News War on drugs failing, research suggests

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SUMMARY

The global war on drugs is failing, as evidenced by a significant decline in the prices of heroin, cocaine, and cannabis, alongside an increase in their purity. A comprehensive analysis of seven government drug surveillance datasets from the U.S., Europe, and Australia reveals that between 1990 and 2007, the inflation-adjusted prices of these drugs dropped by 81%, 80%, and 86%, respectively, while their purity rose by 60%, 11%, and 161%. These findings indicate that law enforcement efforts aimed at controlling the illegal drug market are ineffective, leading to a thriving drug trade and increased potency of substances.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of drug surveillance systems and their methodologies
  • Familiarity with drug pricing and purity metrics
  • Knowledge of the historical context of drug enforcement policies
  • Awareness of the socio-economic impacts of drug criminalization
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the methodologies used in drug surveillance studies, particularly longitudinal data analysis
  • Examine the economic impact of drug decriminalization in countries like Portugal
  • Investigate the relationship between drug purity and health outcomes in users
  • Explore alternative drug policy models that focus on harm reduction and education
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for policymakers, public health officials, sociologists, and anyone interested in drug policy reform and its implications for society.

  • #31
Russ's line of argument is valid to some degree. There is an obvious group of people that abuse the term:

"Global Commission on Drug Policy Offers Reckless, Vague Drug Legalization
Proposal; Current Drug Policy Should Be Improved through Innovative Linkage
of Prevention, Treatment and the Criminal Justice System:"

http://www.ibhinc.org/pdfs/IBHCommentaryonGlobalCommissionReport71211.pdf

I think it's fair for Russ to ask for clarification. However, I think it's unfair to paint everyone who uses the term "war on drugs" as pushing a blind legalization agenda. (a.k.a. good faith, not bad faith).

Anyway, clarification for Russ: the obvious interpretation of "war on drugs" to me is the militarization of drug enforcement. I don't think users of hard drugs should be treated as harshly as we do in the US, but I think dealers and importers absolutely deserve judgment and given their criminal nature there's probably not a way to avoid militant strategies. But I think we need to demand more compassion from society as well as enact specific policies that protect addicts and users and gear rehabilitation more towards healing than punishment.

Also, I think marijuana should be legalized and controlled like alcohol.
 
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