End the War of Drugs now

A Plea to End the War on Drugs

The current prohibition on the sale and consumption of marijuana, cocaine and many simple drugs is wrong and is creating unintended but completely predictable consequences. Prohibition of alcohol in the United States and parts of Canada was an attempt to control its use. It failed miserably.

What does history tell us about prohibition?

Crime was rampant as the mafia and other criminal organizations supplied booze. Police, politicians and community leaders were corrupted with bribes and kickbacks.

The powerful men who supplied the product were usually sufficiently removed from the distribution network and made fortunes. Their wealth remained in their families when prohibition ended and the one-time criminals became the pillars of society.

The prohibition of drugs in America today is resulting in the same sequence of events. Crime is rampant as supplier and distribution networks have developed roots deep into the population. Many dealers target the poor and particularly children with cheap drugs that are extremely addictive. Affluent consumers from the middle and upper classes support the cocaine trade. Both the rich and poor use heroin and its derivatives. Producing and delivering illicit drugs requires unscrupulous activities that range from grow-ops in Barrie to cartels in Columbia and Mexico.

The trade generates huge amounts of cash. Users get the money they need by to buy the drugs through other crime. Some of the money is used but the suppliers to ensure the election of Senators, Congressmen, State legislators, politicians and others to ensure those opposed to stopping the madness are elected, that is to say in support of those who benefit from the War on Drugs.

The United States now has the largest prison system in the world with more prisoners even than Russia at its worst. Ironically, the prison industry employs thousands of prison designers, builders, guards, officials, police not to mention the courts that supply customers otherwise called convicts. The majority of convicts are black or Hispanic while prosperous white people are seldom sent to prison even if inadvertently apprehended in possession of drugs.

What might happen if the drug trade stopped?

First, the money now being spent to support the prison system will be available to provide medical, educational and other services to the under privileged.

Second, the people who have made fortunes in the illicit drug industry will have to become honest citizens and maybe contribute some of their wealth to the common good. It has happened throughout history with positive benefits for everyone.

Third, peace will flourish in countries like Columbia and Mexico as the profits dry up. Governments and the people will be able to redirect their energies to improving things to benefit their people.

Of course, criminals will not go away and will find other opportunities. The police may then have time and the resources to play cops and robbers effectively.

More money might be devoted to state security although the contrived need for it should be reduced.

Politics may be cleaned up and possibly become more honest.

People will get the product they want under controlled conditions and the taxes paid will provide funds for many purposes maybe even including a reduction of income tax.

Is change possible?

It has happened before. When prohibition ended the crime rate decreased significantly and tax revenues increased. Citizens no longer were criminalized for enjoying a drink and bootleggers largely disappeared.

At one time gambling was illegal and the only lottery was the Irish Sweeps. Gambling has now become a huge business employing thousands of people legally and paying taxes.

Tobacco, one the other hand, has always been legal but has caused more harm than most drugs but since it generates huge taxes it remains legal but is slowly being driven out of business. It will then join with other illegal substances and not pay taxes.

Will change happen?

Not likely. There is too much money in the industry as an illegal activity. Police, politicians, lawyers, legislators, criminals, prison guards, gun manufacturers, religious leaders and others have too much to lose by ending the madness. The anti drug lobby in Washington is so strong that a legislator even President Obama, no matter how motivated, would be crushed and perhaps killed before any changes in the War on Drugs could be made. It is a pessimistic outlook but in an immoral society money can buy anything including a continuation of corruption.

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