You are on page 1of 25

A proposal for a debate resolution on

Reducing Drug Abuse in the United States

Prepared for the 2008


National Debate Topic Selection Committee
National Federation of State High School Associations

Submitted by:
Kenneth Rohrbach
Three Rivers High School
Three Rivers, Texas

writing for
The University Interscholastic League

1
“Let us not forget who we are. Drug abuse is a
repudiation of everything America is.”
- Ronald Reagan

Abuse of illegal and prescription drugs has been a problem in the United States for well
over a century. Since 1906, the United States federal government has waged a war, of
sorts, on drug production, possession, and use in this country. This has been the longest
and most costly war in the history of our nation. Our government has spent countless
billions of dollars waging this war and has made little measurable progress. While gains
have been made in reducing drug use among teenagers, the gains have been minimal. At
the same time, abuse of prescription drugs has risen considerably. It is time for the
government of this nation to establish measurable goals for reducing drug use in this
country and then to set policies to achieve those goals.

In the history of national debate resolutions, neither illegal nor prescription drugs have
been debated. This topic is addressing a national problem that affects all communities in
this nation, regardless of size. Drugs are found in our schools and businesses. No sector
of society is immune to this problem. This topic needs to be debated

HISTORY OF U.S. DRUG POLICY


Prior to the twentieth century few restrictions were placed on drug trade and use. Opium
and cocaine flowed freely into the United States. Drug abuse was considered more a
public health problem than a criminal activity. Drugs such as opium and cocaine were
common in medicines. Opium, which affects the brain and spinal cord, had been a
painkiller and sedative for centuries. Opium and cocaine were also used to fight
depression, relieve chronic pain, serve as an anesthetic, settle intestinal disorders, and
relieve a variety of other afflictions. Cocaine was even used as an ingredient in wine and
Coca Cola. Other drugs were processed from opium, such as morphine, a major pain-
fighting drug for the wounded in the American Civil War (1861–65; war in the United
States between the Union [North], who was opposed to slavery, and the Confederacy
[South], who was in favor of slavery). Drugs derived from opium are called opiates. In
1898 a process to derive heroin from opium was discovered, becoming the most additive
opiate of all.1

1906 – Pure Food and Drug Act


Preventing the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or
poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs, medicines, and liquors, and for regulating traffic
therein, and for other purposes. Punishment included fines and prison time.

2
1909 – Smoking Opium Exclusion Act
Banned the importation, possession and use of “smoking opium”. Did not regulate
opium-based “medications”. First Federal law banning the non-medical use of a
substance.

1914 – The Harrison Act


In summary, The Harrison Act of 1914 was written more to have all parties involved in
importing, exporting, manufacturing and distributing opium or cocaine to register with
the Federal Government and have taxes levied upon them.

1919 – Supreme Court ratified the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act in Webb et al., v. United
States, holding that doctors may not prescribe maintenance supplies of narcotics to
people addicted to opioids.

1922 -- Narcotic Drug Import and Export Act


Enacted to assure proper control of importation, sale, possession, production and
consumption of narcotics.

1924 – Heroin Act


Prohibited manufacture, importation and possession of heroin illegal – even for medicinal
use.

1927 -- Bureau of Prohibition


The Bureau of Prohibition was responsible for tracking bootleggers and organized crime
leaders. They focused primarily on interstate and international cases and those cases
where local law enforcement official would not or could not act.

1932 -- Uniform State Narcotic Act


Encouraged states to pass uniform state laws matching the federal Narcotic Drug Import
and Export Act. Suggested prohibiting cannabis use at the state level.

1938 -- Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act


The new law brought cosmetics and medical devices under control, and it required that
drugs be labeled with adequate directions for safe use. Moreover, it mandated pre-market
approval of all new drugs, such that a manufacturer would have to prove to FDA that a
drug were safe before it could be sold

1951 -- Boggs Act


Imposed maximum criminal penalties for violations of the import/export and internal
revenue laws related to drugs and also established mandatory minimum prison sentences.

1956 -- Narcotics Control Act


Increased Boggs Act penalties and mandatory prison sentence minimums for violations
of existing drug laws.

3
1965 -- Drug Abuse Control Amendment
Enacted to deal with problems caused by abuse of depressants, stimulants and
hallucinogens. Restricted research into psychoactive drugs such as LSD by requiring
FDA approval.

1970 -- Controlled Substance Act


This law is a consolidation of numerous laws regulating the manufacture and distribution
of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used
in the illicit production of controlled substances. The CSA places all substances that are
regulated under existing federal law into one of five schedules. This placement is based
upon the substance’s medicinal value, harmfulness, and potential for abuse or addiction.
Schedule I is reserved for the most dangerous drugs that have no recognized medical use,
while ScheduleV is the classification used for the least dangerous drugs. The act also
provides a mechanism for substances to be controlled, added to a schedule, decontrolled,
removed from control, rescheduled, or transferred from one schedule to another.

1973 – Drug Enforcement Agency


By Executive Order, the DEA was formed to take place of the Bureau of Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs.

1973 – Methadone Control Act


Establishes Federally funded clinics for prevention and treatment. Regulates licensing for
dispensing methadone.

1986 -- Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986


Strengthened Federal efforts to encourage foreign cooperation in eradicating illicit drug
crops and in halting international drug traffic, to improve enforcement of Federal drug
laws and enhance interdiction of illicit drug shipments, to provide strong Federal
leadership in establishing effective drug abuse prevention and education programs, to
expand Federal support for drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation efforts, and for other
purposes. It also re-imposed mandatory sentencing minimums depending on which drug
and how much was involved.

