What You Should Know About Drug Prohibition

In its history, America has experienced two major periods of drug prohibition. This first was the Federal alcohol prohibition from 1920-1933. The second is the current war on drugs, which began in 1971.

According to Prof. Angela Dills, during these periods of prohibition in America, both homicide rates and police enforcement costs increased. This makes sense, as prohibitions never actually eliminate use. Rather, prohibitions convert peaceful and legal markets into black markets. In black markets, when disputes arise over sales territory, product quality, or money, the government legal system is not available. This forces drug dealers to resolve disputes on their own, which often leads to violence.

The violence of black markets, along with the enforcement of drug policy, attracts the attention of law enforcement. Law enforcement is costly, and the time spent enforcing drug laws could have been spent preventing other crimes like murder, theft, and rape. Drug prohibition not only generates more violence and increases the cost of law enforcement; it also distracts law enforcement and puts citizens at greater risk of crime.

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[Higzy Teflon]

Oh yes, prohibition keeps me from exercising my right to blaze one up.... *puff puff puff* Pretty soon cannabis will be legal all over the world. Eat that, DEA fags.

[Eli W]

the only cost of the drug war is time spent on law enforcement, other than that it is very profitable to prisons and our corrupt ass government. it is the worst form of crony capitalism, because now rapists and other violent criminals have been let go to open space for drug users. ABSURD!!!!

[JohnnyC Major]

bullshit

[John Smith]

if people could use drugs without affecting me, my property or anyone else and their property, i would support legalisation. the reality though, is that some drugs significantly alter the mind causing people to commit crime, harm others, etc.

the fact that drugs are illegal is not to prohibit people's freedom. it's a common sense law to protect society and protect people. if you want a society without laws, you are free to leave this country and start your own somewhere

[Jim Ferris]

Look at the results this has had in Portugal....you may be surprised. You are right...people do not always make rational decisions. But it shouldn't be up to a nanny state to make sure you do make good decisions. Government laws shouldn't determine culture, people should. Voice your opinion on drug use, show evidence of its effects on your life, and let the debate take place in the public market place of ideas. Teaching personal responsibility doesn't destroy culture, nanny states do.

[John Smith]

lol this is incredibly stupid. they are all caught up in their hypothetical theoretical world where all humans are perfect and make rational decisions.

legalising all drugs will create havoc and destroy our culture.

[Brian Gaynor]

This is so dumb it's not even funny. Lets encourage "illegal" drug use. This girl forgets to talk about how many people die from overdosing and driving while under an illegal drug. And the innocent people they kill by when they do get into a car accident.

[senglord]

IF there were no prohibition

THEN there would be a reduction of over 60% of the African American prison population

and almost 2/3s of black homicides.

Naturally prohibition is only ramped up to keep quotas. And when constitutional means aren't enough, who needs them.

Same old show, whoever is in office.

[Amsmetallic]

True that bro, Who the fuck smokes marijuana and says im gonna go kill some people seriously fucking DEA.

[Cynthia Youngblood]

Actually it reduces all of the things you speak of. Portugal legalized drugs 10 years ago and consumption is down, as are drug related health costs and drug related crime. Money that once went to the drug war was spent instead on rehabilitation.

[Robert Shackleford]

I have been a correctional officer for over ten years and what pisses me off is when i pull an inmates record and found out he got 30 years for a cocaine charge. While his cellmate got 10 years for murder. This happens more often than not.