war on drugs

Prohibition, the war on drugs, and efforts to control sexual behavior. Pick one of these movements and answer the following questions about that movement…

Paper instructions:
For laws to be considered legitimate, there must, in general, be a legitimate public interest (the benefits of passing this law outweigh the concerns of taking rights away from the populace). There were three movements in United States society that attempted to direct and control the behavior of individuals: Prohibition, the war on drugs, and efforts to control sexual behavior. Pick one of these movements and answer the following questions about that movement. Do you agree or disagree that society should be concerned about these behaviors as a matter of policy (should the government be involved in making and enforcing laws like these)? If so, explain why. What is the public interest? If not, explain why you think the government should not have interest in these behavior

War on Drugs

Order Description
The War on Drugs is extraordinarily expensive and has little effect on the inflow of illicit drugs. Drug-related corruption is rampant, simply because the huge sums of tainted money are too enticing. The consuming public seems determined to have their drugs, whether or not the government thinks they should. All of these factors seem to be a replication of the social conditions that existed at the height of the temperance movement of the 1800’s and early 1900’s. That failure of social policy let to Prohibition, against which those who wanted their liquor simply rebelled until the government finally capitulated and repealed Prohibition.

Discuss whether or not the same social conditions exist today regarding the use of drugs. Do you believe that the futility of trying to stop a determined consuming public and the diversion of monumental amounts of public funds from other essential programs (education and health care) mandate governmental capitulation yet again, this time in the form of the legalization of drug use. Please use research to support your opinion and remember to cite your research.

Two videos that may be used for this discussion could be:

Romulus police corruption charges
Duration: (2:19)
User: wxyztvdetroit – Added: 9/27/11
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jUjxYPESqk

and

Former Romulus Police Chief sentenced for role in corruption scandal
Duration: (2:37)
User: wxyztvdetroit – Added: 10/17/14
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIivzDd2lnw