Interest Group on Combating Drugs and Crimes

Name and Opposing Issues

Drugs and Crime Advocacy Council Colorado (DCAC Colorado) is an interest groups that recognizes and opposes the rising crime and illegal drug abuse rates in Colorado. The residents, especially the youth have resulted to crime and drug use, which is an increasing concern due to the multiple effects. According to the National Archives, more than 13% of the residents have been using illicit drugs since 2010, which is part of an increasing trend. In addition, the consumption prompts them to engage in criminal activities with the State being the 4th highest ranking in crimes. The group opposes the practices and raises concerns since there is inadequate policy enforcement, which has catapulted the issue to becoming a critical problem. The opposition aims to prompt the administration to introduce solid legislations against those involved in drug abuse and law-breaking activities to create more hospitable environments within the State.

Type of Interest Group

DCAC Colorado is a public interest group which focuses on opposing drug consumption and crimes in Colorado to ensure public well-being.

Specific Policy Objectives

DCAC Colorado’s primary objective is to prompt the administration to enhance their efforts against illicit drug abuse and law-breaking activities in the State since the rising cases are jeopardizing residents’ well-being while the minimal efforts from the government are promoting the conducts. In addition, to create public awareness about drug abuse, which can assist in advocacy against the practice to prevent the public from indulging in the habit. Another objective for the group is to prompt local authorities to increase their punishment among people caught in illegal activities and promoting drug abuse. In most cases, inadequate administrative punishment makes culprits fail to recognize the extent of the issue. As such, it becomes challenging to establish impactful interventions. However, enhancing the penalties will raise concerns among those involved, motivating them to change their behaviors to avoid extreme legal problems.

Targeted Levels of Government and Branch

DCAC Colorado primarily focuses on the drug abuse and criminal issues in Colorado. As such, it targets the local and State administrations, since they are in an influential position to make steps that can assist in mitigating the challenge. The State administration is responsible for the punitive measures enacted upon locals involved in law-breaking activities that are impacting societal development. In addition, the group does not target a particular administrative branch since we believe that it requires a collaborative effort from all sectors of the government to enhance efforts against crimes and drug abuse, which will assist in shaping communities positively and morally.

Political Party Receptive to Goals

Democrats and Republicans are all involved in the fight against crime and illegal drug abuse as they aim to promote public welfare. Due to the increase in crimes and immorality in the State, the political parties are shaping their agendas towards related issues while focusing on reforms that can introduce positive changes (Birkeland). Despite the differences between the two parties, they recognize the impact in societal development, allowing them to associate their initiatives to ensure comprehensive protection among citizens.

Barriers to Meeting Goals

Some of the barriers towards meeting the objective is the lack of individual action and public support towards the cause. Although most residents recognize the implications of illegal drug use and continued crimes, they are reluctant to engage in advocacy practices, making it challenging to convince the administration on the need for policy reforms. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, another barrier is the lack of adequate resources among the law officials, which lowers their response capabilities towards the problems. There are challenges in acquiring adequate resources to ensure there is enough law enforcers to provide a comprehensive oversight of the practices within the community. As such, culprits can proceed with their activities with minimal concerns since they understand that there are limited officers overseeing their illegal acts.

Ways of Overcoming Barriers

Since the group is focused on the public interests, we can hold initiatives that convince individuals on the significance of combating illegal drug use and crimes within the State, fostering a collective action that will ensure there is adequate oversight. Another way is seeking sponsors, who can provide additional funds to the State administration. As such, it will provide them with enough resources to enhance their fight against the problems through various ways, such as training more law enforcers.

Target Membership and Growth Strategies

Target membership includes all members from Colorado since the group is focused on ensuring there is a comprehensive oversight of illegal drug use and crimes in the State. As such, residents can recognize that their efforts are focused on ensuring the greater good for their communities, which can provide additional motivation. The group can also identify victims of law-breaking activities or others who have been directly impacted by illicit drug issues. In order to ensure the group’s growth, awareness initiatives, such as posting posters, advertising on local media channels and posting on various digital platforms will improve recognition, which will be crucial to DCAC Colorado’s growth.

Incentives the Group Provides

The group provides a purposive incentive since it ensures that the members recognize what they are fighting for and the potential effects of their efforts. It involves being a member of a reform group focused on promoting public welfare, which can be a motivation for individuals to become part of the advocacy. In addition, it presents a solidarity incentive, enabling people to illustrate their stance against illicit drug use and crimes within the State. As such, being part of the group will help highlight the lack of association with such malpractices and a reflection of efforts to create better societies.

Inside and Outside Lobbying Approaches

The inside approaches that DCAC Colorado will use include submitting drafts to the policymakers to help them identify the prevalence of illicit drug use and crimes in the State to prompt them to employ responsive measures. Another approach will involve scheduling and holding meetings with political parties in power who are involved in advocating against the issues, enabling them to understand that they have additional support to prompt a collective action. On the other hand, outside lobbying practices will also be impactful and will include mobilizing residents within the State to report such issues. Another strategy will involve issuing press release to ensure there is public recognition of the challenge to motivate general action.

Works Cited

Birkeland. “The Politics of Crime: Democrats and Republicans Both Focus on Public Safety As Election Looms.” Colorado Public Radio, 10 Mar. 2022, www.cpr.org/2022/03/10/rising-crime-colorado-politics/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

National Archives. “COLORADO DRUG CONTROL UPDATE.” The White House | Whitehouse.gov, www.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile-colorado.pdf. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. “Trafficking in Persons & Smuggling of Migrants Module 9 Key Issues: Challenges to an Effective Criminal Justice Response.” United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, www.unodc.org/e4j/en/tip-and-som/module-9/key-issues/challenges-to-an-effective-criminal-justice-response.html. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.