The So-Called Drug War Facts

First, the Drug War is totally ineffective. It has failed to reduce overall
use of illegal drugs or even availability. Narcotics were no more prevalent before Prohibition than now, and cocaine is more widespread.

And it's easy to see that drug laws actually cause more harm than good:

(1) by increasing the price, forcing users to steal to pay for their habits.
It is estimated that 40% of property crimes are committed by drug users -- 4 million crimes per year; $7.5 billion in stolen property.

(2) Prohibition creates stronger and more dangerous drugs. Seen any white lightning lately? Crack cocaine and many designer drugs would not even exist without Prohibition.

(3) by criminalizing use of drugs, we create criminals. Once a person is labeled a criminal, why not commit other crimes? Once that threshold is crossed, it's hard to come back.

(4) normal jobs don't pay enough, so we discourage people from working. This especially affects young people who find role models in punks wearing gold jewelry, leaning against their Mercedes, and smearing at any kid who takes a minimum wage job. And why should a child aspire to anything else when he is given the opportunity to make thousands of dollars a week?

(5) drug-related disputes are removed from the legal system, thus creating a context of violence.

(6) the black market creates jobs -- for professional criminals. - Sharon Harris from Advocates for Self-Government

You can never get enough drug war news, can you?