Then there is the report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy (released in June 2011) that says the decades-old worldwide "
war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world."
"Political leaders and public figures should have the courage to articulate publicly what many of them acknowledge privately: that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that repressive strategies will not solve the drug problem, and that
the war on drugs has not, and cannot, be won," the report said.
The 19-member commission includes former
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former U.S. official
George P. Schultz, who held cabinet posts under U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon. Others include former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman
Paul Volcker,
former presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, writers
Carlos Fuentes and
Mario Vargas Llosa, U.K. business mogul
Richard Branson and the current
prime minister of Greece.
"Vast expenditures on criminalization and repressive measures directed at producers, traffickers and consumers of illegal drugs have clearly failed to effectively curtail supply or consumption," the report added. "Apparent victories in eliminating one source or trafficking organization are negated almost instantly by the emergence of other sources and traffickers."
The commission called for drug policies based on methods empirically proven to reduce crime, lead to better health and promote economic and social development. "Arresting and incarcerating tens of millions of these people in recent decades has filled prisons and destroyed lives and families without reducing the availability of illicit drugs or the power of criminal organizations," the report said. "There appears to be almost no limit to the number of people willing to engage in such activities to better their lives, provide for their families, or otherwise escape poverty. Drug control resources are better directed elsewhere."
And what was the response of our leaders?
The office of White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske said the report was misguided.
"Drug addiction is a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated. Making drugs more available — as this report suggests — will make it harder to keep our communities healthy and safe," Office of National Drug Control Policy spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said.
Read the report yourself at
http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/reports/
Forgive me for getting on my soapbox, but our policy on drugs is so misguided, I just can't help myself.
Drug Lord Thanks Bush, Obama
