War on Drugs: Human Side (E1L5)

Flashcards covering key statistics, definitions, and systemic impacts related to the War on Drugs and incarceration in the US, based on lecture notes.

US Incarceration Statistics

The US accounts for 22% of the world's inmates with 1.9 million people in jail or prison, despite having only 4.4% of the world's population.

_______

Exponential increase in incarceration at end of 1980s/early 1990s, with peak in 2008; increased Fed funding on War on Drugs with almost every president since then.

Global Comparison of US State Incarceration

Many US states have incarceration rates that would position them among the highest globally, if each state were considered an independent country.

Prevalence of Illegal Drug Use in US

Over 70 million Americans (approximately 25%) aged 12 and up use an illegal drug each year, with usage rates varying across different racial and ethnic groups.

______

62 mil = Marjuana

5.3 mil = Cocaine

1 mil = Heroin

8.5 mil = Hallucinogens

8.5 mil = Prescription Opioids

2.7 mil = Methamphetamine

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

A condition categorized by mild, moderate, or severe patterns of substance use, affecting various racial/ethnic groups and varying in severity depending on the substance (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine).

______

Asian statistically less likely to use/abuse, multi-racial and AI/AN highest, with white/black/hispanic in middle.

Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness

The simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder and any mental illness, showing a graded relationship where more severe mental illness is often associated with more severe SUD.

Annual Cost of Incarceration

The estimated expense to incarcerate one person for a year typically ranges between $35,000 and $40,000.

______

Main takeaway: Is incarceration the best way to deal with drug usage/abuse?

______

8 Crimes Actually Reported:

Murder, Rape, Larceny, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Auto Theft, Burglary, and Arson (not all crimes considered when reporting crime).

Bail System Practices

Being released on one's own recognizance (ROR’d) is less common, with most inmates now facing bail requirements, often necessitating payment to a bail bondsman.

Collateral Consequences of Conviction

Ongoing restrictions and disentitlements faced by individuals after completing their sentences, including limitations on voting rights, firearm ownership, eligibility for public assistance (e.g., food stamps, public housing, TANF), certain jobs (like teaching), and state/federal grants.

Felony Disenfranchisement Laws

State-specific laws that govern the voting rights of individuals with felony convictions, which vary significantly from allowing voting upon sentence completion to permanent disenfranchisement or restrictions based on prison/parole status.

Takeaways from Lecture on Drugs/Incarceration

Wealthy people fare much better in legal situations.

1 in 5 people in jail for non-violent drug offenses.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually housing approximately 116,000 individuals in US jails for non-violent drug crimes because they cannot afford bail while awaiting trial.

Logically, will find more crime in areas allocated with more resources to search for the crime (and in urban areas with more people).

The War on Drug has been very expensive and not effective.

A more holistic approach is needed to combat drug abuse with law enforcement and intervention.