The Future of Drug Policy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Future of Drug Policy - Assignment Example The use of drugs and alcohol in North Dakota was said to be very high in 2005 and 2006. Marijuana was the most commonly used drug in the state in 2010. Thus there are many measures taken to establish policies for controlling drug use and drug prohibition. Prescription drug use is becoming a big problem for the whole nation. There is a national prescription drug usage prevention plan which restricts prescription usage by monitoring programs, promoting and recommending safer and more convenient disposal methods to dispose unneeded medicines from homes, and spreading education and awareness for the healthcare providers and patients. The prescription drug monitoring program in North Dakota became operational in 2008. The states were also encouraged to adopt Per Se standards for impairment making it illegal to drive after the use of illegal drugs. However, North Dakota doesn’t have a Per Se standard as yet but its law states that a person is not allowed to drive under the influence any drug which makes the person incapable of driving safely. In North Dakota possession of less than half ounce of illegal substance is punishable by a fine of $1,000 and sentence of maximum 30 days while possessing less than half an ounce while driving a motor vehicle is punishable by a 1 year sentence maximum and a fine of $1,000. Possession of up to 500 grams is punishable under a sentence of 5 years maximum and a fine of $5,000. Possession of more than 500 grams of marijuana is punishable by 10 years of maximum sentence and a fine of $10,000. Similarly, the sale of marijuana may also lead to severe punishments of up to 20 years of imprisonment which increases as the intensity of the offense increases.