2 Drug-Caused Deaths in the United States Name Institution Professor Due Date

2

Drug-Caused Deaths in the United States

Name

Institution

Professor

Due Date

Deaths Caused by Drugs in the United States

This field research will investigate deaths caused by drugs in the United States across various levels, from local neighborhoods to the national scale. The focus will be on how illegal drug sales by street gangs and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) affect public safety, healthcare systems, and the overall well-being of citizens. By examining the social issues arising from drug addiction, gang violence, and resource strain, this study aims to shed light on the multifaceted challenges posed by this national issue.

Local Level:

Street gangs are a significant source of income through illegal drug trafficking, contributing to local crime rates and threatening community safety.

Increased drug addiction can lead to social issues like homelessness, poverty, and strained social services (Wilson, 2011).

Gang-related violence associated with drug trafficking creates a sense of fear and insecurity within local neighborhoods.

Regional Level:

Regional gang alliances, particularly with Mexican TCOs, expand control over drug trafficking and criminal activities, influencing the distribution of illicit drugs in the region (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2017).

Drug trafficking networks operated by different criminal organizations can establish strongholds in specific regions, impacting law enforcement efforts and community well-being.

National Level:

Colombian Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) are in control of cocaine production and supply at the international level, which has a direct implication for the United States, as a significant amount of illicit drugs is trafficked from there. Mexico’s TCOs pose the greatest threat to the USA from the drug trade, as they maintain control of drug cultivation, production, and transportation across the country (Wilson, 2011).

Impact on the national healthcare system due to increased cases of drug poisoning, leading to higher healthcare costs and resource allocation for treating addiction-related issues.

Drug-related deaths strain law enforcement resources and judicial systems and contribute to the overall burden on the criminal justice system (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2017).

Understanding the implications of drug-caused deaths at these various levels is essential for developing targeted interventions, policies, and programs to address the multifaceted challenges posed by drug trafficking and addiction in the United States. Here are some of the measures to be implemented to reduce drug usage and deaths.

Collaboration between local, state, tribal, and federal agencies: Enhances coordination to combat drug trafficking and abuse, reducing the rate of usage. National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) should be able to give a comprehensive strategic analysis of the risks that drug supply groups pose to society (Dirkse, 2021).

Policy formulation and resource allocation: Informed by strategic drug intelligence to address drug-related challenges effectively. Substance abuse leads to various health issues, addiction problems, and strain on healthcare systems.

References

Dirkse, J. (2021). THREAT ASSESSMENT. https://harder.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/harder-evo.house.gov/files/2021CVCHIDTAThreatAssessment_Unclassified.pdf

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2017). 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment. DEA. https://www.dea.gov/documents/2017/10/01/2017-national-drug-threat-assessment

Wilson, B. (2011). Submersibles and Transnational Criminal Organizations. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2019496