Should the U.S. Continue its War on Drugs?

Should the U.S. Continue its War on Drugs?

Ever since President Richard Nixon declared war on drugs in 1971, we've heard much talk about America's drug-prevention initiatives. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on keeping illegal substances out -- and reducing drug use nationwide. However, some argue the battle is ineffective or perhaps even counter-productive. Is this effort worth continuing, or is it time to search for alternatives?

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Libertarian

Failure of Prohibitional Proportions

Libertarian National Committee

America's war on drugs has been a catastrophic failure from day one.  In the pursuit of eliminating drug use in America, the United States government has only managed to waste an estimated $500 billion in taxpayer dollars, incarcerate hundreds-of-thousands of American citizens for drug crimes (many of them for victimless offenses) and entwine the U.S. in the internal affairs of foreign countries. The suffering that drug misuse has brought about is deplorable; however, drug prohibition causes more harm than drugs themselves. The so-called "War on Drugs" is in reality a war against the American people, our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is a grave threat to individual liberty, to domestic order and to peace in the world.  While Libertarians there are very real negatives to drug use, individuals should have the right to use drugs, whether for medical or recreational purposes, without fear of legal reprisals.   However, individuals must be held legally responsible for the consequences of their actions if they violate others’ rights.  The government should not pursue individuals for crimes that involve no victim, for actions that violate no rights.

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  • Drug Policy Alliance
    The Drug Policy Alliance Network (DPA Network) is the nation's leading organization promoting policy alternatives to the drug war that are grounded in science... More

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