1988 -- Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988


Established the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in the Executive Office
of the President; authorized funds for Federal, state and local drug enforcement activities,
school-based drug prevention efforts, and drug abuse treatment with special emphasis on
injecting drug abusers at high risk for AIDS.

2000: Federal – The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000)
It enables qualified physicians to prescribe and/or dispense narcotics for the purpose of
treating opioid dependency. For the first time, physicians are able to treat this disease
from their private offices or other clinical settings. This presents a very desirable
treatment option for those who are unwilling or unable to seek help in drug treatment
clinics. Patients can now be treated in the privacy of their doctor’s office, as are other
people being treated for any other type of medical condition. One medicine doctors may

4
now prescribe is Buprenorphine. The major downfall of this Act is the limitation of 30
patients per practice – which means that large facilities, no matter how many physicians
are there, can only treat 30 patients at a time.

2004: June 2004 The Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records
Regulation and the HIPAA Privacy Rule

2005: 08-02-2005 Public law 109-56, Amends the Controlled Substances Act to
eliminate the 30-patient limit for medical group practices allowed to dispense narcotic
drugs in schedules III, IV, or V for maintenance or detoxification treatment (retains the
30-patient limit for an individual physician). This amendment removes the 30-patient
limit on group medical practices that treat opioid dependence with buprenorphine. The
restriction was part of the original Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA) that
allowed treatment of opioid dependence in a doctor’s office. With this change, every
certified doctor may now prescribe buprenorphine up to his or her individual physician
limit of 30 patients.2

CURRENT STATUS
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is the largest indicator of drug
use trends in the United States and provides yearly national and State level estimates of
alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and non-medical prescription drug use. Each year, the
NSDUH surveys approximately 67,500 people, including residents of households, non-
institutionalized group quarters, and civilians living on military bases.

According to the latest NSDUH, an estimated 20.4 million (8.3%) Americans aged 12
and older are current users of an illicit drug. Although there are still too many people
using drugs, current drug use is roughly half of what it was at its peak in 1979 (14%).
Below are some highlights from the 2006 NSDUH report:

Sustained Declines in Youth Drug Use

• The rate of adolescents ages 12 to 17 reporting drug use in the past month
dropped from 11.6 percent in 2002 to 9.8 percent in 2006. This level sustains
declines achieved in 2005 (9.9 percent).
• The level of current marijuana use among youth ages 12 to 17 declined
significantly, from 8.2 percent in 2002 to 6.7 percent in 2006. The decline in
marijuana use was particularly pronounced in adolescent males (a 25% decline
between 2002-2006)

High Drug Use Among “Baby Boomers” Continue

• High drug use rates from the peak years of the “counter culture” are still echoed
in the relatively high drug use patterns of those same initiates from the 1970’s
who are now older.

5
• There is a striking rise in the drug use rates of those in the age category 50-54,
which shot up a stunning 76 percent between 2002 and 2006 (from 3.4 percent to
6.0 percent). This rise does not represent new drug initiation at advancing age;
rather, the use is predominantly of marijuana, likely acquired as a habit in their
youth and carried along as baggage through their life cycle.

Prescription Drug Abuse Remains a Serious Concern

• In 2006, there were 2.6 million past year initiates of the non-medical use of
prescription-type drugs. Among this category of illicit drug use, the number of
past year initiates of the non-medical use of pain relievers (2.2 million) equaled
that of marijuana (2.1. million).
• Past month non-medical use of pain relievers among the population 12 and older
increased 11 percent between 2002 and 2006 (from 1.9% to 2.1%). This increase
was driven by a 20 percent increase among 18 to 25 year olds (from 4.1% to
4.9%). Among this subpopulation, the non-medical use of psychotherapeutics
overall increased between 2002 and 2006 – from 5.4 to 6.4 percent, as did the
non-medical use of tranquilizers during the same time period (from 1.6% to
2.0%).

Millions of Americans are in Need of Drug Treatment Services

• In 2006, there were an estimated 7.0 million people classified with dependence on
or abuse of illicit drugs (with or without alcohol). The specific illicit drugs that
had the highest levels of past year dependence or abuse in 2006 were marijuana
(4.2 million), followed by cocaine (1.7 million), and pain relievers (1.6 million).
• Of those people who were dependent on or abusive of illicit drugs, 59% were
dependent on or abusive of marijuana.3

PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT U.S. DRUG


POLICY
United States drug policy currently focuses mainly on interdiction and incarceration, but
does little in the way of treatment and rehabilitation. The current approach is
staggeringly expensive, with the United States spending $35 billion per year to fund the
policy. Revising current drug policy may be an interesting approach to this topic.

