The War on Drugs Starts Here
The New York Times
February 13, 2008
The author explains the drug problem using supply and demand. If our people in the United States are not demanding drugs, then there will not be a huge market for drugs. The author suggests that if the United States works harder on drug prevention and treating addicts, then there will be less drug trafficking from Mexico and Central America. In the article, the Bush administration is criticized for giving a $1.4 billion assistance package for Mexico and Central America to combat the drug trade. The Bush administration is also criticized for the 1.5 percent cut in spending on domestic drug prevention and treatment programs. The percentage of students trying or abusing cocaine and methamphetamine has decreased. However, there are more teenagers and adults abusing other narcotics, like prescription drugs. Many Americans over 18 are trying everything from heroin to marijuana to methamphetamine, so something needs to be done and soon.
It is obvious that there is a drug problem in America. I am sure that almost everyone knows at least one person that has or still does some type of drug. I think the author did a good job presenting the problem in a logical way. What I liked most was that the author presented a solution. It was not a foolproof solution, but it is a start to an increasing problem. The author did not try to get me to do something about this problem, but was basically letting me know there was one.
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3 comments:
I found this to be interesting. I think drug use should be prevented and youths educated on the matter. I liked that the author had a plan on how to help the situation.
Funneling money into Mexico and Central America isn't going to stop drugs coming into this country the same way that demand for drugs is never going to stop. The money would be better spent, as the author suggested, on programs to educate youths about the dangers of drug abuse. But is that really what big brother wants...
Although the author gave pertinent information, I'd like to see the research to show that more money spent on drug education programs will indeed decrease drug use. I do not believe this article would make a good argument unless evidence supporting this was presented. The author was clever using the supply and demand analogy, since most of the audience has heard of this and can relate to it. This made a good connection with the audience.
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