A CALL TO CONGRESS TO GIVE BACK THE FUTURE: END THE “WAR ON DRUGS” AND ENCOURAGE STATES TO RECONSTRUCT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

While the “War on Drugs” has been criticized in many respects, there has been little attention given to the detrimental impact it has had on children. Fortunately, both state and federal governments are recognizing the problem and have begun taking steps to combat the negative effects the “War on Drugs” has had on children. More work however, still needs to be done. This Note advocates for Congress to amend the Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention Act to induce states to offer rehabilitation to nonviolent youth drug offenders, rather than incarceration, which will reduce incarceration and its detrimental effect on children, promote public safety and save money. As a funding stipulation, the amendment will require states to develop and implement deinstitutionalization programs for nonviolent juvenile drug offenders.