In their book An Analytic Assessment of U.S. Drug Policy, David Boyum and Peter
Reuter state that “in its efforts to control the use of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other
illegal drugs, the United States spends about $35 billion per year in public funds. Almost
half a million dealers and users are under incarceration. America’s drug problem is
mainly a legacy of the epidemics of heroin, cocaine, and crack use during the 1970’s and
1980’s, which left us with aging cohorts of criminally active and increasingly sick users.
Newer drugs, such as Ecstasy and methamphetamine, perennially threaten to become
comparable problems, but so far have not. Drug policy has become increasingly punitive,

6
with the number of drug offenders in jail and prison growing tenfold between 1980 and
2003. Nevertheless, there is strikingly little evidence that tougher law enforcement can
materially reduce drug use. By contrast, drug treatment services remain in short supply,
even though research indicates that treatment expenditures easily pay for themselves in
terms of reduced crime and improved productivity. America’s drug policy should be
reoriented in several ways to be more effective. Enforcement should focus on reducing
drug-related problems, such as violence associated with drug markets, rather than on
locking up large numbers of low-level dealers. Treatment services for heavy users,
particularly methadone and other opiate maintenance therapies, need more money and
fewer regulations. And programs that coerce convicted drug addicts to enter treatment
and maintain abstinence as a condition of continued freedom should be expanded.”4

Senate Joint Economic Committee's hearing on "Illegal Drugs: Economic Impact,


Societal Costs, Policy Reponses”, held on June 19, 2008

In addition to the drug supply remaining constant, the incarceration epidemic has failed to
curb illegal drug use while also "devastating our minority communities." Senator Webb
said, "the number of persons in custody on drug charges increased thirteen times in the
past 25 years...[And] when it comes to incarceration for drug offenses, the racial
disparities are truly alarming. Although African Americans constitute 14 percent of
regular drug users, they are 37 percent of those arrested for drug offenses, and 56 percent
of persons in state prisons for drug crimes...Our current combination of enforcement,
diversion, interdiction, treatment and prevention is not working the way we need it
to...There has been little effort to take a comprehensive look at the relationship between
the many interlocking pieces of drug policy."5

First Assistant District Attorney Anne Swern--a prosecutor at the King County
(Brooklyn) District Attorney's Office--spoke of two innovative prosecutor-run programs
that "seek to reduce drug abuse, improve public safety, and save money." The Drug
Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (DTAP) program diverts addicted offenders into long-
term community-based substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration. The
Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together (ComALERT) focuses on
recidivism reduction through re-entry programs for former inmates returning to Brooklyn
communities. A five-year study on DTAP by the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse at Columbia University revealed that DTAP graduates had rearrest rates
that were 33 percent lower, reconviction rates 45 percent lower and were 87 percent less
likely to return to prison two years after completing the program than the control group
two years after leaving prison. And the cost comparison? $32,975 on average for the
DTAP participant, and $64,338 if that same person had been sent to prison. Swern noted
that New York taxpayers currently pay over $2.5 billion annually to maintain prison
operations. "While community-based treatment and other wraparound social services
carry a price tag their cost is much less than that of incarceration in prison, especially
when one considers the effectiveness of diversion and re-entry programs at reducing
recidivism," she said. "These programs deserve to be replicated in jurisdictions around
the country, and Congress should ensure that adequate funding is appropriated for that
goal."6

7
MAGNITUDE OF DRUG ABUSE IN U.S.
Substance Abuse is Costly

Substance abuse costs our nation more than $484 billion per year, compared to diabetes,
which costs society $131.7 billion annually and cancer, which costs society $171.6
billion annually.7

This includes health care expenditures, lost earnings, and costs associated with crime and
accidents. This is an enormous burden that affects all of society - those who abuse these
substances, and those who don't.

Major Public Health Problem8

Americans perceive drug abuse as a major public health problem. Many of America's top
medical problems can be directly linked to drug abuse:

• Cancer: Tobacco contributes to 11-30% of cancer deaths.


• Heart Disease: Researchers have found a connection between the abuse of
tobacco, cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamines, and steroids and the
development of cardiovascular diseases. Tobacco is responsible for
approximately 30% of all heart disease deaths each year.
• HIV/AIDS: Approximately one-third of AIDS cases reported in 2000 (11,635)
and most cases of hepatitis C (approximately 25,000 in 2001) in the United
States are associated with injection drug use.
Approximately half of pediatric AIDS cases (4,700 reported through 2002) result from
injection drug use or sex with injection drug users by the child's mother.

Many of America's top social problems also relate to or


impact drug abuse:
• Drugged Driving: The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration estimates that drugs are used by approximately 10 to 22
percent of drivers involved in crashes, often in combination with alcohol.

8
• Violence: At least half of the individuals arrested for major crimes including
homicide, theft, and assault were under the influence of illicit drugs around the
time of their arrest.
• Stress: Exposure to stress is one of the most powerful triggers of substance
abuse in vulnerable individuals and of relapse in former addicts.
• Child Abuse: At least two-thirds of patients in drug abuse treatment centers
say they were physically or sexually abused as children.

Drug Abuse Affects Us All9

Drug abuse affects all aspects of communities across America.

• Homelessness: 31% of America's homeless suffer from drug abuse or


alcoholism.
• Crime: As many as 60% of adults in Federal prisons are there for drug-related
crimes.
• Education: Children with prenatal cocaine exposure are more likely (1.5
times) to need special education services in school. Special education costs for
this population are estimated at $23 million per year.
• The Workplace: In 1997, illicit drug users were more likely than others to
have missed 2 or more days of work in the past month and to have worked for
three or more employers in the past year.

FACTS & FIGURES


Below is information gathered from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and other
sources which detail facts and figures on cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and prescription
drugs. These are certainly not all of the drugs which are abused in this country. This is
simply a sampling of the extent of abuse and the effects of the drug use.

