Health Mrs. Wagner War on Drugs

Statistics 6% of the world’s population 60% of drugs are bought in US Drugs are were the money is $1200 per seconds on stopping drugs - $35 – 40 Billion ¼ of American families – someone is addicted 1 arrest every 20 seconds – addicts to lower level dealers 50% of prison population – drug charges DEA – Drug Enforcement Agency – makes most drug busts

Reasons More Freedoms Other countries drug issues Diversity/World Travelers Water borders – bring in drugs Profitable Addiction Role Models Deal to support habits 2/3 of drug money on jails and legal system 1/3 on education and rehab

Ways to Get Drugs Make it – Labs – Meth, Ecstasy, LSD Grown – Marijuana, Mushrooms Imported – planes/boats/ “muled” in – Cocaine, Heroin and Opium

Columbia Escobar – organized drug trade Most imported drugs from Heavy violence Bribes – judges, politicians, police, media, journalists 18 billion – all other exports 10.5 billion

Drug Trafficking $400 Billion per year – 8% of world’s trade (larger than automobile exports) Need to stop ¾ of all drug traffic to make drug trade not profitable – presently 30% of cocaine shipments and 10% of heroin are stopped

Legalization Debate Pro’s - save money - Taxes – tobacco, alcohol & fuel most taxed now) - Jail space - Decrease in arrests - Keep violent criminals longer - Regulate - not laced - Rural states would benefit - Less dealers and less crime - less over doses

Con’s - More users - Younger users – before 16, 5x more likely to become addicted (neurotransmitters easier to control at a younger age) - more addicts - more deaths - Increase in healthcare costs - more rehabs - still other drugs - increase in insurance costs

Journal Entry Based on our discussion of legalization, what are your thoughts on the topic. Then discuss how you would picture the United States in 20 years (after you have children) if legalization were to occur.