RETHINKING USA DRUG POLICY.

There are striking similarities between current drug policies and the former policies of the prohibition era. Over the years, the American political climate has leaned towards "Get Tough" policies on drugs and crime; as such there has been an attendant increase in the number of tough sentences imposed on individuals charged with drug crimes. These tough policies appear to have garnered acceptance USA's political life and culture. The underlying premise of the punitive drug policy agenda is that illegal drugs are evil and must be stamped out of our society by any means necessary. This paper will briefly trace the origin of the current prohibitive drug policy as well as compare it with former USA alcohol prohibition agenda. The results of a drug policy survey will be analyzed and discussed within the context of current drug policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]