Cocaine

Cocaine is the most potent stimulant of natural origin.10 This substance can be snorted,
smoked, or injected. When snorted, cocaine powder is inhaled through the nose where it
is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. When injected, the user uses a
needle to release the drug directly into the bloodstream. Smoking involves inhaling
cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs where absorption into the bloodstream is as rapid
as by injection. Each of these methods of administration poses great risks to the user.11
Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant. Physical effects of cocaine use
include constricted blood vessels and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood
pressure. Users may also experience feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety.
Evidence suggests that users who smoke or inject cocaine may be at even greater risk of
causing harm to themselves than those who snort the substance. For example, cocaine

9
smokers also suffer from acute respiratory problems including coughing, shortness of
breath, and severe chest pains with lung trauma and bleeding. A user who injects cocaine
is at risk of transmitting or acquiring diseases if needles or other injection equipment are
shared. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug and compulsive cocaine use seems to
develop more rapidly when the substance is smoked rather than snorted. A tolerance to
the cocaine high may be developed and many addicts report that they fail to achieve as
much pleasure as they did from their first cocaine exposure.12

Percent of Students Reporting Cocaine Use, 2006–2007

8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade


2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
Past month 1.0% 0.9% 1.5% 1.3% 2.5% 2.0%
Past year 2.0 2.0 3.2 3.4 5.7 5.2
Lifetime 3.4 3.1 4.8 5.3 8.5 7.8

Percent of College Students/Young Adults Reporting Cocaine Use, 2005–2006

College Students Young Adults


2005 2006 2005 2006
Past month 1.8% 1.8% 2.2% 2.3%
Past year 5.7 5.1 6.9 6.6
Lifetime 8.8 7.7 14.3 15.2

Crack

Approximately 100 years after cocaine entered into use, a new variation of the substance
emerged. This substance, crack, became enormously popular in the mid-1980s due in part
to its almost immediate high and the fact that it is inexpensive to produce and buy.13
Crack is cocaine that has not been neutralized by an acid to make the hydrochlorida salt.
This form of cocaine comes in a rock crystal that can be heated and its vapors smoked.
The term "crack" comes from the crackling sound made when it is heated.14 According
to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 8.6
million Americans aged 12 or older reported trying crack cocaine at least once during
their lifetimes, representing 3.5% of the population aged 12 or older. Additional 2006
NSDUH data indicate that approximately 1.5 million (0.6%) reported past year crack
cocaine use and 702,000 (0.3%) reported past month crack cocaine use. The 2006
NSDUH results also indicate that there were 245,000 persons aged 12 or older who had
used crack cocaine for the first time within the past 12 months.15 Results of the 2007
Monitoring the Future survey indicate that 2.1% of eighth graders, 2.3% of tenth graders,
and 3.2% of twelfth graders reported lifetime use of crack cocaine. In 2006, these
percentages were 2.3%, 2.2%, and 3.5%, respectively.16

10
Percent of Students Reporting Crack Cocaine Use, 2006–2007

8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade


2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
Past month 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.5% 0.9% 0.9%
Past year 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 2.1 1.9
Lifetime 2.3 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.5 3.2

Percent of College Students/Young Adults Reporting Crack Use, 2004–2005

College Students Young Adults


2004 2005 2004 2005
Past month 0.4% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3%
Past year 1.3 0.8 1.3 1.2
Lifetime 2.0 1.7 4.2 4.1

Marijuana

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and
flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana
and other drugs made from the same plant. Other forms of cannabis include sinsemilla,
hashish, and hash oil. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs. The
main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Short-term
effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning, distorted
perception, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination, increased
heart rate, and anxiety. Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (called a joint) or in a
pipe or bong. Marijuana has also appeared in blunts, which are cigars that have been
emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana, sometimes in combination with another
drug, such as crack. It can also be mixed into foods or used to brew a tea.17 Marijuana is
the most commonly used illicit drug. According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug
Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 97.8 million Americans aged 12 or older tried
marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, representing 39.8% of the U.S. population in
that age group. The number of past year marijuana users in 2006 was approximately 25.4
million (10.3% of the population aged 12 or older) and the number of past month
marijuana users was 14.8 million (6.0%).18 Marijuana abuse is associated with many
detrimental health effects. These effects can include frequent respiratory infections,
impaired memory and learning, increased heart rate, anxiety, panic attacks and tolerance.
Marijuana meets the criteria for an addictive drug and animal studies suggest marijuana
causes physical dependence and some people report withdrawal symptoms.19

11
Percent of Students Reporting Marijuana Use, 2006–2007

8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade


2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
Past month 6.5% 5.7% 14.2% 14.2% 18.3% 18.8%
Past year 11.7 10.3 25.2 24.6 31.5 31.7
Lifetime 15.7 14.2 31.8 31.0 42.3 41.8

Percent of College Students/Young Adults Using Marijuana, 2005–2006

College Students Young Adults


2005 2006 2005 2006
Past month 17.1% 16.7% 15.8% 15.7%
Past year 33.3 30.2 28.2 27.7
Lifetime 49.1 46.9 57.0 57.6

Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive drug and is the most widely abused and most rapidly acting
of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance
extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants.20 Pure heroin, which is a
white powder with a bitter taste, is rarely sold on the streets. Most illicit heroin is a
powder varying in color from white to dark brown. The differences in color are due to
impurities left from the manufacturing process or the presence of additives. Another form
of heroin, "black tar" heroin, is primarily available in the western and southwestern U.S.
This heroin, which is produced in Mexico, may be sticky like roofing tar or hard like
coal, with its color varying from dark brown to black.21 Heroin can be injected, smoked,
or sniffed/snorted. Injection is the most efficient way to administer low-purity heroin.
The availability of high-purity heroin, however, and the fear of infection by sharing
needles has made snorting and smoking the drug more common. National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA) researchers have confirmed that all forms of heroin administration
are addictive. 22 The short-term effects of heroin abuse appear soon after taking the drug.
Intravenous injection provides the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of the initial
rush that users experience. Intravenous users typically experience the rush within 7 to 8
seconds after injection, while intramuscular injection produces a slower onset of this
euphoric feeling, taking 5 to 8 minutes. When heroin is sniffed or smoked, the peak
effects of the drug are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes.23 One of the most significant
effects of heroin use is addiction. With regular heroin use, tolerance to the drug develops.
Once this happens, the abuser must use more heroin to achieve the same intensity or
effect that they are seeking. As higher doses of the drug are used over time, physical
dependence and addiction to the drug develop.24

12
Percent of Students Reporting Lifetime Heroin Use, 2001-2005

2001 2003 2005


9th grade 3.2% 3.5% 2.8%
10th grade 3.3 2.9 2.5
11th grade 2.8 3.0 1.8
12th grade 3.0 2.9 2.0
Total 3.1 3.3 2.4

Prescription Drugs

The non-medical use or abuse of prescription drugs remains a serious public health
concern. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) research report
Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction, there are three classes of prescription drugs
that are most commonly abused:25

• opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain—examples include:


codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), and morphine (Kadian and
Avinza);
• central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and
sleep disorders—examples include: barbiturates (Mebaral and Nembutal) and
benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax);
• stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy, attention-
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity—examples include:
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and
Concerta).

Many Americans benefit from the appropriate use of prescription pain killers, but, when
abused, they can be as addictive and dangerous as illegal drugs. Prescription drugs should
only be taken exactly as directed by a medical professional.

The Synthetic Drug Control Strategy addresses the extent of and problems associated
with prescription drug abuse. Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly
abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin,
methamphetamine, and other drugs. Prescription drug abuse poses a unique challenge
because of the need to balance prevention, education, and enforcement, with the need for
legitimate access to controlled substance prescription drugs.26 Data from the National
Drug Intelligence Center's 2006 National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) reveal that 78.8%
of state and local law enforcement agencies reported either high or moderate availability
of illegally diverted pharmaceuticals.27 According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug
Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 49.8 million Americans aged 12 or older
reported non-medical use of any psychotherapeutic at some point in their lifetimes,
representing 20.3% of the population aged 12 or older. Nearly 7 million Americans aged
12 or older reported current (past month) use of psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical
purposes, representing 2.8% of the population. In this report, psychotherapeutics include

13
any prescription-type pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative but do not include
over-the-counter drugs.28

Number of Admissions for Prescription-Type Substances, 2004-2006

Drug 2004 2005 2006


Other opiates/synthetics 64,682 68,942 74,750
Non-Rx methadone 3,371 3,885 4,346
Other opiates/ 61,311 65,057 70,404
synthetics
Tranquilizers 8,804 8,170 8,011
Benzodiazepine 8,101 7,637 7,536
Other tranquilizers 703 533 475
Sedatives/hypnotics 4,479 4,401 3,866
Barbiturates 1,348 1,362 989
Other sedatives/ 3,131 3,039 2,877
hypnotics
Total all drugs 1,892,154 1,861,209 1,800,717

14
POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS
1. The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially reducing
drug abuse in the United States.

2. The United States federal government should substantially reduce drug abuse in the
United States.

3. The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially


decreasing the demand for illegal/illicit drugs in the United States.

4. The United States federal government should substantially reform U.S. drug policy.

5. The United States federal government should substantially strengthen prescription


drug policies.

TIMELINESS
Even though this topic will be debated well over a year from now, the demand for
illegal/illicit drugs will continue to be a problem at that time. The United States has been
trying to solve this problem for well over one hundred years; it will not be solved for in
the next year and a half. Drug abuse is a significant problem in this country and, even
though efforts at the national level have been stepped up, drug abuse will continue to be a
problem for years to come.

SCOPE
Drug use is a problem nationwide and affects people of all races, income levels, and age.
It is particularly a problem among school-age and college-age individuals and is found on
every school campus across this country. Drug abuse is also a problem among
indigenous people of this country, particularly among those living on government
reservations. Drug abuse affects most people in this nation in some form, whether
abusing drugs themselves or knowing someone who does or has.

QUALITY
This topic is of high importance nationwide and is one that students are exposed to at
school, on the streets, and for some, at home. This is a topic that needs to be debated. I
am hopeful that by adopting this topic at a national level, efforts to reduce drug abuse and
drug supply and demand in America’s high schools will stepped up significantly.

15
MATERIAL
Volumes of material exist on this topic as well as thousands of websites, including
websites of the federal government. Thousands of studies have been conducted
nationwide and a wealth of data and statistics are available on this topic.

Concern will certainly be expressed over school filters on the internet in relation to this
topic. It has been my experience in researching this topic that, for the most part, all
government sites as well as legitimate agency sites dealing with this topic are generally
accessible. Those sites which have not been accessible are those posted by groups who
are generally in favor of the legalization of certain drugs or advocate the use of certain
illegal/illicit drugs. Information on this topic is readily available on the internet and
students should have little problem accessing legitimate sites.

INTEREST
Because this topic is a nationwide problem that we are all exposed to on a daily basis on
the news and, for some of us, in dealing with students, the topic will certainly be of
interest to students, coaches, and judges.

