The document argues that current U.S. drug laws are having more negative effects on society than drugs themselves. It notes that drug use has dropped in the past decade, especially among teens, but non-violent drug offenders make up over 20% of the federal prison population. First time drug offenders also serve longer sentences on average than those convicted of kidnapping, burglary or sex abuse. Keeping prisoners is also very expensive, with the U.S. having the highest incarceration rate in the world. The argument is that reconsidering attitudes toward drug users could cost society less than the current approach.

1. Consider the following argument: There are many arguments for
the elimination or modification of current U. S. drug laws, but
one of the most persuasive involves what negative effects drug
laws are having on society in comparison with the effects of the
drugs themselves. In the past ten years, most forms of drug use
have dropped significantly, especially among teens. Despite
this, non-violent drug offenders accounted for 21.1 percent of
the federal prison population. First time drug offenders serve,
on average, a sentence three months longer than kidnappers,
nine months longer than burglars, and thirty-three months
longer than sex abusers. In 1992, the average cost of keeping an
inmate in either state or federal prison was about $20,000 per
prisoner per year. The United States has the highest
incarceration rate in the world, with 455 prisoners per 100,000
population. It is maintaining these prisoners at great expense in
an environment where they are unlikely to develop a socially
constructive attitude. Perhaps it is time that we reconsider our
attitudes toward those who choose to use drugs; failure to do so
may cost society even more than it already has.
Determine whether or not the argument uses any deceptive
statistics. Give your opinion on whether or not the argument has
persuaded you. Explain why or why not.
Determine the primary ways in which statistics or authority are
used in your current position in developing persuasive
arguments, and provide examples of such use.