Oct 7, 2024
Public Health Report
Humanitarian Approaches to Drug Policy: Advocating for Families and Children in America raises important questions about the impact of drug policies on families and children. Additionally, it questions whether the industrial prison system still treats Black citizens as slaves. This thought-provoking report highlights the need for a more compassionate and equitable approach to drug policy in order to support vulnerable populations.
MASS INCARCERATION
The fields of public health and medicine increasingly recognize that social factors significantly affect health outcomes. The "war on drugs" in the United States managed to exacerbate health disparities, particularly impacting low-income communities and people of color. This report investigative analysis is derive from a study by Cohen A, Vakharia SP, Netherland J, Frederique K. titled: "How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system." Explores how the "drug war logic" has infiltrated various systems, such as employment, education, housing, and healthcare, negatively impacting individuals and communities. It suggests that medical practitioners can help mitigate these effects by advocating for policy reform and reducing the impact of criminalization on healthcare provisions. Simply put community member who have a drug addiction should be placed in rehabilitation facilities and not prison.
Why Is This Important?
This type of investigative report is important because it highlights the potential impact of the family regulation system's approach to drug use on families and children. It sheds light on the disconnect between policies and evidence, emphasizing the need for a more balanced and evidence-based approach that takes into account the complexities surrounding drug use and its effects on American families and children.
The public can better engage and understand the impact of blocked services from needy citizens, citizen incarceration for minor drug offenses, and future outcomes for children born into poverty by advocating for the use of humanitarian basic laws. This can be achieved through raising awareness about the disproportionate effects of current policies on vulnerable citizen populations, engaging with policymakers to advocate for more humane and evidence-based approaches to drug-related issues, and supporting organizations and initiatives that work towards addressing these systemic challenges. One such organization is the Equal Justice Initiative https://eji.org/. By promoting dialogue, education, and advocacy around the humanitarian aspects of these issues, the public can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.
The Study
Cohen A, Vakharia SP, Netherland J, and Frederique K. How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system. Ann Med. 2022 Dec2020;
Shares how the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age affect a wide range of health outcomes. Public health and medical fields recognize that these social determinants of health play a key role in driving health inequities and disparities. Factors like access to nutritious foods, safe neighborhoods, stable housing, job opportunities, good schools, insurance, and healthcare can lead to different health outcomes for individuals and communities. Understanding how the allowance of systematic racism, anti-Black governance that blocks Black representation for example as well as advocacy for vulnerable Black citizens communitites and legislation create challenges and barriers that impact the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle is also important. (Picture Source: Wix Media)
The War On Drugs
One overlooked factor influencing health is the "war on drugs" in the United States. This war has worsened many issues that affect health, especially in low-income communities and among people of color who already face discrimination, disinvestment, and racism. The contemporary drug war in the U.S. began in 1971 when President Richard Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act and declared drug abuse as “public enemy number one.” Since then, billions of dollars have been spent annually on drug enforcement and punishment. Over the past 50 years, the war on drugs has led to the criminalization and incarceration of millions of people, disrupting their access to resources for healthy living.
Per the study, drug offenses are the primary reason for arrest in the U.S., with over 1.1 million drug-related arrests in 2020, most of which were for personal possession alone. Despite the fact that people of all races use and sell drugs at similar rates, in 2020, Black people, who make up 13% of the U.S. population, accounted for 24% of all drug arrests. In recent years, there has been a decrease in incarceration rates for drug-related offenses, as efforts have been made to reform the criminal justice system and propose a public health approach to drug use. However, approximately 20% of incarcerated individuals are serving time for a drug charge, and there are still racial disparities in incarceration.
The Death Toll On The American Public As An Result of Illegal Drug Distribution
The illegal drug supply has become more unpredictable and contaminated, leading to a sharp rise in drug overdose deaths. It is estimated that one million people died from a drug-related overdose between 1999 and 2020, with over 100,000 deaths occurring in 2021. Since 2015, overdose deaths have disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minorities, with Black people experiencing the highest increase in overdose fatality rates. Currently, Black and Native people have the highest overdose death rates in the U.S. The recent surge in overdose deaths can be attributed to a fentanyl-contaminated drug supply caused by drug prohibition, which leads to stigma and fear of punishment, deterring people from seeking the support they need. There is also a lack of substantial investment in harm reduction and evidence-based treatment services. Even though harm reduction strategies, such as supervised consumption spaces and heroin-assisted treatment, have been proven effective outside of the U.S., these approaches are not widely used in this country.
Why the disturbing affects of the drug war disproportioanlly effects the well being of citizens.
The impact of the drug war has spread beyond the criminal justice system and has affected various aspects of life in the United States. Cohen A, Vakharia SP, Netherland J, Frederique K. How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system report discusses how criminalization has impacted different areas of life, rather than focusing on the health effects of incarceration. The report argue's that the underlying logic of the drug war has led to increased surveillance and control of drug-related activities in everyday life in the U.S. This logic prioritizes and justifies drug prohibition, criminalization, and punishment over a public health approach to addressing drug-related issues. By using the term "drug war logic," Cohen, Vakharia, Netherland, and Frederique, aim to bring attention to the unspoken assumptions about drug use that influence policies and practices across different institutions. Many individuals, including healthcare providers, may unknowingly perpetuate this logic through their actions, despite having good intentions per report. (Picture Source: Wix Media Black Family in Church)
Cohen, Vakharia, Netherland, and Frederique, believe that the drug war logic contradicts widely accepted views of addiction as a health issue and has made it more challenging to implement a public health approach. As outlined in this report, the logic undermines the health of individuals who use drugs, their families, and their communities by treating drug use primarily as a criminal issue.
For Example:
The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990
Policies related to drug use can lead to eviction from public housing. Since 1988, drug-related activities on or near public housing premises have been grounds for immediate eviction. In 1990, the law was expanded to include eviction if a tenant's family member or guest engaged in drug-related activity, even if they didn't live on-site. The 1996 Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act allowed eviction if a tenant or guest was suspected of using or selling drugs, even outside the premises. These policies do not require a drug arrest or proof of drug-related activity. Evicted households are banned from public housing for at least three years unless the tenant completes a drug treatment program or is rehabilitated successfully.
Why Should American Society Care About These Issues?
It is important for society to consider the impact of policies on individuals and families relying on public housing. The risk of eviction due to drug-related activities, even by a guest or family member, can have severe consequences, including instability, homelessness, and barriers to accessing safe and affordable housing. These policies may also contribute to cycles of poverty and exclusion, affecting the overall well-being of American communities. It is crucial for society to be aware of these implications and to explore more equitable approaches to support individuals and families in public housing, as well as those dealing with illegal drug addiction.
To gain further insight into the detrimental effects of the "War on Drugs" on American citizens, particularly in relation to the infringement of citizenship rights and the unchecked prosperity of drug smugglers over the past five decades, please follow this link to learn why as Americans that we can choose a different option and or penalty of our fellow citizens. Let's be that helpful hand that helps vulnerable families from being caught up in a systems that seeks to not just disenfranchse the citizen. But said citizens children over all outcome in life to be better and not worse as previously "War On Drugs," promoted. In order to make a happier and healthier American society that cares for their citizens equally.
Echo News T.V. L.L.C. reports Disclosure claim:
The author did not receive external funding for this work and has no conflict of interest
Reference:
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander https://newjimcrow.com/
Cohen, A., Vakharia, S. P., Netherland, J., & Frederique, K. (2022). How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system. Annals of medicine, 54(1), 2024–2038. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2022.2100926
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