Werb et al. (2011), in their article Effect of Drug Law Enforcement on Drug Market Violence, carry out a systematic analysis of the impact of law enforcement on violence in drug markets. In a well-organized segmented paper, the authors introduce the topic, describe the research approach, methodology, data analysis, results, and recommendation. The authors introduce the topic by citing pertinent aspects of crime eminent in drug markets. While violence was initially perceived as an end outcome of drug abuse, changing trends signify that it is a technique used by gangs or cartels to gain market share and control the niche they operate in. It is critical to note that gang violence has dire implications on security aspects in different neighborhoods. The end outcome of violent activities by such groups is often violent assault and homicide cases. Another critical factor that the authors emphasize in the background section of the paper is the interdependence between drug law enforcement and illicit drug use and trading related violence. The significant increase in drug market violence and deaths in Mexico after the introduction of the anti-narcotic campaign exemplifies the above. The different data collection methodologies used include extraction, data synthesis, and systematic searching. Using keywords, the authors carried out a comprehensive search in academic databases and credible search engines. Because of limited information about the topic, the authors also used sources that are not peer-reviewed to conduct research. Data analysis was carried out based on PRISMA guidelines (Werb et al., 2011). Subsequently, the authors categorized findings based on the type of study carried out. During the presentation of reports from various studies, measures of association were focused on. The authors opine the possibility of bias through literature review because of underreporting in studies that look into critical law enforcement and the influence on violence. After analyzing empirical data using regression analysis techniques, the authors found out that there is a significant association between law enforcement and an increase in violent crimes in drug markets. Analysis of real-world data showed a 91% correlation between drug law enforcement levels and high crimes in the illicit drug markets. Afterward, in the discussion section, the authors argue that law enforcement has failed to reduce violent crimes related to illegal drugs' supply and use. A crackdown and attack on major cartels have in some significant cases resulted in fractured cartel networks, all of which fight to get a fair share and profits from the illegal market. The main argument presented by Werb et al. (2011) in their article Effect of Drug Law Enforcement on Drug Market Violence is that instead of deterring crime, drug law enforcement complicates the dynamics of illicit drug markets by fragmenting cartels and increasing the crime rate. The data analyzed by the author’s present evidence to support their stance. Of the eleven longitudinal quantitative analysis of the study's empirical data, only one study, which makes 9% of the study, was found to deviate from the findings that support the conclusion that increased law enforcement results in increased violence in drug markets. The implication of the study results is the need to find alternative approaches to controlling drug markets. There is also a need for security agencies to reduce the impact of such reinforcement on the general public. Given that 39% of homicides analyzed by the authors are as a result of restrictions of operation in the illicit drug market, there is a need for strategies to be put in place to ensure the influence of regulations and other undertakings in major drug markets do not affect the wellbeing of the general public(Werb et al., 2011). I believe the authors have done plausible work in testing their hypothesis through extensive data analysis. While I concur with the argument that stricter laws that influence the chains of control in the illicit drug market could result in increased criminal undertakings, I believe that through intelligence and better strategizing, it is possible to stage a war on such markets in a war that implications of such undertakings will not have a major influence on other stakeholders, for example the general public.
References
Werb, D., Rowell, G., Guyatt, G., Kerr, T., Montaner, J., & Wood, E. (2011). Effect of drug law enforcement on drug market violence: A systematic review. International Journal of Drug Policy , 22 (2), 87-94.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
