The war on drugs is not working; a new approach is needed

Morally there is little doubt the abuse of narcotics is wrong, and scientifically there is little doubt it is unhealthy both physically and mentally.

However, the way in which most Western Governments look at shielding society from the dangers of illegal drugs may be lacking. US President Richard Nixon coined the phrase “War on Drugs” back in the 1960s. Since then, America has waged this war, but with little success.

The 701st wealthiest individual in the world for the year 2009, according to Forbes Magazine, is Joaquin Guzman Loera. Senor Loera of Mexico is not a telecom or oil tycoon — he is a shipping tycoon, specializing in drug trafficking, and worth over $1 billion.

For the year 2009, Mexico is reporting more than 6,000 drug trafficking-related murders; 2,500 of those are in a border town, Ciudad Juarez, where 7,000 have been orphaned and nearly 100,000 citizens have fled — most across the Rio Grande into Texas. All of this with 6,000 Mexican troops policing the area.

Note EU-Digest: the EU is also loosing the battle against drug trafficking. It needs to overhaul all the present battle plans against traffickers, to include more innovative programs of surveillance and by increasing the penalties for traffickers and illegal users who are apprehended.

The war on drugs is not working; a new approach is needed - by Worth Richardson - Culpeper Star-Exponent