“[The War on Drugs] has created a multibillion-dollar black market, enriched organized crime groups, and promoted the corruption of government officials across the world,” noted Eric Schlosser in his essay, “A People's Democratic Platform,” in which he presents a case for the decriminalization of controlled substances. Schlosser identifies some of the crippling side effects of the current drug policy put in place by the Richard Nixon administration in the 1970s to prohibit drug use and the resulting violence and destruction. Ironically, not only is drug use more prevalent than ever, but drug-related crime has also become a staple of our society. Indeed, this essay argues that the current drug criminalization policy has fostered a steady increase in crime over recent decades. Controlled substances have a higher price tag, which means addicts have to pay more for the drugs. This drives many to commit crimes, such as theft and prostitution, to support their addiction. Gore Vidal in his piece “Drugs: A Case for Legalizing Marijuana” puts it succinctly: “If there were no money for the mob, there would be no friendly drug dealers, and drug addicts wouldn't commit crimes to pay for their next fix.” When in the 1970s the government criminalized drugs, introduced high prices to compensate for the increased risk associated with selling drugs Gary Becker and Kevin Murphy call this the “war on drugs paradox” in their essay “Have we lost the war on drugs? ” Because of the risk of incarceration, drug dealers charge more from customers to compensate for that risk. It's the same principle that makes every illegal drug so expensive and smugglers so rich. Driven by the high costs of supplying drugs... half the paper. .. and by the corruption of government officials around the world." The reasons are clear: profit and power. Powerful drug cartels often join forces with law enforcement for a cut of profits and, in turn, aid and abet the cartels' illicit activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, gang violence, gangs, extortion and blackmail. In conclusion, the criminalization of some drugs perpetuates crime rather than deters it. Drug addicts end up committing crimes to pay for drugs due to their high cost, drug addicts and dealers have no choice but to turn to a life of crime if they are incarcerated, drug cartels break laws to maintain power and, the More often than not, even police officials are attracted by the high profit margins of drug trafficking. By criminalizing drug use, we are creating a vicious cycle of crime that is undermining the very purpose of this policy.