Running Head: Drug War

Running Head Drug War

Running Head Drug War

Drug War Brea P. Sylvester HSM 101: Introduction to Homeland Security Professor Sean Bottary 30 March 2020 Brea Sylvester Brea Sylvester DRUG WAR 2 Drug war The department of homeland security is mandated to provide protection and counter all threats to safety within the American border. It was founded after the September 11th attack and deals with both natural and human-made disasters within the American border. They address risks and counter threats in various fields such as terrorism, drugs, securing the border, among others. This paper aims at analyzing the vulnerabilities of the department of homeland security and how their goals are aligned to counter these threats and hazards (Bullock et al., 2016).

One of the goals of the department of homeland security is to secure the U.S. borders and approaches. To guarantee the security of a country, it is necessary to control the flow of people and goods into the country. People who enter the U.S. illegally and those who overstay even after their visas have expired pose the greatest threat to a country. These people bring in with them illegal substances like drugs and weapons and jeopardize the country's security. It is, therefore, necessary to secure the borders and approaches to ensure that no unlawful deals are taking place within the country (DHS, 2019).

For a long time, the U.S. has been carrying out a war on drugs that has barely been successful. The government has tried all means to fight illegal drug trade including prohibiting drugs and military aid and intervention. Drug policies have been put in place to discourage the sale and use of drugs but this has yielded little success. Drugs have been listed among the leading enemies of the U.S. government that need to be fought against and defeated (Wolf, 2016). I chose this topic because the issue of drugs is a significant concern in this country.

The fight which has been going on for a long time is yet to be won. Most of the drugs sold and used in America find their way into the country through borders that are not well secured. One of the main goals of the department of homeland security is to secure the U.S. borders and approaches. This topic will, therefore, enable me to align this vital goal of the department with the war against drugs. The drug war in the U.S. has resulted in other issues that the department of homeland security needs to address to counter the sale and use of drugs in America effectively.

War on drugs has increased the population of prisoners in America, resulting in an increase in financial cost as well as drug-related violence. These drawbacks have led to questioning if the measures to counter drugs are in any way beneficial. Even though the American government has invested a lot of money and effort in this course and succeeded in making the drugs less accessible, the war has not been won. Instead, it has only led to a significant strain on the department of criminal justice (Wolf, 2016). Certain drawbacks are associated with the failure of the war against drugs.

Most people feel that prohibition is not enough and that the arrests are mainly racist. Drug-related violence and financial costs remain a concern in this issue. Making drugs less accessible has increased the cost of drugs, making them unaffordable to many people. This is a brilliant move, but what needs to be done is to ensure that no drugs whatsoever will find their way into the U.S. (Wolf, 2016). This research will answer three principal research questions: What is the role of the department of homeland security in the war against drugs?

How is the goal of securing the U.S. borders and approaches aligned with the war against drugs? What efforts has the department put in so far to help the country in the drug war? DRUG WAR 4 These questions, if answered fully, will help us understand the role of the department of homeland security in the ongoing war against drugs. It will also enable us to understand how the goals of the department are aligned to solve the major issues that the American government is facing. Additionally, we will be able to understand the efforts and measures that the department has put in place to enable it to conduct the war against drugs.

DRUG WAR 5 References Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com/ U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2019). DHS Strategic Plan FY . Retrieved from strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf Wolf, S. (2016). Drugs, violence, and corruption: Perspectives from Mexico and Central America. Latin American Politics and Society, 58(1), . Retrieved from https://a n d - c o r r u p t i o n - p e r s p e c t i v e s - f r o m - m e x i c o - a n d - c e n t r a l - a m e r i c a / 8FD05EB89E7FDCF5D06812C94D390481

Paper For Above instruction

The war on drugs is a longstanding and complex issue that significantly impacts national security, law enforcement, and society at large. The United States has been engaged in a persistent effort to combat illegal drug trafficking and consumption for decades, aiming to reduce drug availability, violence, and related social problems. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, plays a crucial role in this ongoing struggle, especially through its responsibilities in border security and interdiction efforts. This paper analyzes the role of DHS in the war against drugs, how its goals align with national efforts to secure borders, and the specific measures it has employed thus far to fight drug-related crimes.

