Drug Trafficking Across the Border

¶ … Drug Trafficking Across the Border on Law Enforcement

Over the last several decades, the total amount of drug smuggling across the U.S. border has been increasing rapidly. Part of the reason for this, is because the United States is considered to be one of the most profitable markets in the world for illegal drugs. Evidence of this can be seen with the increasing amounts of competition in Mexico. As both Mexican and Columbian-based drug organizations, are competing for the lucrative West as well as East Coast markets. This is has caused the number of illegal drugs (crossing the border) to increase dramatically, as the gangs are shipping a wide variety of substances to include: Crystal Meth, Cocaine, Marijuana, Ecstasy and Heroine. ("Drug Trafficking," 2004) This is significant, because it shows how some kind of change needs to take place in the approach that is being used. To determine how this can be achieved requires: declaring the intended audience, creating an annotated bibliography and determining the thesis statement. Together, these different elements will focus the preliminary research, surrounding the various challenges associated with this continuing problem.

The Target Audience

The target audience will be: policymakers, educators, scholars, the general public, law enforcement and drug treatment advocates. These different groups were selected, because they play a vital role in supporting the idea that some kind of change needs to take place (when it comes to drug control policy). As they are having an impact upon how the issue is framed and what the debate will look like going forward. The reason why, is due to the fact that these groups are influential in the process of setting various policies and regulations going forward. As a result, these groups were selected, because discussing these issues with them will help to find a solution to address the problem. While not, creating adverse changes that could have a negative impact upon a select group of people. Once this takes place, it will ensure that any kind of policy that is implemented, will take these different views into account. This is significant, because it is showing how this kind of approach could be successful at addressing the underlying problem.

Annotated Bibliography

Drug Trafficking. (2004). Policy Almanac. Retrieved from: http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_trafficking.shtml

This source discusses the all of the different drugs that are being smuggled into: the United States and the total impact that it is having. Where, it citing various DEA statistics to underscore how the problem is starting to become worse. This is despite the fact that larger amounts of resources and focus have been placed on addressing these challenges. Yet, in spite all of the different strategies nothing seems to be effective, at slowing the total amount of illegal drugs. A good example of this can be seen with a DEA study that was conducted in 2001. They found that despite billions of dollars and an increasing focus on the problem (since the 1980's), the flow of illegal drugs has remained consistent. Evidence of this can be seen with Cocaine prices, where the DEA found that they have remained low and stable. This is troubling because, it means that in spite all of the different efforts to disrupt supplies; they have continued to remain strong. As a result, this is showing how the policy approach that has been taken is a failure, by not having any kind of effect on reducing the total amounts of Cocaine on the street (as the level of prices is an indication of this supply). The information from this source is useful, because it provides a total big picture view of the overall scope of the problem. This is important, because it can be used to establish how the current approach and policy are ineffective at addressing the underlying challenges.

Enforcement vs. Prevention. (2010). All About Addiction. Retrieved from: http://www.allaboutaddiction.com/addiction/enforcement-vs.-prevention-and-treatment-solving-our-addiction-problem-requires-all-three

This sources talks about how there is not an emphasis on drug treatment programs in the United States. As they point out how there is no vested interested in reaching out to addicts, because it is politically unpopular. Evidence of this can be seen with the fact that most major insurance companies refuse to cover any of the costs associated with someone going to a drug treatment facility. The information from this source is useful, because it highlighting how there is a lack of focus on this part of the problem. As a result, this can be used with previous sources to show how the government is taking an approach of interdiction (as far as the supply is concerned). While at the same time, they are placing little emphasis on providing effective treatment options for users.

Law Enforcement Officers. (2010). Drug Rehab. Retrieved from: http://www.drug-rehab.com/news/law-enforcement-officers-advocate-for-treatment-rather-than-prison-sentences-2087.php