Running Head: Drug War 880016

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.

Paper For Above instruction

The United States' ongoing war on drugs remains one of the most persistent and complex challenges in homeland security. Since the inception of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, its primary national security objectives have encompassed border security, counterterrorism, and the prevention of illegal drug flows across borders. The department's strategies to combat drug trafficking are integral to its broader goal of safeguarding national security, economic stability, and societal well-being.

Border security is a fundamental aspect of DHS’s mission, aimed at controlling the movement of individuals and commodities, including illicit substances, into the United States. U.S. borders, especially the southwest border with Mexico, are frequently exploited by drug cartels and traffickers to smuggle narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana. Although efforts like increased border patrols, surveillance technologies, and biometric checkpoints have been implemented, drug traffickers continuously adapt their tactics, highlighting vulnerabilities within border enforcement systems (DHS, 2019). These vulnerabilities undermine the effectiveness of the DHS’s capacity to fully prevent drug flow, contributing to persistent drug availability and the associated social and violent issues within the country.

The U.S. government has historically employed a militarized approach to address drug trafficking, often emphasizing interdiction, detention, and eradication policies. Initiatives such as the Mérida Initiative and increased funding for border enforcement agencies serve to disrupt drug trafficking routes. However, this approach has produced mixed results. While it has temporarily reduced the amount of drugs entering the U.S., it has also led to unintended consequences such as increased violence among traffickers, corruption, and the imprisonment of large segments of the population, disproportionately affecting minority communities (Wolf, 2016). The escalation of drug-related violence and incarceration rates has further strained the criminal justice system and diverted resources from treatment and prevention programs.

Moreover, the war on drugs has faced criticism for its failure to eradicate drug availability and for perpetuating systemic inequalities. Critics argue that prohibition and enforcement-centric policies have primarily targeted marginalized groups and have contributed to racial disparities in arrests and sentencing (Alipour & Taleghani, 2016). Despite aggressive enforcement, drug prices and potency have increased, rendering drugs less accessible but not eliminating their prevalence. This indicates that supply reduction strategies alone are insufficient and that a comprehensive approach involving demand reduction, harm reduction, and treatment services is essential.

In recent years, DHS has sought to enhance its counter-narcotics efforts by integrating intelligence-sharing, technology, and international cooperation. Programs that bolster cooperation with Mexican authorities, such as joint task forces, aim to dismantle transnational criminal organizations. Technological advancements like drones, biometric scanning, and data analytics are deployed to improve interdiction capabilities (Bullock et al., 2016). These efforts aim to mitigate vulnerabilities in border security and improve the interdiction rate of illegal narcotics.

One notable challenge facing DHS is the increasing sophistication of traffickers who use tunnels, drones, and encrypted communication to avoid detection. The department's evolving strategies include investing in tunnel detection technology, expanding aerial surveillance, and fostering community engagement to monitor suspicious activity. Despite these efforts, traffickers' adaptability presents ongoing threats to border security, underscoring the need for continuous innovation and resource allocation.

The role of DHS in addressing drug trafficking aligns with its broader mission to protect national security. By securing borders and disrupting trafficking networks, DHS aims to reduce the inflow of illegal drugs, which in turn can lower drug abuse and related violence domestically. Additionally, DHS’s partnerships with other agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilitate a layered and coordinated approach to combating drug flows. The department's emphasis on intelligence-led enforcement and technological innovation signifies a recognition of evolving trafficking tactics, though persistent vulnerabilities remain.

In conclusion, the fight against illicit drugs within the framework of homeland security involves addressing multifaceted vulnerabilities along U.S. borders. While DHS has implemented numerous strategies and technologies, traffickers’ adaptability, systemic inequalities, and resource constraints continue to challenge efforts to fully secure borders and eradicate drug flows. Moving forward, a balanced strategy that combines enforcement, community engagement, harm reduction, and international cooperation is necessary to make substantive progress in the ongoing war against drugs. These efforts require continuous innovation, adequate funding, and an inclusive approach that addresses the socio-economic factors underpinning drug demand and supply.

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