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End a Failed Drug War (and Boost Entrepreneurship?)

The global war on drugs is a failure, a high-profile commission funded by Richard Branson declares, as it calls for governments to consider decriminalizing some drugs. Could ending the decades-long battle be an opening for entrepreneurs?

With American drug use levels essentially the same as — and levels of drug-related violence either the same as or lower than — those in countries like the Netherlands with liberal drug laws, public support for the War on Drugs appears to be faltering. This was most recently evidenced in the victory of major drug decriminalization initiatives in Colorado and Washington. Some misguided commentators go so far as to say the Drug War is “a failure.” Here, to set the record straight, are fifteen ways in which it is a resounding success.

'American Drug War: The Last White Hope'

A Film by Kevin Booth

Uploaded by TheStraight911Truth

Thirty-five years after Nixon started the war on drugs, we have over 1 million nonviolent drug offenders living behind bars.

The War on Drugs has become the longest and most costly war in American history. The question has become, how much more can the country endure. Inspired by the death of four family members from "legal drugs," Texas filmmaker Kevin Booth sets out to discover why the Drug War has become such a big failure.

Why is the War on Drugs lost? It reflects our failure to learn from history. Drug prohibition has all the characteristics of other well-intentioned, yet counterproductive, government programmes. Specifically, the drug war causes crime; it corrupts the police; it violates civil liberties; it throws good money after bad; and it weakens – even destroys – families, neighbourhoods, and communities.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has become the latest leader to condemn the now 40-year-old war on drugs. "The war on drugs, while well-intentioned, has been a failure," Christie said Monday during a speech at The Brookings Institution. "We're warehousing addicted people everyday in state prisons in New Jersey, giving them no treatment." Christie stressed the merits of legislation recently passed by New Jersey state lawmakers that institutes a year of mandatory treatment for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders instead of jail time.

Report of the global commission on drugs says the global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world. It suggests to end the criminalization, marginalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others. Challenge rather than reinforce common misconceptions about drug markets, drug use and drug dependence.

Russ Jones, who has spent more than 30 years fighting the War On Drugs, has something to say about his life's work: it is a complete failure that should be ended.

The FDA is “cracking down” on drugs which did not go through their ridiculously expensive FDA approval process; all pre-1938 drugs. According to the NY Times, 80% of all nitroglycerin pills on the market fall into this category. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/business/27nitro.html

All illicit substances, including heroin and cocaine, should be legalized, according to a former United Kingdom drugs minister who on Thursday became the most senior politician to push for a dramatic change in the strategy for dealing with drug enforcement in Britain.