2. Thesis: War on Drugs is counterproductive Soaring incarceration rates; racial disparities Creates violent but wealthy underground market; funds terrorism; corruption of law-makers and enforcers Costs associated could be put to better, more productive use Drugs are more readily available today and are more potent Users are less likely to seek treatment for fear of arrest Spread of HIV through unsanitary needles Violation of civil liberties
3. 1875 - California passes law against opium, popular amongst Chinese 1883 - Congress uses constitutional power to "lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises" to heavily tax imported opium 1906 - Pure Food and Drug Act requires all patent medicines containing drugs be labeled 1914 - Harrison’s Narcotic Act regulates and taxes importation and distribution of opium and coca leaves 1922 - creation of Federal Narcotics Control Board 1930 - Federal Bureau of Narcotics created within the Treasury Department mid-1930s - new machinery allows hemp fiber to be more easily and economically separated from the plant By 1937, 46 of 48 states have laws against marijuana; Congress passes Marijuana Tax Act Early Legislative History
4. War Declarations late-1960s - recreational drug use rises among white, middle class 1968 – Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs founded and oversight moves from Treasury to Justice Department 1970 - Controlled Substances Act shifts focus from taxation to interstate commerce and creates “schedules”; Narcotics Treatment Administration founded– crime in D.C. decreases by 41% 1971 - soldiers in Vietnam become addicted to heroin; Nixon declares “War on Drugs” 1973 – Drug Enforcement Administration is established, consolidating agents from BNDD, the CIA, Customs 1976 – Carter and his drug czar campaign for legalization of marijuana early-1980s – cocaine trafficking becomes prominent, violence ensues 1984 – Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign focuses on white, middle class children
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6. Hostages and Casualties Incarceration Drug-related Homicides Over 10,500 executions in Mexico since beginning of President Felipe Calderon’s term on Dec 1, 2006 Someone is arrested for violating a drug law every 17 seconds, over 1.6 million this year Drug offenders make up about 60% of total prison population; this is a 1200% increase since 1980 US Population v. Prison population disenfranchises blacks and Hispanics (blacks make up only 12% of U.S. population and 44% inmates) US imprisons more of its population than any other industrialized nation
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8. ECONOMICS According to American Corrections Association, states spend over $6 billion per year to imprison drug offenders Drug trade is a $400 billion per year industry U.S. Federal government spends more every year to combat drug trade, approximately $18 billion for 2009; states spent about $27 billion for 2009 Related criminal and medical costs in the US total over $67 billion per year
9. Proponents of Prohibition: Counter-Arguments “If the international community cooperates, we can and will win” (so far other governments have not fully cooperated) “Demand can be reduced through raising price and lowering purity” (this has, empirically, been proven to the opposite) “We are trying to fight $400 billion business on a $100 million budget; we need more money” (as shown, the more we spend, the greater the problem has gotten)
