Writing Tips Format Changes Scholars, I would like to make ✓ Solved

Scholars, I would like to make a change to all of your future thesis page assignments. From now on please make your thesis statement the first sentence of your essay and your forecasting statement the second sentence of your essay. The first paragraph should consist of only two sentences: the thesis and the forecasting statement. The second paragraph should focus on the first point in your forecasting statement.

I understand that a 2-sentence paragraph is not usually a good practice, but for this assignment, I’d like to see you use this practice/format. My goal is to see every student learn to create a clear, strong thesis statement and a clear forecasting statement. Sometimes, when you are learning a new skill, it is important and necessary to unlearn some bad habits or unhelpful behaviors. I believe that focusing on a simpler 2-sentence introductory paragraph will help many of you achieve greater clarity and strength in your essays.

You do not have to comment on or develop all of the points in your forecasting statement. I suggest that you focus on supporting the first point in your forecasting statement. Another bad habit that I would love to see many of you kick is the habit of writing long, unclear sentences. The best sentences are clear and strong. A complete and correct sentence needs only two things: a subject and a verb.

As you write sentences make sure that you have a strong clear subject and verb. Examples of simple, yet complete sentences: Tarzan learned to read and write by himself. The apes took care of Tarzan as a child. He outgrew their way of thinking. Jane did not understand Tarzan’s jungle mentality. British society seemed corrupt and cowardly to Tarzan.

Additional Notes: I am still seeing several people putting quotes around book titles. Please italicize book titles and all Shakespearean play titles. New Submission format: One detail that would make grading and organizing of your work more streamlined involves titles and naming. Save your work and upload it to Blackboard in the following way: Your Last Name and Title of Text and Assignment Abbreviation (e.g., Jones Tarzan Thesis Page).

This assignment is an essay assignment of 2 questions, 3 pages each, to test knowledge and assimilation of the course objectives. Answer each of the following questions. Be sure to use five or more sources to support your arguments, and use the proper citation format. Question 1 – Available drugs, DTOs, trafficking methods: Explain the primary traffickers and routes for each of the 5 major illicit drugs available in the United States (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and MDMA). Question 2 – U.S. and international policies, strategies, and objectives: Compare the objectives of the UN drug control treaties and that of the United States drug laws; include the policies and strategies that support the objectives of each.

Submit the assignment in a Word document and upload it into Assignments. Students will follow Chicago Style as the sole citation and reference style used within this course. All written submissions should be in Times New Roman 12pt font with 1-inch margins, typewritten in double-spaced format. Graduate-level work is expected to be free of grammar, usage, and style errors.

Paper For Above Instructions

In examining the dynamics of drug trafficking in the United States, it is crucial to understand the primary traffickers and routes of the five major illicit drugs: cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and MDMA. This analysis provides a contextual backdrop for drawing comparisons between U.S. drug laws and UN drug control treaties to understand the global and national priorities in combatting drug-related issues.

Cocaine remains a significant substance in the U.S. drug market, primarily trafficked by Colombian cartels. These cartels control the production and distribution of cocaine, with key trafficking routes traversing through Central America into Mexico before reaching the United States. In 2020, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that Colombian traffickers supplied about 90% of the cocaine available in the U.S. (DEA, 2020). Meanwhile, heroin, predominantly sourced from Mexico and Colombia, also uses similar routes for distribution (Finklea, 2021). The rise of fentanyl, often mixed with heroin, has transformed the heroin market by increasing its lethality (Bachhuber, 2019).

Marijuana, once a primary focus of law enforcement, has seen a dramatic shift with legalization efforts across several states contributing to a complex legal framework. The trafficking of marijuana is less centralized than cocaine or heroin, with various smaller networks operating domestically and internationally (Kilmer et al., 2010). Methamphetamine originates mainly from Mexico, with its manufacture growing significantly due to the increased availability of precursor chemicals and advanced manufacturing techniques (Meyer, 2019). Lastly, MDMA, often associated with club culture, is also predominantly trafficked by European criminal organizations. The synthesis of MDMA is prevalent in Belgium and the Netherlands before it crosses the Atlantic into the U.S. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2021).

The second question calls for an exploration of the objectives of U.S. drug laws compared to those of the UN drug control treaties. The UN treaties primarily aim to establish a framework for international cooperation and the control of drugs, focusing on the reduction of drug dependence and trafficking (Cohen, 2018). In contrast, U.S. drug laws are often criticized for being punitive rather than rehabilitative, emphasizing incarceration over treatment options. The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 established a scheduling system for drugs but did not adequately address public health concerns (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2021).

While both the U.S. and UN frameworks seek to reduce drug abuse and trafficking, their methods diverge significantly. The UN places a stronger emphasis on human rights and public health, advocating for harm reduction strategies globally (Global Commission on Drug Policy, 2016). In contrast, U.S. policies have historically leaned towards stricter enforcement and criminalization, resulting in disparities in the application of these laws across different demographic groups (Alexander, 2010). This punitive approach has led to ongoing debates regarding the effectiveness of such strategies in combatting drug-related issues.

In conclusion, the comparison between the trafficking methods of major drugs and the juxtaposition of U.S. drug laws against UN drug control treaties reveals significant themes of disparity and approach. Recognizing the different methodologies and ideals behind these approaches may provide insights into reform and improved policies that could combatively address ongoing drug crises while promoting health-oriented strategies.

References

• Alexander, Michelle. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Bachhuber, Mark A. (2019). “Medical Consequences of Opioid Use.” American Journal of Public Health, 109(3), 329-335.
• Cohen, H. (2018). “The UN Drug Control System: A Guide to the 2016 and 2018 Reviews.” International Journal of Drug Policy, 55, 1-6.
• DEA. (2020). 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment. Drug Enforcement Administration.
• Finklea, Kirsten. (2021). “Heroin and Prescription Opioid Abuse.” Congressional Research Service.
• Global Commission on Drug Policy. (2016). Advancing Drug Policy Reform: A New Approach to Drug Policy. Global Commission on Drug Policy.
• Kilmer, Beau, et al. (2010). “Reducing Drug Trafficking: The Role of Treatment.” Journal of Drug Issues, 40(3), 641-663.
• Meyer, K. (2019). “The Rising Meth Crisis: A Reemergence of Methamphetamine Consumption in America.” Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 14(1), 15.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). “Is the Drug Problem Getting Better or Worse?” NIDA.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). World Drug Report 2021. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.