This month marks the 50th anniversary of Richard Nixon declaring a “war on drugs.”
We need to ask ourselves a very important question:
Has it worked in the United States?
Even though the US spends $50B every year enforcing drug prohibition:
· 1 out of 10 adults has used an illegal drug recently.
· We’re in the worst drug overdose death crisis of our history.
· Drugs are readily available in small towns, big cities, even prisons. (Think about that for a second…we can’t even keep drugs out of prisons.)
Has it worked globally?
In 2009, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs developed a plan to combat the world’s drug problems within 10 years. Four of their major goals are summarized below.
In 2019, the International Drug Policy Consortium compiled data from numerous sources to track the success of the 2009 UN plan. The results are summarized below, as well.
Goal #1: Reduce Cultivation
Eliminate or reduce significantly the illicit cultivation of opium poppy, coca bush, and cannabis plant.
Results: Cultivation Increased
Cultivation of the opium poppy increased 125% and coca bush increased 30%. Although no cultivation estimates were reported for cannabis, the UN did report that cannabis is grown in countries representing 94% of the world’s population.
Goal #2: Reduce Demand
Eliminate or reduce significantly the illicit demand for drugs.
Results: Demand Increased
The overall number of 15 to 64-year-olds who used an illegal drug at least once in 2016 (the last year data was available for) increased 31% from 2009.
Goal #3: Reduce Supply
Eliminate or reduce significantly the illicit production, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of, and trafficking in, psychotropic substances, including synthetic drugs.
Results: Supply Increased
In 2018 the UN reported that ‘the range of psychoactive substances available on the market has never been greater.’ The dark web has also made it easier than ever to buy illicit drugs.
Goal #4: Reduce Precursors
Eliminate or reduce significantly the diversion of and illicit trafficking in precursors. (Precursors are the chemical substances used in the manufacture of drugs).
Results: Precursors Increased
International Narcotics Control Board reports an increase in the use and number of precursors in illegal drug production.
What do we do?
Well, if we do what we’ve always done, we’ll get what we’ve always gotten.
We have a choice before us: Punish? Or save lives?
We can’t do both. They’re mutually exclusive. To save lives we have to let go of harsh penalties and consider allowing people to access unpoisoned substances.
Prohibition of drugs by law is a new idea in the history of the world. Not only has it failed to achieve its goals, its left hundreds of thousands of dead people in its wake. People who otherwise would have lived.
As we mark the 50th anniversary of the ‘war on drugs,’ what do you want for the next 50? If you want something different than the last 50, it’s time to get involved.
Together, we can chart a new course.