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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Drug Prohibition is the New Jim Crow
No civil right to take drugs
Discrimination in the justice system should not be tolerated. However, it is misleading to suggest that drug use is somehow connected to Jim Crow. Jim Crow was about denying African-Americans the right to vote and other civil rights. African-Americans should not be sentenced disproportionally for drug-related crimes, but that does not mean that drug use should be condoned. I'm sure that people in these communities do not want their youth to be crippled by drug abuse and addiction anymore than those in other communities do. Unfortunately, many youth make poor choices and suffer hard consequences. Their consequences should be drug treatment, and if necessary, just punishment for repeated offenses, just as in the white community. As stated elsewhere, lax drug laws lead to increased drug use which wreaks havoc on families and communities.
- Lynn9
June 4, 2009 8:09PM
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Poorly Informed much?
If recreational drugs had absolutely no other use, the are still valued for the pursuit of happiness (some nations have thought this important from time to time), and most of them are less harmful than most prescription drugs, alcohol , cigarettes , cars, guns , or even tylenol in some cases.
Most of our drugs laws were blatantly racist until the 60's and 70's when the Drug War became the weapon of choice against the youth and peace movements. The last 3 decades the drug war has become to big of a business for most parties to be impartial about, especially political parties.
Where and when have lax drug laws lead to increased drug use ? And what problems resulted?
- Submariner June 12, 2009 4:04PM
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Side: No
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