CRM 2313 Final Exam Study Notes PDF

CRM 2313 Final Exam Study Notes: Here’s a summary of the negative aspects of the "war on drugs" and arguments for better approaches, based on your notes: Negative Aspects of the War on Drugs: 1. Perpetuation of Harm: - The war on drugs fails to address underlying issues, instead exacerbating ha...

CRM 2313 Final Exam Study Notes: Here’s a summary of the negative aspects of the "war on drugs" and arguments for better approaches, based on your notes: Negative Aspects of the War on Drugs: 1. Perpetuation of Harm: - The war on drugs fails to address underlying issues, instead exacerbating harm to individuals and society. - It focuses on criminalization rather than public health, neglecting issues like HIV and hepatitis spread among drug users. 2. Economic and Political Motivations: - The crime control industry benefits financially, including law enforcement, the prison-industrial complex, and governments. - The war on drugs protects pharmaceutical, alcohol, and tobacco industries by eliminating competition from cheaper or more effective substances. 3. Racism and Social Inequality: - Drug laws have roots in racism and xenophobia, disproportionately targeting minorities. - Minorities face higher incarceration rates, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization. 4. Infringement on Civil Liberties: - The war justifies surveillance and control measures, infringing on individual rights and freedoms under the guise of fighting drug-related issues. 5. Propaganda and Misinformation: - Public opinion is manipulated through exaggerated claims about drug dangers (e.g., cannabis as a "gateway drug"). - Policies are influenced by myths rather than evidence, such as the disproven theory that marijuana use leads to heroin addiction. 6. Militarization and Violence: - The war on drugs militarizes law enforcement, leading to arms races with drug cartels and increasing violence in producer countries. - Communities in drug-producing regions bear the brunt of this violence. 7. Ineffectiveness of Punitive Measures: - Mandatory minimum sentences and harsh penalties do not reduce drug use or trafficking effectively. - Criminalizing drug users creates stigma, preventing them from seeking help and further marginalizing them. 8. Dehumanization of Drug Users and Sellers: - Policies treat drug users and sellers as enemies rather than individuals needing support or rehabilitation. Better Approaches to Drug Issues: 1. Shift to Public Health: - Address drug use as a public health issue, focusing on harm reduction strategies like safe consumption sites and drug substitution programs. - Provide mental health and addiction services to address underlying causes of drug dependency. 2. Decriminalization and Legalization: - Remove criminal penalties for drug possession (e.g., cannabis legalization in Canada) to reduce stigma and prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. - Decriminalization of other drugs, as seen in BC, allows for regulation and safer access to substances. 3. Education and Evidence-Based Policies: - Counter propaganda with scientific research and rational education on drugs and their effects. - Promote fact-based approaches, such as WHO findings debunking the "gateway drug" myth for cannabis. 4. Restorative Justice and Alternatives to Incarceration: - Emphasize restorative justice to repair harm and reintegrate offenders into society. - Expand drug treatment courts and community-based solutions rather than relying on incarceration. 5. Tackle Root Causes: - Focus on addressing social determinants of drug use, such as poverty, mental illness, and homelessness. - Recognize and combat the systemic racism inherent in drug laws and enforcement practices. 6. International and Policy Reform: - Reform international and domestic drug policies to prioritize health and human rights over punishment. - Challenge the criminal justice system's reliance on punitive measures and advocate for comprehensive harm reduction measures. 7. End the Criminalization of Marginalized Groups: - Stop targeting minorities disproportionately for drug offenses and focus on inclusive, compassionate strategies.