Action Memorandum.edited
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Karatina University *
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Nov 24, 2024
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1
Action Memorandum
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
Course Name
Professor Name
Date
2
Action Memorandum
To: Jill Andrew, Constituency office
From: [Your Name]
Subject: Policy Recommendation for the Decriminalization of Drug Use
Date: November 1, 2023
Executive Summary:
Drawing upon a comprehensive evaluation of success metrics, comparative analysis, social
impact studies, public health research, and the imperative for further advancements, this
memorandum puts forth a policy shift advocating for the decriminalization of drug use.
Consistent with academic and empirical evidence, it explains why decriminalization is an
advantageous strategy for tackling drug use from social, economic, and health risks.
3
Introduction:
Based on the comprehensive analysis conducted during the [Course Name], led by [Professor
Name] at [Institution Affiliation], it is apparent that there is a pressing need for reform in existing
drug regulations. Implementing drug decriminalization measures has yielded favorable results in
several jurisdictions, thereby warranting serious consideration as a prominent agenda item within
our policy framework.
Policy Recommendation:
The Jurisdiction/Government Entity should implement a policy to decriminalize drug possession
and usage for personal purposes, with comprehensive public health and educational initiatives.
Rationale for Modification:
The decriminalization of drug use, as observed in Portugal, exhibits a positive association with
reduced drug-related death rates, hence potentially contributing to improved public health
outcomes (Public Health Degrees, 2021).
The implementation of decriminalization policies has been found to contribute to the mitigation
of stigma associated with drug use, as well as a reduction in racial disparities in arrests (Scheim
et al., 2020).
According to Hammond et al. (2019), there is potential for economic efficiency through the
reallocation of resources and reduction of incarceration costs by transitioning from punitive to
rehabilitative measures.
Key Points Supporting the Policy Change:
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Insufficient Evidence to Support the Notion of Heightened Drug Use: Existing research fails to
provide solid evidence that decriminalization policies result in elevated drug consumption, hence
challenging assertions that decriminalization may exacerbate the problem.
The necessity of targeted education and prevention measures arises from concerns about the
normalization of drug use among teenagers, as highlighted by Osbourne (2022).
The assessment of successful policy implementation should encompass a holistic approach,
considering health results, economic savings, and better social indicators following the
decriminalization process.
The worldwide issue of drug use necessitates a collective effort and collaboration among nations
to address this challenge effectively. This requires international cooperation and exchanging
knowledge and experiences among countries (Vicknasingam et al., 2018).
Actions for Consideration:
Propose the Implementation of a Decriminalization Policy: Present a model law aimed at
decriminalizing personal drug use while concurrently upholding stringent regulations against
drug trafficking and illegal distribution.
The proposition at hand advocates for allocating resources toward public health initiatives. There
is a need to allocate additional financial resources and provide enhanced assistance to substance
misuse treatment centers and harm reduction programs.
The implementation of comprehensive drug education programs is crucial in mitigating the
initiation of drug use, particularly among the younger population.
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Advocate for allocating resources towards community development programs in regions that
have been disproportionately affected by the implementation of drug enforcement laws.
Implementing a comprehensive framework for continuous research and monitoring is important
to assess the enduring effects of decriminalization.
Conclusion
The decriminalization of drug use is consistent with a contemporary and empathetic approach to
drug policy that emphasizes public health, economic rationality, and social equity. The policy
move under discussion merits careful evaluation and allocation of resources, given its potential
to generate significant-good outcomes across various domains.
Call to Action:
In my capacity as [Your Title/Position], I strongly propose that Jill Andrew consider this
recommendation carefully. The statement encapsulates not just the prevailing agreement among
scholars resulting from academic discourse but also the forward-thinking trend towards globally
implemented drug policy frameworks that are both more efficient and compassionate.
Attachments:
Comparative Analysis Findings
Social Impact Report
Policy and Public Health Data
Success Metrics Framework
Recommendations for Future Progress
6
Prepared by:
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
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References:
Hammond, A. S., Dunn, K. E., & Strain, E. C. (2019). Drug Legalization and Decriminalization
Beliefs Among Substance-using and Nonusing Individuals.
Journal of Addiction
Medicine
,
14
(1), 1.
https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000000542
Osbourne, N. (2022, February 18).
Decriminalization of Drug Possession
. American Addiction
Centers.
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/decriminalization-of-drug-possession
Public Health Degrees. (2021, December 16).
The Decriminalization of Drugs and Public
Health
. Public Health Degrees.
https://www.publichealthdegrees.org/resources/drugs-
decriminalization-and-public-health/
Scheim, A. I., Maghsoudi, N., Marshall, Z., Churchill, S., Ziegler, C., & Werb, D. (2020). Impact
evaluations of drug decriminalization and legal regulation on drug use, health, and social
harms: a systematic review.
BMJ Open
,
10
(9), e035148.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-
2019-035148
Vicknasingam, B., Narayanan, S., Singh, D., & Chawarski, M. (2018). Decriminalization of drug
use.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
,
31
(4), 300–305.
https://doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000429