Abstract
This paper examines two research articles (Foreign nationals and Drug Smuggling" by Fenlon, Frost, Harper, 1999 and SPAWN HQ "Criminal Intelligence") on the illicit drug trade in regards to Britain and Canada's borders. This paper then goes on to examine a study also carried out by the RCMP that looks at the drug problem in Canada as of 2007, and answers the following question: is Canada a key player in the drug trade business?

From the Paper
''The most popular trafficked drug British researchers are finding getting across the border is cocaine followed closely by cannabis. Cocaine is worth more than marijuana therefore class A is the name given to cocaine and class B drugs refers to cannabis (Fenlon, Frost, Harper, 1999). Fenlon, Frost, and Harper (1999), found that of the 1,715 drug traffickers arrested males were overrepresented in trafficking class A drugs where as females were found carrying class B.
''A similar study called project SPAWN took place in Canada's largest airports. Project SPAWN took place between January 2005 and August 2007, and used various resources from The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), municipal police departments, intelligence collected from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and the Canadian border services agency (CBSA) (Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2007).''

Tags:importation, smugglers, marijuana

Abstract
This paper discusses the legalization of marijuana. The author believes that benefits of legalization will outweigh the negatives: less crime, fewer jail cells and prisoners, better utilization of law enforcement officers, fewer deaths from impure substances, and millions of victims suffering from illnesses and diseases would be put to an end.

From the Paper
"Illegal drugs are a major influential force in our country today. The problem has gotten so out of hand that many options are being considered to control or even solve it. Ending the war on drugs is seemingly impossible as Richard L. Miller wrote, "Drug problems cannot be ended, but they can be reduced by accepting drugs as part of the American heritage, by finding ways to bring them within normal lifestyles rather than converting users into outcasts and outlaws" (139). It is now evident that different options need to be considered. The legalization of marijuana is an option that has not gotten a chance, but should definitely be given one. Although many people feel that legalizing marijuana may lead to increase the use of substance and further increase problems in society, legalization could in fact be more beneficial than harmful. Actually, there are several benefits with the legalization of marijuana and some of which include: making our streets and homes safer, increasing the economy's revenue, putting an end to prison overcrowding, saving our tax money, crippling organized crime, promoting health and safety, reducing official corruption, and using marijuana for medicinal purposes."

Tags:pot, weed

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth look at why marijuana's use for medical application is a purpose important enough to legalize the substance with pharmaceutical control by the government. The author examines scientific and historical background of marijuana, and the lack of public information on marijuana.

Outline
Medical marijuana use.
Ancient use of marijuana
Marijuana used for religion and other things.
Facts about marijuana.
Research on marijuana's potential abuse.
Lack of public information on marijuana
"Legal" drugs abuse
Media hype of marijuana
Ethnic tendency towards abuse
Marijuana and cancer chemotherapy
Marijuana and AIDS
Other medical uses of marijuana
Enough medical research.
Cannabis research
AIDS patients and marijuana.
Medical marijuana activists
Voters in favor of legalizing marijuana in many states.
Positive medical applications of cannabis.
Many countries have legalized medicinal marijuana.

From the Paper
"Marijuana has been known for centuries and played a significant role in human history, being used for religious ceremonies, rope, medicine and recreation, among other registered uses. An enormous amount of hypothesis has been developed concerning other uses, or consequences of using dope. Mythologies from many countries speak of numberless gods and deids. It is possible many of these gods were imagined or seen by shaman or oracles that were under the influences of drugs. Cannabis use was mentioned in the fours Vedas (from India), one of the oldest religious manuscripts (Harrison, 70). Such Reginald Campbell and R Everett offer a general overview of marijuana in Substance Abuse in Workplace: " The most common form of marijuana found in the U.S. is Cannabis Sativa... There are about 421 known chemicals in the plant... but the active chemical is believed to be the tetrahydro-cannabinols (THC), oils possessing physiological activity... Some symptoms of marijuana intoxication include confusion, euphoria, hallucinations, hunger, red eyes, ego-inflation, dry mouth, excessive laughing and coma" (42-43). Marijuana intoxication is said to last two to three hours, but the ingredient delta-9-tetrahydro -cannabinol can accumulate in brain and testes tissues (Hubbard, Franco, Onaivi, 1999). Marijuana, pot or weed, among other names, has a variety of practical uses. Hemp is used to built cords and even clothing. There are a number of websites on the Internet that offer a variety of products made out of hemp. Sadly, it is to blame that such a helpful herb be considered illegal due to the bad nature and unconsciousness of humans."