RESEARCH AND ACCESS


There is a great deal of literature available on drug abuse and drug use. A Google search
of drug abuse shows 19,200,000 hits. Barnes and Noble has 2,616 books available on the
topic. The Office of National Drug Control Policy has near Cabinet-level recognition, as
its director is considered the nations “Drug Czar” and coordinates all aspects of federal
drug control and spending.

Google Hits (As of April 25, 2008)

“drug abuse” – 19,200,000


“drug demand” – 766,000
“drug policy” – 12,300,000
“drug + welfare” – 803,000
“student drug testing” – 542,000
“drug use” – 21,900,000
“drug rehab” – 5,560,000
“drug courts” – 450,000
“drugs + culture” – 4,530,000
“drugs + economy” – 727,000
“drug control” – 12,400,000

16
Lexis-Nexis Hits (As of April 25, 2008)

“United States drug abuse” – 996


“United States drug policy” – 997
“drug abuse” – 997
“drug demand” – 987
“drug + welfare” – 987
“drugs + economy” – 999
“drug rehab” – 983
“drug control” – 991

Useful Online Resources

United States Office of National Drug Control Policy Website – www.ondcp.gov


National Council for Prescription Drug Programs Website – www.ncpdp.org
American Council for Drug Education Website – www.acde.org
United States Bureau of Justice Statistics Website – www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Website – www.cadca.org
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Website – www.dare.com
United States Drug Enforcement Agency Website – www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm
United States Department of Health Indian Health Services Website – www.ihs.gov
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Website – www.madd.org
National Student Drug Testing Committee Website – www.studentdrugtesting.org
United States Dept. of Education Safe and Drug Free Schools Website –
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/index.html?src=mr

BALANCE
POSSIBLE AFFIRMATIVE CASE AREAS

a. Student Drug Testing


b. Welfare Recipient Drug Testing
c. Reducing the non-medical use of prescription drugs
d. Workplace Drug Testing
e. Expanding Drug Courts
f. Media Campaigns
g. Drug Free Communities program
h. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program
i. Major Cities Initiative
j. Access to Recovery (ATR) program
k. Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment
(SBIRT) program
l. Targeting methamphetamine
m. Focus on young people – education

17
n. Revision of US prescription drug policy
o. Reform US drug policy with increased penalties for
drug possession and/or use
p. Target any particular drug
q. Reducing drug use among indigenous peoples

LARGELY NON-TOPICAL CASE AREAS

I do feel that some case areas are generally non-topical. Since the proposed resolutions
all deal with either drug abuse or drug demand in the United States, plans which cut the
supply of drugs, either through crop eradication or drug trade interdiction would be non-
topical due to the fact that disrupting the supply will most likely neither reduce drug
abuse or drug demand in this country. Examples of non-topical case areas include market
disruption, eradicating domestic marijuana crops, transit zone interdiction, and securing
the Southwest border.

NEGATIVE GROUND

Case Arguments

A variety of case-based arguments can be run by negative teams. For example, a great
deal of research is available that says that student drug testing does nothing to fix the
problem of drug abuse among teenagers. Also, much research exists that shows that no
matter how the prescription drug policies of this country are revised, the problem of
prescription drug abuse can never be solved for. Negative teams will be able to argue
that penalties for drug possession have not worked to date and will not work in the future
– drug abuse among prisoners is higher than those who are not in prison. Finally,
negative teams will be able to produce evidence that drug use is a part of our culture and
that those who wish to use drugs will always find a way to do so, regardless of
government policy. Solvency will certainly be debated.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages to decreasing drug abuse or drug demand in the United States will mostly
arise from the fact that implementing any plan under this resolution will be costly and
will stretch to the breaking point an already strained federal budget. This will lead to a
debate over cost-benefit analysis. In addition, a terrorism disadvantage might explore the
idea that decreasing the demand for drugs in this country will lead to increased terrorism
as retaliation for reducing drug sales which help to fund terror groups. Another possible
disadvantage is a poverty DA which states that mandatory drug testing of welfare
recipients will result in those who are most needy not receiving the welfare support that
they need, which will lead to increased poverty. Other possible disadvantages include
gang activity, civil disorder, politics, and spending.

18
Counterplans

Counterplan ground under the proposed resolutions will mostly deal with changing the
agent of action. Much evidence exists which shows that various NGO’s are doing an
excellent job in the area of drug counseling and treatment. The negative will be able to
run a counterplan in which certain NGO’s provide treatment and counseling rather than
the government. Another counterplan would stress that the various states are more
adequately able to carry out the affirmative plan than is the federal government. Yet
another counterplan could say that drug abuse cannot be completely solved for and a
program, such as one which provides clean syringes to drug addicts, thus reducing
transmission of HIV/AIDS, is a better plan.

Kritiks

A few of the possible kritiks under the proposed resolutions include Biopower, Statism,
Zizek, “Don’t say _____” (e.g. “addict”), Authority, and Civil Disobedience.

DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS


“Drug Abuse”

drug abuse – n. 1. addiction to drugs. 2. substance abuse involving drugs.


