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In recent decades, Missouri has been a hotspot in the U.S. for production of methamphetamines (meth). Throughout the nation, meth addiction has been a serious drug problem. Lawmakers have have done little to fund legislation help meth addicts kick their addiction. In recent years, opioid addiction has accelerated and supplanted meth as the leading drug problem in Missouri. In stark contrast to the approach to meth abuse as well as marijuana and cocaine use, opioid addicts are being treated with compassion. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have united to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which accommodates treatment for people addicted to opioids, while meth addicts, for instance, are more likely to see the inside of a jail cell than a treatment and recovery center. If that premise is true, is it safe to say that even when it comes to drug addiction, class and race determine incarceration vs. treatment and compassion? ● NOTE: Missouri drug laws are currently somewhat indiscriminate, in that abuse of controlled substances such as meth, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana can lead to lengthy jail sentences and large fines, even for a first offense. Penalties are much greater when there are related charges of distribution of a controlled substance or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. CARA, being federal law, makes changes related to opioid drug abuse. Marijuana Thousands of jails and prisons in the U.S. are overcrowded with drug offenders, many of them jailed for marijuana-related charges. According to U.S. News, marijuana arrests recently increased. In 2015, one person was arrested on charges associated with pot every 45 seconds. This study showed that about 90 percent of those arrests were for possession alone. Research overwhelmingly shows that the black community is disproportionately arrested and/or jailed in connection with marijuana. Meanwhile, recreational use of marijuana has been decriminalized in Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington; and advocates say at least 11 more states are getting close to doing the same. In addition, medical marijuana use is legal in 24 states. Vice News reported in a 2015 interview, President Barack Obama said the cost of incarceration is a huge motivation for the shift among the states to decriminalize cannabis. Providing assistance to offenders was not the apparent impetus for change. Meth Meth has been a focus of concern among lawmakers, but the efforts have involved making it harder for meth producers to access pseudoephedrine (PSE), which is a primary ingredient in sinus and allergy medications as well as methamphetamine. The Missouri legislature gave serious consideration only drug throughout the state, but considered far too high. In addition, primary source of PSE. According to Narcotics Officers Association, several and counties actually did require prescriptions the residents in the area simply went medication or meth supplies. Illinois to address the situation, halting the the over-the-counter drugs. According to law enforcement agencies were discovered in Missouri in 2012. 403 were discovered across the state. down meth labs are credited with the drug. Meth users were initially mostly male, Midwestern areas. There was more spread to the East Coast. Widespread common among unemployed adults Caucasians have abused meth in far race. As far as lawmakers taking aggressive users recover or avoid addiction, it because meth is a drug typically abused workers and the unemployed, meth not placated. A parent whose painful ravage their child would probably agree. Crack Cocaine Cocaine use has long been a drug has been somewhat stable since 2009, Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). highest rate of current cocaine use old, and a large number of users are million children 12 and older were to a 2014 study by NSDUH. The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news the U.S. criminal justice system, points differentiated from powder cocaine Anti-Drug Abuse Act. As a result, crack punished than users of powder cocaine. difference between the two forms of street-corner drug used predominantly with violence and illicit drugs. White expensive and a drug of choice among All of the Above versus Opioids For about the past 20 years, there prescription opioid addictions. Opioids accessHealthNews.net PAGE 6 V S .