The War on Drugs

by Hudson, David L., Jr.; Marzilli, Alan

• ISBN13: 9781604137583
• ISBN10: 1604137584
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-06-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

The policies of the United States government regarding illegal drug use have created controversy for decades. Many Americans have long disagreed over the costs of illegal drug use, the best ways to combat its impact on society, and even whether the ôwarö is worth fighting anymore. This book provides historical context to the war on drugs and examines, among other related issues, three major sources of friction in the war: the disparity between criminal sentences for crack and powder cocaine offenses, a topic which the U.S. Congress has examined in detail for years; the move toward the use of more drug courts instead of traditional courts; and the legalization of marijuana, a drug many people believe should be regulated like alcohol.

Author Biography

David L. Hudson Jr. is a research attorney with the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. He has published widely on First Amendment and other constitutional law issues. Alan Marzilli, M.A., J.D., is a program associate with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. He works primarily on developing training and educational materials for agencies of the federal government.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 6
Introduction
An Overview of the War on Drugs	p. 11
Point
Drug Courts Reduce Crime, Cut Costs, and Save Lives	p. 19
Counterpoint
Drug Courts Do Not Work and Create Problems	p. 28
Point
The Sentencing Disparity Between Crack and Powder Cocaine Should Be Eliminated	p. 38
Counterpoint
Crack Cocaine Offenses Should Be Punished at a Higher Rate	p. 50
Point
Marijuana Should Be Legalized	p. 60
Counterpoint
Marijuana Is a Harmful, Illegal, and Addictive Drug	p. 70
Conclusion
The Future of the War on Drugs	p. 80
Appendix: Beginning Legal Research	p. 85
Elements of the Argument	p. 88
Notes	p. 90
Resources	p. 94
Picture Credits	p. 99
Index	p. 100
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

The policies of the United States government regarding illegal drug use have created controversy for decades. Policymakers have long disagreed over the costs of illegal drug use, the best ways to combat its impact on society, and even whether the war is worth fighting anymore. This new book provides historical context to the war on drugs and examines, among other related issues, three major sources of friction in the war: the disparity between criminal sentences for crack and powder cocaine offenses, a topic which the U.S. Congress has examined in detail for years; the move toward the use of more drug courts instead of traditional ones; and marijuana, a drug many people believe should be legalized and regulated like alcohol.