"War on Drugs" creates more battles

In the 1920's alcohol was banned from the United States in an attempt to reduce crime, poverty, and increase the overall living conditions of the United States. As a result of the ban, alcohol consumption skyrocketed, organized crime rates went through the roof, and caused severe corruption in certain law enforcement agencies. This prohibition of alcohol was without a doubt a failed policy that not only was incredibly ineffective but it was actually detrimental to its cause.

One would think after almost a century of studying these events in history books the United States would learn their lesson about prohibiting drugs. Unfortunately we haven't. For the better part of the century the United States of America has waged another prohibition campaign called the "War on Drugs". The result has been almost identical, if not worse, to what happened in the 1920's: an increase in organized violent crime, corruption on a global scale.

Just like in the 1920's the prohibition campaign on drugs is a failed cause that ultimately leaves the entire world, on a security level, an economic level, and moral level worse off.

It seems that most, but not all, proponents in favor of the war on drugs are conservative, so it is appropriate to identify first how our security as a nation, and a world, is ultimately threatened by the war on drugs. Just as in the prohibition of 1920, organized crime and ruthless gangs have surfaced that have posed a threat to the country they occupy--including any Americans abroad.

While most of these ruthless drug cartels occupy reside outside of America--that is not to say that in future years to come they will not spread back home as well. In fact, research trends indicate they will. The New York Times reports that markets have began to expand away from traditional markets such as Iran and Columbia to places who have been more or less void of drug problems such as China or Indonesia. The market has even spread to western nations such as the Netherlands and Britain; it has even taken root in neighboring countries Mexico and Canada. It is naive to think the market will not take a larger grip on America as well. That means all the repercussions that come along with the drug market--organized crime, corruption, increasing violence--will be right here in America.

As if that is not enough, the "War on Drugs" also funds terrorist organizations that are rather anti-American, to put it lightly. Opium's inflated value due to prohibition has given the Taliban a substantial income to fuel their battle against NATO in Afghanistan, and more critically allows them to purchase expensive weaponry each year. How expensive? Hundreds of millions of dollars.

Then there is the issue of increasing corruption in countries who are riddled with these drug markets. Again, like in the 1920's, the revenue accumulated from the lucrative narcotics trade funds the bribes that corrupt the morality of governments such the administrations in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau. The most alarming example of a corrupting government is Kabul, a government propped up by NATO itself. When NATO, and the government itself props up becomes corrupt due to a prohibition on drugs, there can be no question that the "War on Drugs" is a failed policy.

Finally there is the economic strain the "War on Drugs" provides, and the potential economic boom legalization is capable of. It is common sense that whenever a war is being waged, whether it is a literal war or a figurative one, money needs to be invested. Thus, this whole "War on Drugs" is being funded by taxpayer dollars. As if that is not bad enough, the problem compounds itself because prohibition fund terrorist organizations which we fight in a completely separate war, hence the "War on Terror". Thus, the "War on Drugs" eats up more tax dollars than people think, because it funds the very organizations that tax payers are fighting to contain. This is just on an international level. On a local level, the situation is not any better. According to drugwarfacts.org there were over 1.5 million arrests due to drug possession or drug trafficking--almost half of the 1.5 million based on marijuana possession alone. Why is this a problem? The average cost to incarcerate an inmate is $49,000 taxpayer dollars. If you do the math, that is more than 73 billion tax payer dollars we are losing due to the prohibition of drugs in this country alone.

The economic situation concerning drugs takes a complete 180 degree turn when considering decriminalization. If the drug war ends, whatever money we spend on fighting this "War on Drugs" goes right back into taxpayer pockets. Whatever money we are spending on incarcerating those who sell or have possession of drugs? Right back into tax payer pockets. Whatever extra money we spend on the "War on Terror" because of the funding the "War on Drugs" provides terrorists? Right back into taxpayer pockets. However, it doesn't stop there. Essentially what happens, is an entire new market is created which helps create jobs, new sources of revenue, and the best part, because drugs are a health factor, the government will impose a heavy tax on them which will provide even more capital. Where does all this money go? Right into the taxpayer pockets.

Common sense tells us the "War on Drugs" is a detriment to society. Outdated notions and morals tell us otherwise. It is time we follow common sense and actually begin to help the world. Stop the "War on Drugs".