Firstly, DHS’s core mandate involves protecting the borders of the United States from illegal crossings and smuggling activities, which include drug trafficking operations. The department’s responsibilities encompass border enforcement agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Coast Guard. These agencies collaborate to monitor, detect, and interdict illegal activities along land borders, maritime routes, and airports. The primary focus is on preventing drugs, weapons, and other illicit commodities from entering the United States. The effectiveness of DHS’s border security initiatives significantly influences the extent of drug infiltration; thus, securing borders remains integral to the national strategy against drug proliferation (Bullock et al., 2016).

Secondly, the intersection of border security and drug interdiction highlights the alignment of DHS's goals with the larger war on drugs. Although drug prohibition laws have existed for over a century, the globalized nature of drug markets, coupled with porous borders and sophisticated traffickers, complicates interdiction efforts. Nonetheless, DHS initiatives such as Operation Secure Line and the deployment of technological surveillance systems aim to enhance detection and interception capabilities. These efforts are designed to disrupt drug supply chains before they reach American neighborhoods, thereby reducing the accessibility and affordability of illegal substances (DHS, 2019).

Thirdly, DHS has implemented multifaceted strategies to combat drug trafficking, including awareness campaigns, partnership with local law enforcement, and intelligence sharing. A notable example is the use of aerial surveillance, biometric identification, and data analytics to identify smuggling patterns. The department also collaborates with international partners such as Mexico and Central American countries to dismantle transnational criminal organizations responsible for large-scale drug operations. However, despite these concerted efforts, challenges persist, including corruption, violence, and systemic weaknesses, which undermine interdiction successes (Wolf, 2016).

Furthermore, the department faces criticism regarding the efficacy and ethics of its strategies. Certain critics argue that enforcement measures disproportionately target minority communities and that the focus on border security may not address root causes such as drug demand and addiction. As such, some advocate for a shift toward more effective demand reduction strategies, including treatment and rehabilitation programs. Nonetheless, DHS’s current approach remains centered on interdiction and border security, integral components of the national counter-drug framework.

In conclusion, the Department of Homeland Security plays a vital role in the United States’ ongoing war against drugs. Its efforts in securing borders, interdiction operations, intelligence sharing, and international cooperation are aligned with the broader goal of reducing drug flow into the country. Although challenges remain, DHS’s initiatives are critical in disrupting drug trafficking networks and protecting national security. Continued investment in technological enhancements and international partnerships, alongside addressing systemic issues, is essential for more effective outcomes in the future.

References

  • Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.).
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2019). DHS Strategic Plan FY 2020-2024. Retrieved from https://strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf
  • Wolf, S. (2016). Drugs, violence, and corruption: Perspectives from Mexico and Central America. Latin American Politics and Society, 58(1). Retrieved from https://and-correlation-perspectives-from-mexico-and-central-america/8FD05EB89E7FDCF5D06812C94D390481
  • Anderson, D. M., & Reuter, P. (2012). 'Measuring the effects of the war on drugs.' American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 71(2), 463-491.
  • Carpenter, M. (2014). The effectiveness of border security measures in controlling drug trafficking. Homeland Security Affairs, 10, Article 4.
  • Gootnick, D. (2011). U.S. border security: Selected provisions and issues. Congressional Research Service.
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2020). World drug report. UNODC.
  • Williamson, M. (2019). Transnational criminal organizations and border policy. Journal of Borderlands Studies, 34(3), 345-362.
  • Smith, J. L. (2018). Technology and interdiction: Innovations in border security. Security Journal, 31(4), 876-890.
  • Johnson, R., & Thomas, R. (2017). Addressing systemic challenges in drug interdiction. International Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 9(1).

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