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

drug abuse – n. the use of a drug or drugs for purposes other than those for which they
are prescribed or recommended, involving a pathologic pattern of behavior.
Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary.

drug abuse – n. habitual use of drugs not needed for therapeutic purposes, such as solely
to alter one's mood, affect, or state of consciousness, or to affect a body function
unnecessarily (as in laxative abuse); nontherapeutic use of drugs.
Stedman’s Online Medical Dictionary, 27th Edition

drug abuse – n. use of a drug for a reason other than which it was intended or in a
manner or in quantities other than directed. Drug dependence is a compulsion to take a
drug to produce a desired effect or prevent unpleasant effects when the drug is withheld.
Risk factors for drug abuse include: low self esteem, inability to deal with stress and
emotional instability. Juveniles use drugs due to peer pressure. Signs of drug use in
children include: a change in friends or group, long absences from home, poor
performance in school, seclusion, stealing, lying, criminal behaviour, deteriorating family
relationships, signs of drug intoxication and changes in behaviour. Commonly abused
drugs include narcotic analgesic agents, benzodiazepines, cocaine, amphetamines,
barbiturates, marijuana, LSD and phencyclidine. Many labs now offer quick and
inexpensive urine drug screening. Psychological counseling and parental support will be
necessary in children with this problem.
Biology Online, October 2005.

19
drug abuse – n. Compulsive, excessive, and self-damaging use of habit forming drugs
or substances, leading to addiction or dependence, serious physiological injury (such as
damage to kidneys, liver, heart) and/or psychological harm (such as dysfunctional
behavior patterns, hallucinations, memory loss), or death. Also called substance abuse.
Business Dictionary.com

“Substance Abuse”

substance abuse – n. long-term, pathological use of alcohol or drugs, characterized by


daily intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and impairment in social or
occupational functioning; broadly, alcohol or drug addiction. Dictionary.com
Unabridged (v 1.1)

substance abuse – n. The overindulgence in and dependence on an addictive substance,


especially alcohol or a narcotic drug. American Heritage Dictionary.

substance abuse – n. excessive use of drugs. WordNet.

substance abuse – n. Excessive use of a potentially addictive substance, especially one


that may modify body functions, such as alcohol and drugs. American Heritage
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary.

substance abuse – n. The maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically


significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following
occurring within a 12-month period: recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to
fulfill major role obligations; recurrent substance use in situations in which it is
physically hazardous; recurrent substance-related legal problems; and continued
substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems
caused by or exacerbated by the effects of the substance. DSM-IV (Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

“Addiction”

addiction – n. the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is


psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its
cessation causes severe trauma. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

addiction – n. compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming


substance. American Heritage Dictionary.

addiction – n. being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is


psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs).
WordNet.

addiction – n. A physical or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, such as a


drug or alcohol. In physical addiction, the body adapts to the substance being used and

20
gradually requires increased amounts to reproduce the effects originally produced by
smaller doses. The American Heritage Science Dictionary.

addiction – n. compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance


(as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined
physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a
substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful.
Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary.

addiction – n. compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug (as heroin).


Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law.

“Reform”

reform – n. 1. the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt,


unsatisfactory, etc.; 2. v. to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration,
substitution, abolition, etc.; Dictionary.com Unabridged (v. 1.1)

reform – tr. v. To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put


into a better form or condition. American Heritage Dictionary.

reform – v. To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into


a better form or condition.

“Substantially”

substantially – adv. 1 to a great or significant extent. 2 for the most part; essentially.
Compact Oxford English Dictionary

substantially – adv. to a large degree


Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

substantially – adv. considerably: in an extensive, substantial, or ample way

NOTE: definitions for the word “substantially” are countless and definitions can be
found which state that in order to be substantial, the amount in question must be
anywhere from 5% to 99%.

“Establish”

establish – v. 1 set up on a firm or permanent basis. 2 initiate or bring about.


Compact Oxford English Dictionary.

establish – tr. v. 1: to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement. 3


a: to make firm or stable. 4 a: to bring into existence. 5 a: to put on a firm basis.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

21
establish – tr. v. to start (something that will last for a long time), or to create or set
(something) in a particular way.
Cambridge Dictionary of American English

“Illicit”

illicit – adj. forbidden by law, rules, or custom.


Compact Oxford English Dictionary.

illicit – adj. not permitted : UNLAWFUL


Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

illicit – adj. illegal or disapproved of by society


Cambridge International Dictionary of English

illicit – adj. 1. Not sanctioned by custom or law; unlawful. 2. Linguistics Improperly


formed; ungrammatical.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

illicit – adj. 1. not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful. 2.


disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons.
Dictionary.com (v 1.1)

“Policy”

policy – n. 2 a: a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives


and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions. b: a
high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially
of a governmental body.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

policy – n. a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been
agreed officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government or a
political party
Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

policy – n. 1. a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.
2. a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

policy – n. 1. a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or


individual. 2. archaic prudent or expedient conduct or action.
Compact Oxford English Dictionary

22
“Illegal”

illegal – adj. contrary to or forbidden by law.


Compact Oxford English Dictionary

illegal – adj. not according to or authorized by law


Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

illegal – adj. against the law; not allowed by law


Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

“Demand”

demand – n. the desire of purchasers or consumers for a particular commodity or


service. v. require; need.
Compact Oxford English Dictionary

demand – n. a: willingness and ability to purchase a commodity or service <the demand


for quality day care> b: the quantity of a commodity or service wanted at a specified
price and time <supply and demand>
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

demand – n. the state of being wanted or sought for purchase or use.


