Introduction
Drug addiction is a significant problem that can take many forms. One of the main ways to counter the distribution and use of heroin is the creation of public policies. These measures throughout history have impacted many socio-political aspects and helped to respect society’s values. Examining implemented policies from a historical and societal perspective can provide valuable insight into their impact on society and whether they have been able to address the problem.
History of Heroin Use and Control
The history of heroin use began with this drug being actively used for medical purposes. In the early 20th century, heroin was considered an effective pain reliever and cough medicine (NIDA, 2021). However, further clarification that it is highly addictive led to the first control measures. In 1914, the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act was passed, which marked the beginning of drug control in the United States (DEA Museum, n.d.).
Further measures were traced in the adoption in 1970 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act (CQ Press Library, 2021). This meant the recognition of heroin as not a drug and marked the criminalization of its distribution. The implemented policies reflected the values of a society preoccupied with the public problem of heroin proliferation. In this way, law enforcement agencies stepped up the hunt for cartels and preventive measures to catch drug distributors.
The Negative Consequences of Criminalization
The current policy of criminalizing heroin is ambivalent. It has a negative impact because it criminalizes people who use drugs. Because of this, stigmatization and a negative attitude towards dependent people have developed in society, which prevents them from seeking help and starting treatment. An example of an adverse effect is that the punitive approach failed to limit people’s drug access, leading to the ongoing opioid crisis (United Nations, 2019). Thus, the harm the policy brings is greater than the benefit, which requires a review of the measures to combat heroin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the history of implementing anti-heroin policies has gradually evolved into a punitive approach. This prevents many people from seeking help, which creates a public problem of drug addiction. A review of current control measures is necessary to qualitatively curb drug use while avoiding the marginalization and stigmatization of dependent people. In this way, politicians will more accurately reflect societal values of well-being and the rule of law.
References
CQ Press Library. (2021). A comprehensive drug control bill was cleared by Congress. Web.
DEA Museum. (n. d.). Opium order form. Web.
NIDA. (2021). Prescription opioids DrugFacts. Web.
United Nations. (2019). What we have learned over the last ten years: A summary of knowledge acquired and produced by the UN system on drug-related matters. Web.