The war on drugs is over. Illegal drugs won.
“Zero tolerance” posturing just keeps the prices up and in the hands of corrupt and vile men. See Mena Airport as an example. I do not abuse drugs. I do not like drug abusers. But the “war” is over, and it is a total defeat.
Well said! We were once wise enough to "surrender" in our War On Alcohol aka Prohibition - I hope we can muster the wisdom to take the same course with drug prohibition.
There is too much money to be made in keeping them illegal. There is a very short transmission belt from street level proceeds to the hands of authorities. Very short. Not all authorities, but many.
I would add that I saw not a single drug abuser’s life improved by drug abusers, but a system where violent offenders are rolled out of prison to make room for some simple possession charge is broken in many ways and at many levels. Sounds good during elections though. “Zero tolerance!” Really? Then take away prosecutorial discretion, judicial discretion, pardons, paroles and ‘good time’. Won’t happen will it? ‘Zero tolerance’ is Purina sheep chow for the credulous reactionary.
Bitter? Damn right I am. And I was on the -enforcement- end!
Again I say, I -detest- drug abuse, but the ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key’ is an utter fail, and has been for decades. Follow the money. It is meant to fail.