Encourage the Youth to Avoid the Consumption of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal Drugs
This goal mostly involves public communications programs and advertisements aimed at informing the youth and other members of the society of the dangers of consuming such substances. To actually accomplish this goal, there is a need for adequate research into the area of substance use and substance abuse ( Strang et al., 2012 ). Research would also help in developing zero tolerance policies for the youth concerning the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs particularly in schools, workplaces, and homes.
Improve the safety of the General Population by Reducing Drug-Related Crimes
This goal calls for drug enforcement programs that supplement law enforcement to fight drug-related crimes and interfere with the cycle of drug abuse and crime. It involves apprehending and prosecuting individuals, especially leaders of illegal drug cartels ( Strang et al., 2012 ). Affecting the leaders of these syndicates directly would have a more obvious outcome than merely arresting those individuals at the other end of the distribution chain. Research may be necessary for informing law enforcement and developing proper treatment plans for detained for being involved with illegal drugs.
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Cut Health and Social Expenses to the Public of Illicit Drug Use
Drug enforcement programs are often aimed at promoting a drug-free environment in workplaces and schools. Such initiatives focus on drug testing, prevention, education, and intervention. In this case, when the people have a proper understanding of the economic effects of indulging in substance abuse and the consumption of illegal drugs, say cocaine, they are likely to avoid such behavior ( Manchikanti, 2007 ). Most of these illegal drugs are expensive to purchase in the long-term. Additionally, treatments for drug addictions are quite expensive as compared to preventative procedures.
Manage the Rate of Drug Trafficking into the Country
Some of the current drug enforcement programs in the country involve conducting flexible operations to monitor and intercept illegal drugs in transit to the country and at its borders. The United States drug law enforcement strategies focus more on Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Southwest border, where drug trafficking occurs more often ( Strang et al., 2012 ). Also, the country has to foster bilateral relationships with drug enforcement agencies of other heroin and cocaine transit zone nations to impede the flow of such items.
Break the Sources of Illegal Drugs
Some of the drug enforcement techniques and programs are far-reaching and are aimed at reducing the global cultivation of marijuana, opium, and coca as well as the production of other illegal substances, such as methamphetamine ( Strang et al., 2012 ). Taking such steps would require the United States to work towards eliminating major international drug trafficking syndicates and apprehend their leaders. Given that money laundering is the most common way these cartel use to hide the proceeds of drug trafficking, the United States supports international policies and laws against this activity.
The effect Community Policing on Police-Community Relations
One of the desired effects of community policing is an improvement in the relationship between the police and residents ( Terpstra, 2009 ). Some studies support the argument that an increased collaboration between the police and civilians increases their satisfaction with police services. However, Cordner (2014) holds that certain programs favor particular community interests and dominant groups. For instance, community policing efforts may benefit local business owners or the middle-class families. While the relationship between the police and these parties may improve, the other groups are likely to distrust the police and limit their participation in community policing. It follows that community policing promotes relations building between the police and residents, but such a statement does not apply to the entire community.
Challenges Facing the Implementation of Community Policing
Resistance from some police officers. Community policing often translates to quality police service, and it should be described as such. However, challenges still exist, and some police officers demonstrate a significant level of opposition to the implementation of community policing ( Cordner, 2014 ). Even today, the idea of community policing in some police departments is still not appreciated because some officers deem community policing to be “soft” or “barely actual policing.”
Inadequate cooperation between local government agencies. The poor relationship between departments, especially in major cities, is a critical challenge to the implementation of advancement of community policing ( Cordner, 2014 ). The responsibility of public safety is too heavy a burden for the police alone, and a proper collaboration with other local municipal agencies would ensure the development of effective community policing strategies.
Funding shortfalls. Inadequate funding remains to be a problem in the implementation and sustenance of community policing initiatives. Many cities are undergoing budget cuts, and police departments are particularly among the agencies affected by budget shortfalls ( Cordner, 2014 ). Consequently, there are fewer officers available to act on calls for service, participate in crime prevention strategies in the affected areas, and sustain a good relationship with the members of the community.
Disengaged communities. It is difficult for a police department to reconnect with a disengaged community or stay connected with a rapidly changing community. This situation arises mainly in areas where residents have limited time to take part in community policing. In such instances, members of the community fail to participate in public safety issues effectively ( Cordner, 2014 ). As a result, community policing becomes problematic venture.
Inability to initiate change. Police departments, like many other organizations, find it difficult to create change. Even when there is change, it is often slow, and the short tenures of many chiefs does not make it any easier. Whenever there a new chief takes over, there is a high risk of inconsistency ( Cordner, 2014 ). Consistency is a vital element of community policing because it facilitates mutual trust between the police and members of the community.
References
Cordner, G. (2014). Community policing. The Oxford handbook of police and policing , 148-171.
Terpstra, J. (2009). Community policing in practice: ambitions and realization. Policing , pap029.
Manchikanti, L. (2007). National drug control policy and prescription drug abuse: facts and fallacies. Pain Physician , 10 (3), and 399.
Strang, J., Babor, T., Caulkins, J., Fischer, B., Foxcroft, D., & Humphreys, K. (2012). Drug policy and the public good: evidence for effective interventions. The Lancet , 379 (9810), 71-83.
