Ga, Web 13 Feb “Percent of Crimes Cleared By Arrest or Exceptional Means” Graph. FBI. FBI,2009. Web 13 Feb Miron, Jeffrey and Waldock, Katherine. “The Budgetary Impact of Ending Drug Prohibition” CATO. Cato Institute, 27 Sept Web 13 Feb Cole, Jack. “Testifying in favor of S.B & H.B. 862, An Act to Impose a Civil Fine for the Possession of Marijuana” cjpc.org Criminal Justice Policy Coalition Jan. 2014