Tags:cancer, effects, legalization, marijuana, medical, hemp, aids, chemotherpay, fda, ms, cannabis, medicine, drug, smoke

Abstract
This paper argues in favor of the legalization of marijuana. The author provides a detailed discussion about the positive aspects of legalizing marijuana and supports his argument by comparing the side effects of marijuana to alcohol and tobacco that are legalized.

From the Paper
"Although many people might believe that marijuana is harmful to our health, marijuana is non-toxic and never harms your brain or other organs ("Marijuana"), and, substantially, the only heath risk of marijuana is respiratory damage from smoking it (Zimmer 172). But, the damage from smoking marijuana is probably much less harmful than from smoking tobacco since the effects of marijuana last longer than that of tobacco, and marijuana smokers don't smoke as much as tobacco smokers do ("Marijuana")."

Tags:blunt, caffeine, cocaine, drug, grass, legalization, legalize, lsd, medical, myth, pot, smoke, use, weed

Abstract
This paper relates the life history of former Gambino Captain, Angelo Ruggiero, focusing primarily on his voluminous and disastrous words and how his inability to remain quiet cost the then Gambino boss, Paul Castellano, his life. The writer describes how the boy Angelo, born into extreme poverty, became friendly with John Gotti in a street gang, the Fulton-Rockaway boys. This friendship led to Angelo's introduction to the Fatico crew and to his and Gotti's participation in a killing ordered by Carlo Gambino. After serving a four-year prison sentence, both were formally inducted into the Gambino family, whose vicissitudes are related in detail. To keep the Gambino family afloat, drug-dealing became a major source of income, and Angelo's activities in this field drew the attention of the FBI who bugged his telephone and were thus able to secure convictions based on his conversations.

From the Paper
"From an early age, Gambino boss John Gotti was close friends to a young Italian lad, by the name of Angelo Ruggiero. Known by the street name of Quack-Quack (in recognition of his slightly odd pigeon toed walk) but more in recognition of his inability to stop talking. Silence it would appear was an anathema to the young Ruggiero, he had to say something, anything. When his mouth was in motion, his sense of discretion was notably lacking. There were no secrets in
the Ruggiero household, once young Angelo knew about them, so did everyone else."

Tags:NYPD, Charley Wagons, DellaCroce, prison time, Harlem drugs heroin, Bergin Connection, Brooklyn

Abstract
This paper delves into the Reefer Madness campaign and how it shaped the perception of marijuana and its users for decades. The paper explains that the racism of a misguided campaign still remains in the minds of those who experienced the reefer madness hysteria, and is a prime example of a bias in communication. Music's influence on the issue is also discussed. The author stresses the importance of fact selection, story development, and preconceived notions of subject matter in journalism, and defines how counter cultures can develop as a result of biased reporting.

Outline:

Introduction
Marijuana in the Media
Counter Culture and the Bias of Communication

From the Paper
"Smoking marijuana became defined as a social problem in the late 1910s and early 1920s. Early reports of a drug being carried across the border by Mexican immigrants surfaced in the South Western United States1. The drug spread through other low income workers that were mostly Black and soon the drug was almost solely viewed as the vice of colored men who desired nothing more than to hurt young white women. Border towns were the first to adopt any form prohibition law against the drug as a measure of controlling immigrant workers. In 1914 El Paso, Texas became one of the first cities to ban the sale and possession of the drug.
"Other states facing large numbers of Black and Mexican laborers that used the drug began to prohibit the drug. In 1915 California drafted laws, as did Louisiana in 1924 and New York in 1927."

Tags:marijuana, hemp, journalism

Abstract
This paper researches the use of heroin. It reports that this highly addictive and often fatal drug was first developed in the 19th century from morphine and its abuse has become prevalent in North American society. It explains the effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and a feeling euphoria and reports that tolerance can develop to the drug, and if not treated an individual can die or go into a coma.

