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Albert Einstein on Prohibition
The prestige of government has
undoubtedly
been
lowered
considerably by the Prohibition
law. For nothing is more
destructive of respect for the
government and the law of the
land than passing laws which
cannot be enforced. It is an open
secret that the dangerous
increase of crime in this country is
closely connected with this.
Albert Einstein
2
The Many Faces of Jack Cole
1964
1970
Has the war on drugs worked?
This map shows one
month’s murders (2010).
Red markers are civilians;
blue are law enforcement.
Since Felipe Calderon’s
war began in 2006, over
30,000 have died in
Mexico drug war. Deaths
average 50 per day.
4
Has the war on drugs worked?
Students consistently report that it is easier to buy illegal drugs
than it is to buy beer or cigarettes.
Drug dealers don’t ask for ID.
5
Has the war on drugs worked?
A 2010 comprehensive review of
studies on the subject concluded:
Drug law enforcement was
associated with increased
levels of drug market
violence.
Drug law enforcement
practices aimed to disrupt
drug markets may have the
unintentional effect of
increasing levels of drug
market violence.
6
Has the war on drugs worked?
Regardless of enforcement
expenditures, the negative
effects of prohibition
(including violence and
criminal enrichment)
have resulted
no matter where or when
prohibition has
been tried.
7
Has the war on drugs worked?
NO
After 40+ years of the modern phase of
the drug war, drugs are more available,
powerful, and inexpensive than ever.
8
Before 1914, heroin could be bought
from grocery stores
1914: Harrison Act
was passed, making
drugs illegal
Government claimed:
1.3% of the
population was
addicted to drugs
9
President Nixon and the
Shafer Commission
In 1970, Congress
created a Presidential
Commission to report
on the effects of
marijuana and
recommend appropriate
drug policies.
Nixon and the Shafer Commission
After much research, the Commission concluded:
“. . . neither the marihuana user nor
the drug itself can be said to
constitute a danger to public safety.”
Despite these findings, the “war on drugs” was declared by President Nixon in 1971.
Drug use was used as one justification; 1.3% of the population was addicted to drugs.
11
DEA Briefing Book 2001
$6.37
1970
$3.90
1.5 %
3.6%
$0.80
38 %
12
How prevalent is drug use?
The most recent government studies show that
the number of people in the US above the age of
12 who have used an illegal drug is 112 million
(46%
of the population).
13
Costs of the drug war
Legalizing drugs would
yield $88 billion per year
between enforcement
savings and tax revenue,
according to a 2010 study
by Harvard economics
professor Jeffrey Miron.
The federal drug law enforcement budget for 2009 was $20 billion
– that’s 1/3 the federal budget of education.
14
The colloquial definition of insanity
Despite the incredible increase in costs (federal
drug enforcement budgets have increased by more
than 1800% in the past 20 years), the war on drugs
has failed by all reasonable measures.
How many are addicted after about 90 years,
40 of which included a war on drugs?
About 1.3%
15
The economics of prohibition
• Constant demand +
Increasing sentences =
Higher profits
• According to UN
estimates, the global
illicit drug market is
worth
$500 billion annually
16
This cash stash seized from a drug dealer is a mere $207 million in 100-dollar bills
This is a mere $255 million
$500 billion
would cover a room
2,000 times this size
17
Prison overcrowding
The United States has
the highest rate of
incarceration in the
world, with a little less
than 5 percent of the
world’s population but
25% of the world’s
prisoners.
18
Racism in the drug war
Blacks constitute 53.5 percent of all persons who
entered prison because of a drug conviction
Blacks are 10.1 times more likely than whites to
enter prison for drug offenses.
19
Incarceration Rate of Black Males
Per 100,000 population
South Africa - 1993
Under apartheid, the most racist
regime in modern history
851
United States - 2008
Under prohibition and the
selectively enforced war on drugs
4,919
20
LEAP’s mission
LEAP believes that the war on
drugs needs to end. We support a
model of regulated and controlled
distribution of drugs which would
lead to fewer incidences of death,
disease, crime, and addiction.
21
Example: Portugal
Since decriminalizing in 2001:
• Drug use by 13 to 19 year olds:
down by 22-25%.
• Heroin overdose deaths:
down by 52%.
• HIV infections reported by drug
users:
down by an amazing 71%.
22
Example: Switzerland
Since taking a public health approach to
heroin:
• Not one person in the program has
died of a heroin overdose since it was
implemented.
• Lower rates of crime, death, and
disease, a drop in expected new users,
and an improvement in mental and
physical health, employment and
housing.
• Felony crime down by more than 60%
23
Heading in the right direction
• Mexico decriminalized all drugs to reduce police
corruption
• Argentina’s Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional
to arrest anyone for use of personal possession of
any drug.
• The Supreme Court of Colombia made the same
ruling.
• The Czech Republic also decriminalized all drugs.
But Decriminalization Isn’t Enough..
24
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Involved?
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• Bring LEAP speakers to your
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• Get involved in drug law
reform on a local level
• Become a donor
25
Appendix A: Regulation Models
• What would a postprohibition regime look
like?
• The UK-based think tank
recently published these
ideas in its book, “After
the War on Drugs:
Blueprint for Regulation”
which can be
downloaded for free at
http://tdpf.org.uk
Five models of regulation
for different types of drugs:
1. Unlicensed Sales
E.g., coffee shops
2. Licensed Premises
E.g., bars
3. Licensed Sales
E.g., liquor/tobacco
stores
4. Pharmacy Model
5. Prescription Model
26
Appendix B: State by State Estimates
(1 of 3)
27
State by State Estimates (2 of 3)
28
State by State Estimates (3 of 3)
29
Appendix C: For Law Enforcers
• Prohibition will not end overnight and
regulation will need to be implemented
• Police agencies will be able to focus on violent
crimes and reap the benefit of higher closure
rates
• No community would lay off police officers as
a result of legalization
• Correctional institutions will be more effective
and a safer place to work
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