Activity 10!

                     When I hear the words “drug dealer” I picture the same thing as many others do within our society. I picture someone who is of color, young, poor and from a city or very urban area with a lack of proper education or opportunities to succeed. People who are surrounded by negativity peers, family and parents who had experienced the same issues when growing up. Dorm Room Dealers takes on another perspective, which broaden my view drastically. The two sociologists, Mohamed and Fritsvold formed ethnography on a private college in San Diego. They spent a total of six years interviewing and observing them as they partied, used illegal drugs, traded pills and too part in other illegal activities, which are completely unexpected from them. These books focuses on how these individuals, the wealthy or of no color were able to get away with dealing drugs and committing all these crimes. Even when the police caught them, they are able to convince the police to let them go with money.  For example, one student got too wasted and attacked a car. There was pot and evidence of drug dealing involved. However, the police officer was convinced by that student to drive him home and took a hundred dollars in return. This book discussed the lack of consequences these “good people” receive from dealing drugs. The researchers were able to provide the reader with a new perspective on who drug dealers can be and that the stereotypes placed on the typical drug dealer doesn’t really exist. The unexpected are likely to deal, smoke and drink underage, not just the poor and colored individuals in urban areas.

Current Event Analysis!

            The article I chose for my current event was in relation to drugs and it’s influence on violence. After doing research and reading several articles, I came in to contact with one specifically that addressed this topic and helped me fully understand the impact drugs has on violence and how both aspects have an influence on our society. The article is called “Matamoros Drug Violence Spurs Ride in Kidnapping. It discusses the violence, which is spreading across the northeaster border of Mexico. Rivals within the Gulf Cartel are fighting to gain control over the smuggling of drugs around that area. This conflict is becoming an issue for the local population and communities in that area. They are getting trapped in between the crime and it’s causing issues for drug cartels to operate effectively with their corresponding rivals.

            Although this is an issue across the area, this articles focuses on one specific example of the effect of drug crime directly on individuals within the society. A young, Mexican-American man in his late twenties worked and brought and sold gold respectfully. He was owner of a jewelry store in Matamoros. He was kidnapped because people knew his family had a great future with a good amount of money to live a relaxed life. One day he was working, about to close the store, when three men came and forced him to get in to a van as they threatened him with guns. From that point, they put a sack over his head and drove almost an hour until they stopped and told him to get out of the van. They took him to a disgusting area with walls that had bloodstains on them. He was violently abused and fed spoiled food for a whole entire week. They wanted his money and continuously beat him until they got that. Eventually, the parents paid the kidnappers almost $42,000 in pesos. They took him and left him outside after receiving the money. He was beaten very badly but eventually was able to find a farmhouse and then find his way home from there. It took him a long time to recover physically and it still affects him mentally.

            One thing he realized from this was that in the past, people from the drug cartel used to have white trucks, similar to the one he was kidnapped in, and they never used to harm local people. They used to sell their drugs, get their money and move on. However, now he sees these same guys just wanting to make money. According to the article, cartel members are preying on locals as alternate methods on income. Killing of major drug capos led to the increase of crime toward local individuals. The two cartels within that area are both struggling for power and this can result in everyone being unsafe and at risk of crime such as kidnapping.

            As far as it’s relation to what we have learned in class, we did discuss the connection between drugs and it’s relation to crime. We discussed what factors caused that crime and how it influenced society. We talked about the direct and indirect causes of drug crime and how members of the drug subculture have much higher rates of criminality. People who are likely to use the drugs are also more likely to have more criminal activity in other aspects. The three men who are previous involved in the drug cartel, kidnapped an innocent man. The illegal participation with selling drugs led to the kidnapping of that man. It may have been an indirect cause but it was influenced by their experience selling drugs through the cartel and the pressures from competing with other cartels for power. Also in class we directly discussed how violence is an issue from drug trafficking because of the intense competition for large profits and when a commodity is scare or in high demand, individuals involved may take extreme measures, such a kidnapping someone to get control and the money they need. Drug trafficking and use has a huge negative influence on society as exemplified within the article. Whether it involves drug using or trafficking or drug use, it can negatively indirectly or directly influence our society by creating struggles and harm within their lives.

Article Link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=397096947

Activity 9!

