"Drug abuse is a serious problem, both for individual citizens and society at large, but the 'war on drugs' has made matters worse."
             The prohibitionist approach to the war on drugs, just like the temperance movement of the 1830's on alcohol, is not effective and even counterproductive. There are three major problems with enforcing the prohibition laws in the current war on drugs that were also present during the temperance movement. Our government is trying to take an active role in limiting the sale and use of drugs in America, but the laws they enforce actually rebirth many of the same problematic outcomes that happened during the temperance movement. Making the drugs illegal has stimulated a black market. Today our streets are littered with criminals and felons breaking the drug laws. Since drugs cannot be eradicated from American society the nation's drug policy should shift it's focus and expenditures from prohibiting drug use to other important issues such as educational programs, supplying shelters for the homeless and protecting our environment. Lastly, just like in the 1830's, social segregation has become a problem again. Although African-Americans only account for about 14% of the drug users in America, they are the majority of the people convicted and imprisoned. It ridiculous that similar problems from the temperance movement are showing up again in the current war on drugs, but it is true and it is important to observe. Correcting our mistake is very complex and difficult, but public awareness on the issues is a start.
             The prohibition alcohol in the 1930's and drugs in the present has been counterproductive in the fact that it has stimulated a black market in both instances. During the temperance movement it was true that alcohol consumption dropped considerably shortly after prohibition took effect. Although
             ...