Assignment: Comparison of Forensic Settings
Department of Social Work, Walden University
SOCW 6500: Social Work Field
15:06:35 GMT -05:00
, Policy
Alternative
Academics and politicians have generated collections of research detailing the United States’
failure to correct the curse of drug use and address its consequences. From 1999 to 2000 the number of
prisoners who were incarcerated for drug offenses increased from about 41,000 to more than 458,000
(Curtin, 2000). It is argued that if we were to make drugs legal in a substantial way (that is, make them
available enough that the black market would be very substantially reduced), then the harm to society
would be reduced. The use of drugs would probably increase, but that the total harm to society would go
down (Curtin, 2000). A controlled distribution plan for legalized drugs could eliminate contaminated
drugs, end drug wars over territory, and substantially reduce crime related to drug distribution (Curtin,
2000). Moreover, such a system would save non-violent drug users from being stigmatized by criminal
conviction and would allow them to function at the workplace with either medication or counseling
(Curtin, 2000).
Necessary Changes
The federal Controlled Substances Act is grounded in federal commerce power and states
explicitly that any state law that is in positive conflict with the Act is preempted by federal law (King
County Bar Association, 2005). The Act includes the statement from Congress that drug abuse is a
national problem requiring federal control (King County Bar Association, 2005). Through ratification
of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, states have willingly incorporated their drug control laws
into the federal system of drug prohibition, applying their commerce power (King County Bar
Association,
2005). Legalizing drugs must occur at the state and federal level. They are not legal unless they are legal
on both state and federal level. If criminal sanctions remain at either the state or federal level drugs are
effectively not legalized. There has been no change in policy
Consistent with Social Work Values
Department of Social Work, Walden University
SOCW 6500: Social Work Field
15:06:35 GMT -05:00
, Policy
Alternative
Academics and politicians have generated collections of research detailing the United States’
failure to correct the curse of drug use and address its consequences. From 1999 to 2000 the number of
prisoners who were incarcerated for drug offenses increased from about 41,000 to more than 458,000
(Curtin, 2000). It is argued that if we were to make drugs legal in a substantial way (that is, make them
available enough that the black market would be very substantially reduced), then the harm to society
would be reduced. The use of drugs would probably increase, but that the total harm to society would go
down (Curtin, 2000). A controlled distribution plan for legalized drugs could eliminate contaminated
drugs, end drug wars over territory, and substantially reduce crime related to drug distribution (Curtin,
2000). Moreover, such a system would save non-violent drug users from being stigmatized by criminal
conviction and would allow them to function at the workplace with either medication or counseling
(Curtin, 2000).
Necessary Changes
The federal Controlled Substances Act is grounded in federal commerce power and states
explicitly that any state law that is in positive conflict with the Act is preempted by federal law (King
County Bar Association, 2005). The Act includes the statement from Congress that drug abuse is a
national problem requiring federal control (King County Bar Association, 2005). Through ratification
of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, states have willingly incorporated their drug control laws
into the federal system of drug prohibition, applying their commerce power (King County Bar
Association,
2005). Legalizing drugs must occur at the state and federal level. They are not legal unless they are legal
on both state and federal level. If criminal sanctions remain at either the state or federal level drugs are
effectively not legalized. There has been no change in policy
Consistent with Social Work Values
