Just say maybe: Is the world ready to abandon the war on drugs?

[TheBlackPirate]

Just say maybe: Is the world ready to abandon the war on drugs?
By Clare Wilson

Armed soldier stands guard with rectangular packs ablaze in the background
Cannabis burns in Mexico
El Universal/Rex/Shutterstock


JUST say no. That’s supposed to be our reaction to recreational drugs. The trouble is, lots of people say yes please. As a result, the world’s governments have been waging a war on drugs for more than a century. Since 1961, the battle has been orchestrated via international treaties targeting all parts of the supply chain, from the producers to the smugglers, the sellers to the buyers.

Yet this supposedly united front has developed some conspicuous cracks. Now those countries backing a different approach have called a UN meeting later this month to make the case for change.

The question is whether the UN is ready to soften its stance or whether it will plough on despite mountains of evidence suggesting its zero-tolerance approach has failed. As the reformers collate this to present at the meeting, New Scientist looks at how the approaches taken by different countries stack up (see “Drugs around the world”, below), and asks what can happen next.

Some nations are already taking change into their own hands. Portugal has decriminalised personal use of any drug – including cocaine and heroin – and several South and Central American countries are moving in the same direction. As for cannabis, the number of places where its open sale has been decriminalised in some form grows ever larger.

Most of these changes stem from the idea that while drug-taking has some health risks, a zero-tolerance approach means that those who become addicted cannot easily access treatment. And the majority who use drugs without getting hooked ...

https://www.newscientist.com/articl...-the-world-ready-to-abandon-the-war-on-drugs/

 

[TheBlackPirate]

I really appreciate this photo. The only thing clearly visible is the marijuana. The Mexican person isn't in focus. This effectively portrays the western worlds perspective on drugs, the fact that the only thing they are focused on is the drugs. They can't be bothered with the consequences prohibition had on addicts, minorities, and people in other countries.

Drug policy should be science guided and focus on keeping drug users safe.

Decriminalization is the rational choice with legalization and regulation further down the road.