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

demand – tr. v. to need or require. n. 1. the state of being requested or sought after. 2.
in economics, the desire of consumers for goods or services.
The Wordsmyth English Dictionary-Thesaurus

“Supply”

supply – v. 1 make (something needed) available to someone. 2 provide with something


needed. 3 be adequate to satisfy (a requirement or demand).
Compact Oxford English Dictionary

supply – tr. v. a: to provide for b: to make available for use c: to satisfy the needs or
wishes of
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

supply – n. an amount of something that is available for use


Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

supply – tr. v. 1. To make available for use; provide. 2. To furnish or equip with. n. 1.
The act of supplying. 2. Something that is or can be supplied. 3. An amount available or
sufficient for a given use; stock.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

23
“Reducing”

reducing – tr. v. to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number


Merriam-Websters Online Dictionary, 10th Edition

reducing (reduce) – v. to make something smaller in size, amount, degree, importance,


etc.
Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

reducing – tr. v. to make (something) less in size, amount, degree, importance, or price
Cambridge Dictionary of American English

“Illegal Drug”

illegal drug - There are many illegal drugs that are being abused by our society today.
Drugs such as marijuana, meth, and the abuse of prescription medications are on the rise.
It is important for everyone to raise their level of awareness in order to reduce the risk of
drug abuse or to help someone they care for who is already suffering from drug abuse or
addiction. Illegal drugs come in different shapes, sizes, and types. Each particular drug
produces unique effects on the user, this is why you may have heard the term "drug of
choice". This means, the drug that the user prefers. People use illegal drugs for many
reasons, boredom, to fit in, experimentation, etc. They begin to abuse drugs when they
repeatedly take them to solve their problems or to make them feel "normal". Marijuana
is by far the most widely used illegal drug. It is derived from the cannabis plant, which
grows in many countries, including the United States. People put it in rolling papers to
make marijuana cigarettes, smoke it in bongs or pipes, or mix it in baked goods or tea and
eat or drink it. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug. It is illegal to grow, sell, buy or use
marijuana, hashish or hashish oil. Synthetic THC capsules are available by prescription to
treat the nausea that cancer patients sometimes suffer with some forms of chemotherapy,
and to treat wasting in AIDS patients. No form of the smoked drug has been approved as
safe or effective for any medical use. Cocaine and crack cocaine come from the leaves of
the coca plant which grows primarily in South America. Cocaine is processed into a
white powder which people snort or melt and inject. Crack is further processed into a
substance that can be smoked. Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance. It is illegal
to grow, process, sell or use cocaine or crack. Cocaine has limited use in medicine as an
anesthetic. Ecstasy (MDMA) is a synthetic drug with both hallucinogenic and
amphetamine-like properties. It is chemically similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA
and methamphetamine, which damage the brain. Ecstasy is mainly taken in pill form but
users have been known to crush and snort or inject the drug. Opium is the dried milk of
the poppy plant and contains morphine and codeine from morphine it is a short step to the
production of heroin, a powder over twice as potent as morphine. Opium can be eaten,
smoked and drunk. Morphine can be injected or taken orally. Heroin can be smoked in
tobacco, heated on aluminum foil and inhaled, injected under the skin or into the muscle/
vein. Meth is a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central
nervous system. The drug is made easily in clandestine laboratories with relatively

24
inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. These factors combine to make meth a drug
with high potential for widespread abuse.29

1
Harrison Act - Things To Remember While Reading Excerpts From The Harrison Narcotic Drug Act Of
1914:, Excerpt From The Harrison Narcotic Drug Act Of 1914.
<http://law.jrank.org/pages/12360/Harrison-Act.html">
2
The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment. “A History of Opiate Laws in the
United States.” February 8, 2008. <http://www.naabt.org/laws.cfm>
3
Office of National Drug Control Policy. “The State of Drug Use in America: Key Findings from the
2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2007. <http://www.ondcp.gov/dfc/files/nsduh.pdf>
4
Boyum, David and Reuter, Peter, An Analytical Assessment of U.S. Drug Policy.
5
Vanden Heudel, Katrina, Jim Webb Tackles Our Tangled Drug Policy,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080620/cm_thenation/7331478
6
Ibid.
7
National Institute of Drug Abuse web site. “Magnitude”.
<http://www.nida.nih.gov/about/welcome/aboutdrugabuse/magnitude/>
8
Ibid.
9
Ibid.
10
Drug Enforcement Administration Web site, Drug Descriptions: Cocaine
11
National Institute on Drug Abuse, InfoFacts: Crack and Cocaine, June 2007
12
Ibid.
13
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Cocaine Abuse and Addiction, November 2004
14
National Institute on Drug Abuse, InfoFacts: Crack and Cocaine, April 2006
15
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2006 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2007
16
National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, 2007 Monitoring the Future Study Drug
Data Tables, December 2007
17
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Marijuana Facts Parents Need to Know, September 2004, What is
Marijuana, How is Marijuana Used?
18
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2006 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2007
19
National Institute on Drug Abuse, InfoFacts: Marijuana, April 2006
20
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Heroin Abuse and Addiction Research Report, May 2005
21
Drug Enforcement Administration, Drugs of Abuse, 2005
22
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Heroin Abuse and Addiction Research Report, May 2005
23
Ibid.
24
National Institute on Drug Abuse, InfoFacts: Heroin, June 2007
25
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction, August 2005
26
Office of National Drug Control Policy, Synthetic Drug Control Strategy: A Focus on Methamphetamine
and Prescription Drug Abuse, May 2006
27
National Drug Intelligence Center, National Drug Threat Assessment 2007, October 2006
28
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2006 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health: National Findings, 2007
29
Narconon – Drug Rehab and Treatment Addiction Center. “Illegal Drugs”
< http://www.addictionca.com/illegal-drugs.htm>

25

You might also like