War on Drugs
Six years ago our country faced an increasing problem with drug abuse. On February 12, 2002, the
President addressed the Nation, noting that “more than 50 percent of our high school seniors have
said that they’ve experimented with illegal drugs at least once prior to graduation.” Further, a full 25
percent of high school seniors had reported using illegal drugs in the past month. It was clear that
after declines in youth drug use throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, drug use in the United States
had rebounded.
In response to these negative trends, the President announced the release of his Administration’s first
National Drug Control Strategy, a balanced approach to reducing drug use in America focusing on
stopping use before it starts, healing America’s drug users, and disrupting the market for illegal drugs.
The Strategy would pursue ambitious goals: a 10 percent reduction in youth drug use in 2 years and a
25 percent reduction in youth drug use over 5 years. As Figure 1 clearly demonstrates, the President’s
announcement marked a turning point. Results from the Monitoring the Future Study for calendar year
2002 would reveal a downturn in youth drug use after a decade in which rates of use had risen and
remained at high levels.
Drugs a Problem for crime
Drugs are correlated with crime in several different ways. First off, it is illegal to use,
possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs that have a potential for abuse such as cocaine,
heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines. Drugs are a problem for crime because the effects that
they have on the users behavior. As well as the violence that is generated by the users want to
get the drug as well as the competition in drug dealers and drug wars. Also the need for money
to obtain money for drugs leads to the abuser to committing a crime in order to buy their
drugs. Certain users and abusers will use violent behavior in order to get money to buy drugs.
In 2004 almost 30% of State prisoners committed a property offense in order to get money for
drugs. Also in 2004 nearly 15% of all Violent offenses were a direct result of abusers to trying
to get money for drugs. Furthermore, the percentage committed a crime for money for drugs
in 2002, State prisoners of 2004, and Federal prisoners in 2004 was 17%, , 17%, and 18%
respectively. As you can see the problem of the cost it takes to get drugs is causing abusers to
commit crime in order to buy drugs.
Drugs have a behavioral effect on people who tend to use and abuse drugs. Certain
drugs effect ones decision making and can generate hostility. Drug use and crime are a
characteristic of a deviant lifestyle. Because of the exposure and involvement illegal activity
will increase because drug users will more than likely not participate in the economy and are in
situations where crime is highly encouraged. As you can see from the chart the percent of
offenders being under the influence at the time of their arrest higher than expected. In 1987
36% of violent offenders were under the influence at the time of their arrest and 40% for
property offenses. It has decreased to 1991 but not much, 28% for violent offenders and 35%
for property offenders.
Proposition 36
The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act, also known as Proposition 36, was passed by
61% of California voters on November 7, 2000. This vote permanently changed state law to
allow first- and second-time nonviolent, simple drug possession offenders the opportunity to
receive substance abuse treatment instead of incarceration. Proposition 36 went into effect on
July 1, 2001, with $120 million for treatment services allocated annually for five years.
Over 36,000 Californians enter treatment each year through Prop 36.
By July 2006, when initial funding for the program ran out, over 150,000 people benefited from
Prop 36 treatment and California taxpayers saved about $1.3 billion. Requests for expanded
funding in 2006 were ignored, and again in 2007 Governor Schwarzenegger threatened to keep
funding at 2000 levels, which amounts to a significant cut.
The University of California at Los Angeles, which was chosen to run the required evaluation of
Proposition 36, has issued five annual reports on the implementation and impact of the program
since 2003. These reports provide data and analysis that will help state legislators determine the
future of the program. The latest report, released in April 2007, shows that Proposition 36
treatment is severely under-funded, and that this is affecting treatment quality. According to
researchers, the program needs at least $228.6 million to provide adequate treatment. UCLA’s
contract with the state has been extended, and researchers will continue to collect and analyze
data on the law and its impacts.
Requires probation and drug treatment program, not incarceration, for conviction of
possession, use, transportation for personal use or being under influence of controlled
substances and similar parole violations, not including sale or manufacture.
Permits additional probation conditions except incarceration.
Authorizes dismissal of charges when treatment completed, but requires disclosure of
arrest and conviction to law enforcement and for candidates, peace officers, licensure,
lottery contractors, jury service; prohibits using conviction to deny employment, benefits,
or license.