Aya Kanan

Mr. Davis
Government, 4
26 October 2016
Crime Reduction Act of 2016
The illegal drug market in the United States is one of the most profitable in the world with
sales ranging higher than can be terminated or controlled. Not only are the smuggled drugs
negatively affecting the health of the youth, but also forcing charges upon them that could have
been avoided; charges such as driving under the influence of drugs, possession of an illegal
substance, domestic violence, public offenses, and overdose. The consumption of illegal drugs
has reached epidemic proportions in which children as young as eleven years old are arrested for
trafficking, dealing, and/or consuming illicit drugs. It is the responsibility of the United States to
prevent Americas future generation from squandering their potential and protect them from
harm. The Crime Reduction Act of 2016 proposes a solution for said national problem in that it
will reduce the amount of incarcerations, medical problems, and drug dependences.
Drug use in the United States continues to escalate in spite of substantial publicity and
treatment programs. As a national problem on all age levels, drug abuse moved into prominence
during the 1960s and is still listed in various public opinion polls as among the three most
disturbing aspects of contemporary life, (Heaps 23) elucidating that in the past 56 years, the
arrest rate for drug-associated crimes has maintained its alarming influence. In fact, the United
States locks up more people for drug associated crimes than any other country (Ahranjani 280).
The youth form a large number of those incarcerated, most falling under the age of 18.
Furthermore, being under the influence of prohibited drugs causes one to lose touch with reality

and commit crimes that could have otherwise been avoided. According to The White House Law
Enforcement and Criminal Justice Reform, Over half of state and Federal inmates used drugs
during the month preceding their offense, and nearly one-third of state prisoners and one-quarter
of Federal prisoners used drugs at the time of their offense, concluding that a majority of
inmates are in prison due to substance abuse. The nations capacity for convicts has gone beyond
containment and is in need of regulation. The Crime Reduction Act of 2016 will derive federal
funds to pharmaceutical research agencies specified in developing non addictive painkillers to
combat the growing influence of the illegal drug market and reduce the annual arrest rate, for
alcohol and drugs are implicated in an estimated 80% of offenses leading to incarceration in the
United States (Wilcox). In enacting this bill, future drug crimes will be decreased to a
manageable point and the funds accumulated by the drop in arrests will be diverted towards other
important priorities such as victim services and mental health treatment.
Taking unsanctioned drugs could lead to long-term physiological and psychological health
problems such as anxiety, dementia, depression, parkinsonism, or even death. As stated in
Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction, More deaths, illnesses and disabilities stem from
substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition, meaning that what is taken
under the guise of a good time could result in frequent trips to the hospital. In addition, one in
four deaths is attributable to illicit drug use, illustrating the irreversible harmful effects of
consuming unlicensed drugs (Prettyman). The Crime Reduction Act of 2016 would counteract
the misuse of illegal drugs so as to prevent the youth from diminishing their prospects and
promise. The non addictive painkillers produced through the enactment of the Crime Reduction
Act of 2016 would help lessen the stress and strain addiction puts on the individual as well as
decrease the possibility of future health problems.

Taking illicit drugs alters the way the brain perceives objects and actions, and could
change the behavior of the consumer to an unrecognizable point. People who live with
substance dependence have a higher risk of all bad outcomes including unintentional injuries,
accidents, risk of domestic violence, and death, elucidating the deterioration of the human
health and psyche (Effects of Drug). Furthermore, there are a number of long-term physical
and emotional effects of addiction that can easily turn a healthy man or woman into a frail
shadow of their former self (Long Term Drug); a depiction seen time and time again. The
Criminal Reduction Act of 2016 ensures for a drug that would minimize addiction and the
degeneration of brain cells. In addition, the seized drugs are stored for years until they're no
longer needed as evidence, demonstrating the dependency of said drugs for there is about
1,626 metric tons of confiscated drugs in evidence lockup (Franko). Having a drug that is FDA
approved would mean decreasing the amount of drugs commandeered annually and preventing
unnecessary harm to future generations.
Although critics say that the new drug being developed might possess addictive qualities and
might not be as effective as its illegal counterparts, the Crime Reduction Act of 2016 will build
upon previous developments and breakthroughs in order to produce a more beneficial and less
harmful drug so as to decrease the influence of and dependency on the illegal drug market. In
2013, FDA approved a new opioid addiction treatment drug called Zubsolv in which patients
will take less of the new drug in order to achieve the same effect (FDA Approves New),
demonstrating the revolutionary medical advances pharmaceutical agencies are making. In
legislating this bill, many people would get to treat their addictions while also experiencing the
same relief. The advantageous effect of such action will stimulate economy, since the new drug
could be bought at any pharmacy, while simultaneously ensuring the health of the american

citizen. Furthermore, drug related crimes will be reduced in size thereby saving the government
funds that could be used towards important matters such as expanding the police force. In the
past 10 years, as San Joses population has grown by about 13 percent, the police force has
shrunk 11 percent, allowing for more crimes to go unsolved (Webby). In fact, Agencies have
reported decreases in investigations of property crimes, fugitive tracking, a variety of white
collar crimes, and even low-level narcotics cases ("Impact of Economic). It begs the
question of whether the people will take matters into their own hands or chose to place faith in a
downsized police force?
The Crime Reduction Act of 2016 will produce a drug that would allow for a low arrest
rate, reduce medical problems, and minimize drug dependences. Since the influence of the illegal
drug market in the U.S. today is still substantial, individuals will continue to consume illicit
substances. It is the obligation of the United States to protect its citizens from harm and in
ratifying the Criminal Reduction Act of 2016, America will be improving not only socially but
also economically. Furthermore, once an individual is apprehended by the police and referred to
a federal or state person, the community has already failed to uphold its promise in protecting the
individual. Not only does the judicial system consist of an ever expanding number of crimes,
committed in all localities, but also a diverse type of individuals as young as eleven years of age.
Drug abuse is a national crisis that calls for a change in the social and criminal structure of the
United States, for if we truly wanted to reduce the already alarming rate of incarcerations, wed
have enacted a similar bill already. We shouldn't trust promises, only believe in actions.

Works Cited
Books:
Ahranjani, Maryam, Andrew G. Ferguson, and Jamin B. Raskin. Youth Justice in America.
Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2005. Print.
Heaps, Willard A. Juvenile Justice. New York: Seabury, 1974. Print.
Websites:
"Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction." Gateway Foundation. Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Administration, 11 May 2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
"FDA Approves New Opioid Addiction Treatment Combining Buprenorphine and Naloxone Partnership for Drug-Free Kids." Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Partnership for Drug-Free
Kids, 18 July 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
Franko, Kantele. "Police Methods for Destroying Drug Evidence Vary." CBS News. CBS
News, 25 May 2014. Web. 07 Sept. 2016.
"Impact of Economic Downturn on American Police Agencies." Community Oriented Policing
Service (COPS). United States Department of Justice, 2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
"Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Reform." The White House. The White House, n.d.
Web. 06 Sept. 2016.
"Long Term Drug Addiction Effects." Psychological and Physical Effects of Drug Addiction.
DrugAbuse.net, 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
Prettyman, Barrett. "Three Modern Problems In Criminal Law." Scholarly Common.
Washington and Lee Law Review, 1 Sept. 1961. Web. 08 Sept. 2016.

Webby, Sean. "With Layoffs Looming, Debate under Way: How Many Police Officers Are
Enough for San Jose?" The Mercury News. The Mercury News, 03 Mar. 2011. Web. 18 Sept.
2016.
Wilcox, Stephen. "Alcohol, Drugs and Crime." Alcohol, Drugs and Crime. National Council
on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), 27 June 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.