From the Paper
"Heroin, also known by street names such as "ferry dust", "smack", "brown sugar" and "junk," is the most abused and rapidly acting of the opiates. In its purest form, heroin is a white, fluffy powder with a bitter taste. Most illicit heroin ranges in color from white to dark brown due to the impurities from the manufacturing process as well as additives. Heroin also comes in a dark sticky substance commonly known as "black tar heroin." While injection remains the predominant method of use for addicted users, sniffing and smoking heroin, especially among younger users, is rapidly on the rise."

Tags:abuse, addiction, drug, drugs, heroin, history, psychology

Abstract
This paper explores the development of the heroin industry in Afghanistan, its key players, the forms of political corruption, smuggling routes and interventions applied. The paper shows why controlling the drug industry in Central and Eastern Asia is an insurmountable task and posits that collaboration and commitment by the bordering countries of Afghanistan is required to strategically thwart the transfer of drugs to other countries. The paper also believes that hitting the industry economically is the only means of reducing the production and trafficking of heroin.

From the Paper
"Afghanistan is an impoverished country, devastated from thirty years of war, prolonged drought, malnutrition, low life expectancy, and epidemic levels of HIV. It has created, and become, economically dependent upon a multi-billion dollar transnational heroin production, refining, and trafficking industry. In order to protect the industry, its political institution, which is completely corrupt and headed by drug lords, is alienated from and foreign to the contexts of mainstream political systems. Afghanistan has forcefully infiltrated surrounding countries as a means of forging smuggling pathways to Russia, Europe, and other global domains."

Tags:opium, drugs, corruption, war, lords, smuggling

Abstract
This paper briefly examines heroin trafficking and how the staggering wealth that could be gained from drug trafficking was more than enough to make the Mafia's collective mouth water. As a result, beginning even before prohibition ended, more and more Mafiosi were trafficking in drugs, and earning an obscene amount of money in the process. The paper looks at some of the more memorable gangsters such as Carmine Galante and John 'The Enforcer' Papalia and some of the more famous operations such as the French Connection.

From the Paper
"The list of Mafiosi who have fallen afoul whilst trafficking in narcotics comprises a veritable 'Who's who' in the Mafia World. Despite the 'official' ban on Mafiosi dealing in narcotics, the plain reality is that everybody who was anybody in the US Mafia was into drugs, some being more discrete about it than others. Those who were caught, were usually murdered, or in the case of Joe Valachi, Henry Hill, Sal Vitale, Joe Massino and Anthony Casso, became informers to save their skins.
The truth behind the drug trade is simple. It is too profitable for the Mafia to ignore. For example in a two month period in 1979, Angelo Ruggiero (a Captain in the Gambino family) made over two Million dollars. The black drug lord Frank Lucas made over 250 Million from Heroin trafficking in the period from 1968 to 1975."

Tags:heroin, trafficking, Carmine, Galante

Abstract
This paper outlines the history of Canadian narcotics legislation as it pertains to marijuana. It then outlines arguments both for and against legalization or decriminalization while assessing the harm or good that this could cause.

Introduction
Marijuana A Brief History
The Plant in Canada
Drug Laws
An Examination of Proposed Changes to Canadian Marijuana Laws
Pros And Cons
Decriminalization
Legalization
Maintaining the Status Quo
Legalization or Decriminalization? Personal Reflections
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"There has been much talk and speculation as of late that Canada is ready to change its marijuana policy. Following the lead of such countries as Spain and England, it appears that Canada has been seriously considering either decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana possession. There are many arguments against and for such a move. Many against a change to marijuana policy feel that undertaking such a step would lead to increased usage, especially among young people. Those in favor feel that changing marijuana policy is a timely idea that will actually lead to decreased usage: marijuana could be treated as a public health issue as opposed to a criminal act, thereby allowing the government to set up health education programs in an attempt to deter its use. This approach has worked for tobacco and alcohol. This paper is going to look at the pros and the cons of a change in Canadian law in terms of its effect on organized crime. The nature and structure of the Canadian marijuana trade will be examined in order to see what benefits, if any a decriminalization or legalization move would provide. Before this can be done, the current drug law must be examined as it pertains to marijuana."

Tags:pot, weed, crime, narcotics, drug, law