Next week ministers from around the world gather in Vienna to set international drug policy for the next decade. Like first-world-war generals, many will claim that all that is needed is more of the same. In fact the war on drugs has been a disaster, creating failed states in the developing world even as addiction has flourished in the rich world. By any sensible measure, this 100-year struggle has been illiberal, murderous and pointless. That is why The Economist continues to believe that the least bad policy is to legalise drugs.
“Least bad” does not mean good. Legalisation, though clearly better for producer countries, would bring (different) risks to consumer countries. As we outline below, many vulnerable drug-takers would suffer. But in our view, more would gain.
It seems as if support is growing for drug legalization. Without government interference, people who insist on abusing drugs will eventually ruin their lives if they don't learn to discontinue such behavior. The War on Drugs ruins lives by encouraging criminal behavior and imposing harsh punishment. The Economist makes a case for legalization.
No comments:
Post a Comment