If you have read the articles prior to this one, you have probably understood that it doesn't take a highly intelligent mind to formulate methods that can prevent the consumption and distribution of illegal drugs. Consequently, the steps to take in combating it are relatively simple, though it doesn’t mean to imply that it can be easy to implement.
By working hand in hand, the government and the people can:
Conduct regular, up-to-date symposiums
though some government sectors have been doing this already, it can be noticed that it is not done in a more frequent and regular basis. And if it is done, the information shared is not really up to date.
The usual conducted symposiums are mostly about the most common drugs and their most common effects. There's nothing wrong with that. However, it would be a lot better if other deeper facts are discussed as well:
New drug processing methods – by which possible suspects and aspiring sellers can be identified ahead of time.
Drug-syndicate culture – in order to understand how such groups are formed and how they can be prevented from establishing power.
Current statistical proof and evidence – showing factual figures to prove the seriousness of the problem and to monitor ongoing progress on the war on drugs.
By including such topics or those that are parallel to it, symposiums would not only be informative and relevant but lively and interesting as well.
Tap into modern technology to spread knowledge
Advertising is proven to be a powerful instrument in using a particular product. Since this is already an established and indisputable truth, then the government as well as its citizens should use it in the war on drugs.
People of all ages are using modern telecommunication devices to connect with each other and it is almost impossible to separate the young generation from their gadgets. Since this era is called the information age, modern approaches like the internet and computer software innovation should be employed to spread the evils of drug-addiction.
As of this writing, such a method is being done already, but nowhere near as the appeal and convincing power that the ads in TV and the world wide web are showing.
Today, even with simple computer programs and some online resources, anyone who has the urge to lend a helping hand in the purge of illegal-drug problems can create simple, yet appealing multimedia outputs.
If such creations can be made as attractive as the games children play and those that adults are so fond of, people can have the drug education that they need. They will have the sufficient knowledge without ever having the feeling of studying too much.
Include drug-awareness in the curriculum
As one of the most important social units, schools should include illegal-drug awareness into a fraction of their curriculum so that the young generation can be fully equipped with the knowledge they need so they can help in the war against drug-addiction. If some subjects that students find boring and irrelevant to their real lives are being included in their studies, why not include narcotics-awareness which is clearly relevant and useful?
Healing the Economy : Tending to the Environmental Wounds
Man has only three basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter. Obtaining and providing for these needs would have been simple and easy. Today however, it is easier said than done. Everywhere we look, hunger and poverty is rampant and prevalent– like fungus that would never go away.
Since people barely have something to eat and wear, and can't even have a durable-enough roofing that can keep them warm or shaded, they resort into criminality– a method that can give them the finances so they can feed themselves in the quickest manner possible or at least ease up their despair and boredom.
By the time they have already the financial means to fend for their needs, they find it hard, if not impossible to quit. This proves the saying that says: “All who gained power, are afraid to lose it.”
From a basic perspective, it might not be obvious at first that poverty is one of the seedlings where crime roots from. But whether you accept it or dismiss it, economical stability is a major factor in the rise and fall of criminality.
Since this has been a known fact, we can somehow rest upon the idea that focusing on economical healing can decrease crime rates. This of course includes the decrease of illegal drug-usage.
If every compassionate citizen would only listen to the inner voice that his or her own senses is dictating, most people would join the consensus that the country's failing economy can be basically healed by the following methods.
Most of these is actually the government's job. But since this country is a country “of the people” and “by the people,” ordinary citizens should join forces so that the following can be materialized:
Giving sufficient wages
In the Holy Bible, it is stated in Deuteronomy 24:15 that “You are to pay a laborer his wages each day before the sun sets, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be held guilty."
This indicates that refusing to give the worker his wages on time is something that God hates. If this is the case, then imagine how angry God would be if an employer would not only release delayed payroll but also refuse to provide ample salary that can sustain the worker's means of living?
All over the country, such an issue in various working establishments is very rampant. If we agree with the reasons of the rise of crime rates stated above, then we can easily believe that many employers are contributing to the rise of criminality.
To prevent this, they should “give to Caesar what is due to Caesar” or in this case, “the worker, what is due to the worker.”
Increasing funding on food and medicine
Among the three basic needs, food is considered to be the most important. This means that having good health is on a higher rank in the list of priorities of any individual. Armed with this knowledge, the government should increase funding on health-related issues, and spend less on not so important social aspects.
When food is cheaper, the health of the society can substantially improve thus diminishing the possibility of diseases. In addition, there is lesser temptation even for thieves to steal. And when medicine and hospitalization are also lowered in cost, the economy would be relatively healed.
Obliterating government corruption
In connection with the second method, there is a social disease that makes cheap food and medicine harder to implement– government corruption. While this problem has been around for many generations and can't be simply erased overnight, ordinary members of the society can work hand in hand by not engaging in corruption individually.
If only political leaders would have stronger will to do what is truly necessary, then the citizens would gradually follow and fight corruption to the point where it will fall out of style. Since this problem can't be easily solved, it needs the collaboration of this next method.
Taking and keeping only what you can consume
Currently inhabited by approximately 7 billion people, Planet Earth is fairly capable of sustaining up to 10 billion according to some statisticians. But why is there so much hunger and malnutrition?
The answer is simple, it is because most people eat more than they should, and gather more resources than they actually need. In effect, many less-fortunate individuals have barely something to eat.
The methods mentioned above may not be applicable to everyone since not everyone can be rich and influential to the society. But this method certainly is applicable to even the lowliest of individuals.
If you want to lend a hand in solving poverty and in stopping criminality, here is a crucial point for you to ponder: Never gather stuff that you can't even use or consume. By so doing, you will not only be sparing yourself from unwanted burden, but you are also sharing some beneficial resources to others.