         The methods used to import the narcotics were very specific and secretive. The cocaine had to be tightly packaged in to cube-like shapes and then imported to the states by plane or by a boat. If imported through a plane, the plane would be privately owned and would land at a small airport with little to no security. People with personal planes would store their plane in a garage, which wouldn’t allow one to think a plane would be in it. The documentary mentioned how a stewardess on the plane was able to secretly import the narcotics across borders. As for the boat, the drugs would be hidden from sight within the boat. Someone from the other side would be using binoculars to make sure no police boats were nearby. Both sides would use a radio system to communicate to let the other know when the drugs were ready to be sent out. Colombia specifically controls 80% of the drug cartel, which comes to the United States.

         As far as the distribution of the narcotics within the US, once given to a supplier, that person would distribute it to all kinds of people. The guy in the documentary discussed how he sold cocaine to celebrities and athletes and even people in the streets. In order to keep the drugs in a safe place, the supplier would pay people to keep it in their homes and garages. They would even sell their drugs to people who lived in their neighborhood.

         The city of Miami became a huge center for the drug trade. High-end clubs and bars were created to cater to the drug traffic. People had the money from drugs and used it to be entertained. People spent money like no other in order to get whatever they wanted. Everybody had a price and was willing to do anything or be bribed by the money. People became so powerful because of the money they had, that they were able to sway the government. Miami became the trouble center for drugs and refugees and it became more dangerous. It became an area for mostly criminals and it had lost its sense of “paradise.” In class we discussed the effect of schedule 2 drugs on individuals and cocaine being one of them, can form addiction, which can result in crime in the long run. This might explain why Miami transformed to a dangerous place with criminals following years of drug trade.

Activity 8!

         The war on drugs is something that was declared by President Richard Nixon in order to support drug prohibition. During his presidency, he increased the size of federal drug control agencies and even temporarily placed marijuana as a schedule one drug, which classifies it as dangerous to health. He also pushed toward things such as mandatory sentences in order to prevent people from abusing drugs through crime. I would say that we have, in fact, lost the war on drugs. Although Nixon pushed toward the downfall of the use of illegal drugs such as marijuana, overtime, it has become legal in a handful of states, including Colorado and California. As far as costs of losing the war, there are quite a few. As a legalized drug, marijuana for example, might be easily accessible for young or underage people to receive and abuse. It can also impair one’s judgment for a certain period of time, which may even lead to more accidents or driving issues. One could also grow an addiction to the drug and experience withdrawal and it may even lead to overdose. Most importantly, if only legalized medicinally, people may abuse prescriptions and sell their drugs to other people. Overall, I think we have definitely lost the war on drugs because of how open people have become in being more accepting toward illegal drugs such as marijuana. However, I think majority of the people only support the legalization in terms of using it medicinally. Legalization of specific drugs definitely has its costs, but we have to think about whether those costs outweigh the benefits or vice-versa.  

Activity 7!

         After watching the UF Law Review Panel Forum, I have gained a greater understanding on the benefits and disadvantages of legalizing medicinal marijuana. Hearing the opinions of experts in the field has given me a greater insight of the history of marijuana in the United States as well as what the future could hold if the drug becomes legal. When arguing for the legalization of marijuana, it is important to understand how it can be effective in the treatment of illnesses such as AIDs, cancer, or anything else, which causes severe pain. Although, some people would argue that the drug is dangerous, it can be compared to other painkillers such as oxycodone, which can be found at dispensaries. As far as public health goes, it will provide the public with an alternative method to cope through severe amounts of pain in order to ensure their well being and overall health. People around the country have illnesses and marijuana helps them relieve that pain. Legalizing marijuana would allow them to not run the risk of going to prison for long sentences and it would prevent criminalization. Marijuana is also proven to be less harmful than recreational use of alcohol along with sugar.

         Although there are several pros for the legalization of marijuana, there are plenty of disadvantages too. Growing marijuana would increase taxes by large amounts. One of the experts on the panel discussed how growing a certain portion of a vegetable would cost around $60, whereas growing that same amount in marijuana would cost thousands of dollars. It may also form an increase in usage, which can lead to addiction, withdrawal symptoms and harm to the health of people of all ages. It will also make the drug more accessible to younger individuals. Although, it can help with pain, marijuana might not be necessary when taking in to account the many painkillers with already have. The side effect can also be harmful. It can impair driving ability and even break down the immune system. As far as public policy, the drug hasn’t even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration which lacks it’s credibility to not cause issues in the future.