Terrorism Questions

Name
Class
Date
Professor

Title: Terrorism
Question: Can terrorism be adequately dealt with through the legislative process, such as with
the Patriot Act? Why or why not? Would you be willing to give up some of your rights to allow
law enforcement more latitude in dealing with terrorism? Why or why not? Support your
position.
The acts of international terrorists on 9/11 forever changed how the American government
approaches threats of terrorism both domestic and international. Currently legislation, such as the
USA Patriot Act, and the Department of Homeland Security have been effective in preventing
any further attacks by international terrorists within the United Sates as well as stopping most
domestic terrorists attempts. This is the result of the Patriot Act which broadened law
enforcements ability to pry into the private lives of citizens in order to develop the necessary
intelligence to stop terrorist threats (Ball, 2004). While the Patriot Act has been an effective tool
for developing the intelligence needed to identify and stop terrorist threats, the law is not without
conflict. The Patriot Act allows law enforcement to intrude into the private lives of citizens by
eavesdropping into their private communications as well as viewing private, digital
communications, such as email. The Patriot Act also expands presidential powers (Kashan,
2010). While many citizens would rather be safe from terrorism than be concerned with their
civil liberties being intruded upon this is a serious consequence of the Patriot Act. Not only does
the law allow intrusion into the private life and communications of the citizen it allows
suspected terrorists to be denied the civil liberties afforded all American citizens. This means
any American citizen suspected of terrorism, no real proof needed, can be detained without due
process. There is never a time when giving up civil liberties is a good idea. Every time the
government infringes on a citizen rights it becomes more and more oppressive. In order to
protect the ideals of the democratic society, civil liberties must be fiercely guarded.
Ball, H. (2004). The U.S. A. Patriot Act of 2001: Balancing Civil Liberties and National
Security: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif.
Kashan, S. (2010). The USA Patriot Act: Impacts on freedoms and Civil Liberties. ESSAI, 28(7):
86-89

Title: The Societal Impact of Drugs

Question : What drug (illegal or otherwise) causes the most societal damage?
All illicit drugs create damage to society but the drug that creates the greatest harm has to be
prescription drugs. While cocaine, crack, marijuana, heroin, etc. are extremely harmful they only
impact a small amount of the population. This is not the case with prescription drugs.

Prescriptions drugs are prescribed by a doctor but can also be obtained illegally. Prescription
drugs are dangerous because they can be readily obtained by a doctor or they can be found in the
medicine cabinet of many homes in America. Drugs that are prescribed, mostly narcotics, create
a euphoric effect or a high that is sought after by drug addicts. Because prescription drugs are
easier to obtain they have become a popular way to get high over obtaining illicit and illegal
drugs off the streets (Long, 2012). Prescriptions drugs have many side effects and should never
be taken if not prescribe by a doctor but this is not the case. The recreational use of some
prescription drugs is becoming more and m ore popular resulting in negative health outcomes.
Children are exposed to the taking of pills from a very young age. They see their parents take
prescription drugs and when they are not feeling well they are given prescription drugs. The
constant reliance on prescription drugs has created a society that accepts the use of pills that later
personality because they were prescribed by a doctor. This increases the risk the child will grow
up and abuse prescription drugs (Simoni-Wastila & Strickler, 2004). Abusing any type of
prescription drugs can result in drug addiction especially when it comes to narcotics.
Long, A. (2012).The prescription drug misuse and abuse epidemic. Journal of American
Pharmaceutical Association, 52(5): 1-2
Simoni-Wastila, L. & Strickler, G. (2004). Risk Factors Associated With Problem Use of
Prescription Drugs. American Journal of Public Health, 94(2): 266268