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Do you think any of the drugs in Schedule I to Schedule V of the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 should be legalized?
In the controlled substance act of 1970, there are classifications about the drugs, which range from Schedule I to Schedule V. Each classification has categorized a list of drugs which have certain abuses, and impact the health and environment of the country. These schedules include drugs based on the level of effect from its usage (Collins, 1974). Schedule I includes the drugs having the highest amount of abuse and continuing to Schedule V, it level of abuse reduces. These have been categorized to identify, which drug has the most affect and which drug is not legalized by the government. Marijuana (Cannabis), is considered to be a schedule I drug and has the most amount of affect on the people. In this category, drugs which are included do not have any medical benefits, and are more harmful for a person (Collins, 1974). Scientific studies have identified that marijuana can be effective in the treatment of cancer patients, and some other medical uses are also linked with marijuana. However, it is not yet legalized by the government, but for a medical purpose it should be made legal only for treating the cancer patients effectively.
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How does the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 affect drug and alcohol offenses?
According to the CSA of 1970, tobacco and alcohol are not included as a dangerous drug, but it has effected the offenses made on alcohol and other drugs. The reason being is about the culture of the country. It effects the US culture because alcohol is largely consumed by people in the country and it will be an offense towards the public, to make it illegal (Collins, 1974). However, the list in CSA has made an impact that drugs and alcohol are also not good for health and environment.
How does your state treat repeat offenders?
People trying to offend the drug use, and repeating it has to be dealt in a responsive and strategic manner. California in this regard, has made certain steps where they try to impose heavy fines on the one who is offending the drug use (Hadlaczky et al., 2014). Initially, the offender is warned about not to use the drugs and no fine is implied on them. But if the offender tries to use the drug again, he/she is charged with a heavy fine so that they cannot use it in the future.
How does your state distinguish between drug dealers and drug users?
Drug dealer is the one who is selling the drugs, and drug users are the one who purchase those drugs from the drug dealer (Korf, Wouters & Fountain, 2015). In California, state has different laws for both entities. The government has different fines and laws to deal with the drug dealer and drug user. However, drug dealers are the main cause for this abuse, so the state focuses on finishing it by putting drug enforcement agents on the field to get them and give them legal punishments (Korf, Wouters & Fountain, 2015). Drug users are dealt desperately in California, where the users are given initial charges and treatments to overcome it. If they don’t, then they have to pay fines and in some cases jail time.
Does your state emphasize treatment or punishment?
In California, state has certain categories of punishing the offenders of drug law. There are different classes of these charges. Punishment is mostly observed by the state government, where a minimum of $500 fine is imposed for the first time and it ranges to $1800 in worst cases (Pragst & Balikova, 2006). California has basically focused on punishment because the amount of people taking drugs in the state cannot be effectively dealt with treatment.
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Should any of the penalties for drug and alcohol offenses be classified?
The law and order of America says that, alcohol and any legal drug should not be given to a person who is less than 21 years. This statement has given leverage to a lot of people, as the awareness of drugs has increased in people with the passage of time. This law also applies to the state of California, and it should be increased to atleast 25 years. It will reduce the offenses of alcohol and drugs and drastically reduce the amount of these drugs in people. As a result, there will be less fines given and less usage of drugs and alcohol.
References
Collins, J. P. (1974). Traffic in the Traffickers: Extradition and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act of 1970. The Yale Law Journal, 83(4), 706-744.
Hadlaczky, G., Hökby, S., Mkrtchian, A., Carli, V., & Wasserman, D. (2014). Mental Health First Aid is an effective public health intervention for improving knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour: A meta-analysis. International Review of Psychiatry, 26(4), 467-475.
Korf, D. J., Wouters, M., & Fountain, J. (2015). Real life and virtual worlds of drug users and drug dealers in social drug research: An introduction. Between street and screen: traditions and innovations in the drugs field, 11-24.
Pragst, F., & Balikova, M. A. (2006). State of the art in hair analysis for detection of drug and alcohol abuse. Clinica Chimica Acta, 370(1-2), 17-49.
