War on Drug

War on Drug

  • Submitted By: yamara
  • Date Submitted: 06/06/2010 9:55 AM
  • Category: Social Issues
  • Words: 1814
  • Page: 8
  • Views: 2

Running head: WAR AGAINST WOMEN

The War on Drugs as a War against
Black Women
Rutgers University

Abstract
This paper explores the war on drugs and its effects on the African- American Female. The War on Drugs was implemented to curb the inflow of narcotics into the United States. The New York State Drug Laws have also affected individuals who are charged with drug-related activities. Americans have suffered due to the policies that were set in place. Black women however have been affected most. Black women are charged harshly and usually, the sentence is too extreme for the charge. Socioeconomic status has also played a huge role in how African American women are treated when arrested and arraigned for drug-related charges. Another important fact is that whereas the number of inmates imprisoned on drug charges has increased, the government has yet to curb the drug trade.

Drug trafficking and its effects have been a global concern for years. During the 1970s, President Richard Nixon officially began the War on Drugs. Nixon's claim that the abuse of illicit drugs is "pubic enemy number one" was not generally acknowledged at the time, and members of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse suggested that marijuana be legally recognized. Although technically beginning as early as the late 1800's, the United States' War on Drugs began in response to the increase in cocaine trafficking in the late 1980s and was introduced by former President Ronald Reagan. This campaign was implemented as a means of reining in the drug trade. Incarceration rates increased and attempts were made to stop drug smuggling. This war on drugs, although expensive has not been very effective in curbing the inflow of drugs to the country. Claire Suddath, in her Time magazine article, “The War on Drugs” writes, “It's a war without a clear enemy. Anything waged against a shapeless, intangible noun can never truly be won”. She also adds “despite the ad campaigns,...

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