72 hours to End the War on Drugs

[realxsalo]

In 72 hours, we could finally see the beginning of the end of the ‘war on drugs’. This expensive war has completely failed to curb the plague of drug addiction, while costing countless lives, devastating communities, and funneling trillions of dollars into violent organized crime networks.

Experts all agree that the most sensible policy is to regulate, but politicians are afraid to touch the issue. In 72 hours, a global commission including former heads of state and foreign policy chiefs of the UN, EU, US, Brazil, Mexico and more will break the taboo and publicly call for new approaches including decriminalization and regulation of drugs.

This could be a once-in-a-generation tipping-point moment -- if enough of us call for an end to this madness. Politicians say they understand that the war on drugs has failed, but claim the public isn't ready for an alternative. Let's show them we not only accept a sane and humane policy -- we demand it. Sign the petition and share with everyone -- when we reach 1/2 million, it will be personally delivered to world leaders by the global commission.

For 50 years current drug policies have failed everyone, everywhere but public debate is stuck in the mud of fear and misinformation. Everyone, even the UN Office on Drugs and Crime which is responsible for enforcing this approach agrees -- deploying militaries and police to burn drug farms, hunting down traffickers, and imprisoning dealers and addicts – is an expensive mistake. And with massive human cost -- from Afghanistan, to Mexico, to the USA the illegal drug trade is destroying countries around the world, while addiction, overdose deaths, and HIV/AIDS infections continue to rise.

Meanwhile, countries with less-harsh enforcement -- like Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Australia -- have not seen the explosion in drug use that proponents of the drug war have darkly predicted. Instead, they have seen significant reductions in drug-related crime, addiction and deaths, and are able to focus squarely on dismantling criminal empires.

Powerful lobbies still stand in the way of change, including military, law enforcement, and prison departments whose budgets are at stake. And politicians fear that voters will throw them out of office if they support alternative approaches, as they will appear weak on law and order. But many former drug Ministers and Heads of State have come out in favour of reform since leaving office, and polls show that citizens across the world know the current approach is a catastrophe. Momentum is gathering towards new improved policies, particularly in regions that are ravaged by the drug trade.

If we can create a worldwide outcry in the next 72 hours to support the bold calls of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, we can overpower the stale excuses for the status quo. Our voices hold the key to change -- Sign the petition and spread the word.

We have a chance to enter the closing chapter of this brutal 'war' that has destroyed millions of lives. Global public opinion will determine if this catastrophic policy is stopped or if politicians shy away from reform. Let's rally urgently to push our hesitating leaders from doubt and fear, over the edge, and into reason.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_drugs/?fp

 

[Thou]

Not in America you won't.


And for what it worth, I signed that thing like 3 days ago.

 

[DirtyMexican]

The principle of the war on drugs and the results so far are just plain comic. There nothing we can sign to end it.

 

[Beardhomestead]

The principle of the war on drugs and the results so far are just plain comic. There nothing we can sign to end it.

Agree completely. You could have 6 billion signatures, and guess what? too bad

 

[Herbal~Jah]

EVERYONE NEEDS TO SIGN THIS! The War on Drugs is the most immoral and evil thing the governments of the world have ever initiated. To lock someone in a cage and take away all their freedom for consuming a certain substance is absolutely ridiculous and evil. I've always wondered what inclines people (like cops, judges, etc.) to want to punish and put someone in jail and then fine them all kinds of money for consuming a certain substance. Not to mention ruining your life forever by putting the "charge" on your record.

 

[ParalyticSHOCK]

As much as I wish it would go through, I'm sure we won't see any real results via this petition.

I did sign though, I think it would be quite an improvement if something DID change.

Imagine.. regulated MDMA?

 

[atara]

It says 'public outcry'. Don't just sign the petition, take it to heart: spead the goddamn word.

 

[slimvictor]

The principle of the war on drugs and the results so far are just plain comic.

Agreed.

There nothing we can sign to end it.

This conclusion doesn't follow.
In fact, the surreal ridiculousness of it all demands that we respond by raising our voices, lest the drug war in all its guises should be interpreted as acceptable and normal.

Would you have refused to struggle against slavery because it was ridiculous to own other human beings?

The more heinous the crime, the more we are morally required to act against it.

 

[DJ 303]

Agree completely. You could have 6 billion signatures, and guess what? too bad

Look i totally understand your lack of faith in the government man, but nothing ever got changed by being defeatest.
your apathy perpetuates the powers that be to pass any legislation they want.
personally i think its this kind of inaction that causes good people to continue to get locked up for just enjoying their lives. thus you are as bad as the fuckers who make the laws in the first place.
If you go down for your drug use, and you didnt sing this petition, then youve basically already accepted your penalty and aint got nothing to bitch about!
ive grown up as an activist, and believe me.shit can get changed if we all get off our asses!!

arent we a community here?????