POLITICAL SCIENCE 317
THE WAR ON DRUGS
SPRING, 2001

INSTRUCTOR:	William R. (Bill) Daniel
OFFICE:	130 Founders Hall
HOURS:	9:00-10:00, MWF, 9:00-10:00 Tu., 3:00-4:00, Th., or by apt.
PHONE:	826-3914
E-MAIL	wrd1@humboldt.edu
WEB SITE	http://www.humboldt.edu/~wrd1 add /psci317 for access to this page
TEXTS:	Lyman & Potter; Drugs In Society: Causes, Consequences and Control,3'rd ed. (Drugs) Inciardi, ed.; The Drug Legalization Debate (Debate)

In November of 2000 voters in California passed Proposition 36 by a substantial majority. This initiative mandates treatment, rather than incarceration, for first time non violent possessors of limit quantities of illicit drugs. Prop 36 comes on the heels of Prop 215, the Medical Marijuana Initiative. Arizona voters approved an even more comprehensive medical marijuana initiative and a number of other states have adopted less comprehensive measures, all over the objections of the federal government. These actions possibly are precursors to a shift in drug control policy in the United States.

With the passage of the Substance Abuse Control Act (1970) and a declaration of a "War on Drugs" by President Nixon (1971), the federal government gave recognition to the seriousness of drug abuse in the United States and launched policies which have sometimes superseded, sometimes supported, drug control activities by the states. The focus of this course will be the sometimes shifting combination of federal and state policies collectively known as "the War on Drugs." Our focus will be both historical and futuristic. We will consider the nature of the drug problem in the United States, current policies developed to deal with the problem, and how we got to where we are. Though virtually every one agrees that substance abuse is a significant problem, consensus as to how to best deal with the problem appears to be breaking down. Thus we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of current policies as well as possible alternatives to them. While there are certain "givens" regarding assessment of past and present policies our purpose here is to cut through current myths and prejudices which will lead to objective analysis.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to reading the texts (the best I could find given the purposes of this course,) you will be expected to seek out original documents, both printed and on-line, and view (in class) a number of excellent video tapes related to the subject matter. In addition, you will be expected to view the movie "Traffic." To sweeten the deal, attendance will come in lieu of class attendance for one day. (see below!) The 317 web page http://www.humboldt.edu/~wrd1/psci317.htm will have a number of links to essential source material, some of which will be assigned reading. Check the page often for updates.

Your grade in this course will be based on your performance on two hour exams (20% each), a term project (25%), a comprehensive final (30%), and participation, attendance & discussion (5%).
The exams will be in class and essay in nature. The final will be comprehensive. For the term project, you will join one of five groups representing specific alternative policies. These alternatives include:

• Prohibition
• harm reduction
• Medicalization
• legalization/regulation
• decriminalization

Specific definition of these terms are found in Inciardi, pp. 18-19. Each group will be divided into "pro's" and "con's." Each sub group will produce a "position paper" approximately 20 pages in length. Sub groups will decide by majority rule whether you wish to receive a "group" grade, pr an "individual" grade. If the latter choice is made, each individual will identify his/her on work. In each case, papers must display grammatical proficiency appropriate for an upper-division class and MUST be accompanied by foot/end notes and bibliography. The "Pro's" will debate the "Con's" in their respective groups in class toward the end of the semester. Participation is mandatory and will count for 5% of your grade.
The Office of National Drug Control PolicyThe Office of National Drug Control Policy