Prohibition (drugs)

The prohibition of drugs through legislation or religious law is a common means of controlling the perceived negative consequences of recreational drug use at a society- or world-wide level. Present-day attempts to enforce drug prohibition in the U.S. are frequently considered to be part of the ongoing War on Drugs instituted by President Richard Nixon in 1971.

Penalties

In the U.S., the penalty for illegal drug possession and sale can vary from 1 year to a life sentence. Most non-violent first time offenders guilty of drug possession get a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years with no parole, or 10 years with no parole if he has a large quantity of drugs. This prison time is doubled (10 or 20 years) if has been imprisoned for drug possession before. Selling drugs, carrying a gun during a drug transaction, and other factors add more prison time. Mandatory minimum sentence can be avoided in rare situations when the defendant helps authorities to turn in other defendants or qualifies for the 'safety valve', a program that can help non-violent first time offenders by sentencing under the sentencing guidelines instead. Maximum sentences can be up to a life sentence.

Related Topics:
U.S. - Parole - Life sentence

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In the U.S., the War on Drugs is causing a prison overcrowding problem. In 1996, 59.6% of prisoners were drug-related criminals. U.S. population grew by about +25% from 1980 to 2000. In that same 20 year time period, U.S. prison population tripled. To make room in prison for incoming drug users and dealers, all inmates, including violent criminals are having their sentences shortened or are being paroled early. This is why mandatory sentencing laws are being repealed.

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