What is the institution in need of some change and what is the context for that institution? (Choose an institution in need of some updating or complete overhaul) (2 points)
One of the institutions in need of change is the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal executive department of the government, which is charged with the administration of justice as well as law enforcement ( Sacco, 2014) . Change is crucial in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), an agency under the Department of Justice, which is concerned with combating drug use and smuggling in the U.S. under the requirements of the federal drug war.
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What is wrong with the current institution or system? (4 points)
The DEA was established to fight drugs in the U.S. while upholding the values of the population. However, the DEA has posted devastating results over the years, which contradict the objectives that the War on Drugs sought to achieve. Some of the negative impacts associated with the DEA include racial injustices, mass incarceration, civil rights violations, and the wastage of public resources. Racial injustices have emerged from the War on Drugs in that despite Latinos and African Americans demonstrating comparable statistics of drug sale and use to Whites, Latinos and Africans are more likely to be charged with drug-related violations. Although Latinos and African Americans comprise 29% of the total U.S. population, they comprise over 75% of the drug-law violators in federal and state prisons ( Travis, Western & Redburn, 2014) .
Further, the concept of mass incarceration leads to a wastage of taxpayers money since the high cases of imprisonment have not been used in making America drug free since the inception of the War on Drugs. Preferably, the incarceration rates remain high among drug users. Moreover, the DEA's operations have resulted in increased violations of civil rights, whereby the DEA police break into homes without notice and terrorize residents while searching for drugs. On the other hand, citizens who are convicted of drug-related felonies are denied their right to vote.
What is your proposed change? (4 points)
The current model that the DEA employs in the War on Drugs involves arresting both the drug users and the drug sellers. However, the problem of drugs in America is more of a social problem rather than a criminal problem. Hence, the DEA should focus on cracking down the sellers and prescribers of narcotics and other illegal drugs, who are fewer than the drug users and punish them by the law ( Duke & Gross, 2014) . However, the agency should implement a treatment plan for drug users as well as accessible treatment programs, since drug users are not criminals, but rather individuals in need of help to overcome drug addiction. The treatment should include mandatory screening for drug and alcohol abuse as a standard of care, and individuals found to be addicts are referred for specialized treatment ( Drucker, 2012) . Treatment may comprise of both pharmacologic interventions, which comprise of medications, as well as non-pharmacologic interventions, such as counseling and the cognitive behavioral therapy among others.
How would this proposed change help our government? (3 points)
The proposed change would help the government in some ways, including saving on the costs associated with mass incarceration, which has proved as an ineffective way of managing the problem of drugs in America ( Travis, Western & Redburn, 2014) . There would be fewer individuals sent to prison because most drugs users would be referred to treatment programs to help them overcome their addiction as well as influence positive behavior change to discourage future drug use. Secondly, the government would be able to restore its position in defending the rights of the people by ensuring that all citizens are treated equally through such mandatory programs as screening for drug use and abuse. Thirdly, the government would benefit from a more productive workforce by achieving a drug-free population and realize economic growth since the resources previously used to purchase drugs would be invested.
How likely is it that this change would be implemented in the current political climate? (3 points)
It is likely that the change would be implemented in the current political climate since people are in pursuit of equality as well as defending their constitutional rights. Further, the idea to educate people on the impacts of drug abuse and the benefits of screening and treatment would be perceived as a positive move by the government in providing racially balanced health and social services. Moreover, racial inequalities are among the critical issues that require addressing in the U.S., thus, adopting an alternative approach to mass incarceration, which encourages racial profiling would be ideal for the nation.
References
Drucker, E. (2012). Drug law, mass incarceration, and public health. Or. L. Rev. , 91 , 1097.
Duke, S. B., & Gross, A. C. (2014). America's most protracted war: Rethinking our tragic crusade against drugs . Open Road Media.
Sacco, L. N. (2014). Drug enforcement in the United States: History, policy, and trends. Journal of Drug Addiction, Education, and Eradication , 10 (4), 415.
Travis, J., Western, B., & Redburn, F. S. (2014). The growth of incarceration in the United States: Exploring causes and consequences.
