“The “War on Drugs” is unwinnable”: Critically discuss this statement with reference to supply-control
efforts and the evolution of the broader drugs market.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Unwinnable “War on Drugs”: A Critical Examination of Supply-Control Efforts and the Drugs Market Evolution
Introduction
The “War on Drugs” has been a long-standing global initiative aimed at reducing drug production, distribution, and consumption. However, there is a growing consensus among scholars and experts that this war is unwinnable. This essay critically examines the statement by focusing on the supply-control efforts and the evolution of the broader drugs market.
Supply-Control Efforts: An Endless Pursuit
One of the main pillars of the “War on Drugs” has been supply-control efforts, which primarily focus on disrupting drug production and distribution networks. These efforts involve interdiction, eradication, and law enforcement operations. However, history has shown that despite significant investments in resources, these efforts have had limited success.
Cat-and-Mouse Game: As law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts to curtail drug production and trafficking, drug cartels and criminal organizations adapt by diversifying their operations, finding new routes, and developing more sophisticated methods. This constant evolution makes it challenging for authorities to maintain an upper hand.
Balloon Effect: Supply-control efforts in one region often lead to displacement of drug production or trafficking to other areas. The “balloon effect” refers to the phenomenon where suppressing drug activities in one region simply results in their expansion elsewhere. This demonstrates the futility of trying to eradicate drugs through supply-control measures alone.
Corruption and Infiltration: The profits generated by the illegal drug trade create powerful incentives for corruption and infiltration within law enforcement agencies and governments. This hampers supply-control efforts as those responsible for enforcing drug laws may become complicit, undermining the effectiveness of these measures.
Evolution of the Broader Drugs Market: Unpredictable Forces
Another reason why the “War on Drugs” is deemed unwinnable is the complex and ever-evolving nature of the drugs market itself. The market dynamics are influenced by various factors that hinder effective supply-control strategies.
Market Resilience: The demand for illicit drugs remains persistent despite supply-control efforts. This resilience is fueled by factors such as addiction, social and economic disparities, mental health issues, and cultural factors. As long as demand persists, the drugs market will find ways to adapt and meet it.
Innovation and Technology: The drugs market has evolved with advancements in technology, enabling new methods of production, distribution, and communication among drug networks. Darknet marketplaces and encrypted communication channels have facilitated the sale and transportation of drugs, making it increasingly difficult for law enforcement to track and intercept them.
Economic Factors: The illegal drug trade generates enormous profits, estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. This economic incentive ensures that there will always be individuals willing to take risks and participate in drug production or trafficking. The profitability of the market makes it resilient to supply-control efforts.
Alternative Approaches
Given the challenges associated with supply-control efforts and the evolution of the drugs market, it is crucial to consider alternative approaches to address substance abuse and related harms:
Harm Reduction Strategies: Shifting the focus from punitive measures to harm reduction strategies can help mitigate the negative consequences associated with drug use. This includes promoting access to treatment, education, safe injection sites, and needle exchange programs.
Prevention and Education: Investing in prevention programs that address the root causes of drug abuse, such as poverty, social inequality, and mental health issues, can be more effective in reducing demand than solely focusing on supply control.
Regulation and Legalization: The regulation and legalization of certain drugs, particularly those with proven medical benefits, have shown promise in reducing illicit market activities while ensuring consumer safety. Examples include the legalization of cannabis in some jurisdictions.
Conclusion
The statement that the “War on Drugs” is unwinnable holds merit when examining supply-control efforts and the evolution of the drugs market. The constant adaptation by criminal organizations, displacement of drug activities, corruption within law enforcement agencies, and resilience of the drugs market make a conclusive victory elusive. It is essential to explore alternative approaches that prioritize harm reduction, prevention, education, and regulation to address substance abuse effectively. A shift towards a more comprehensive and nuanced approach will better serve public health and societal well-being in combating drug-related issues.
