84% of Brits think the war on drugs has failed

[shogdite]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/war-on-drugs-failed-decriminalise-illegal-use



An increasing proportion of Britons favours a more liberal approach to drugs and would support decriminalisation strategies, according to a comprehensive survey commissioned by the Observer.

An overwhelming majority also believes that the so-called "war on drugs" is futile, with 84% saying that the decades-long campaign by law enforcement agencies against the global narcotics trade can never be won.

The poll provides welcome reading for those campaigning for illegal drugs to be decriminalised, with 27% saying that Britain's drug laws are not liberal enough. A previous Observer survey into the nation's drug-taking habits, in 2008, recorded a figure of 18%, suggesting a society that is steadily moving towards greater tolerance of drug use.

The proportion of Britons who believe certain drugs should be decriminalised has risen from 27% to 39% since 2008.

More than half (52%) support the introduction of initiatives like that recently pioneered by two US states, Colorado and Washington. Colorado's decision to legalise the sale of recreational marijuana has been hailed a success by some, with reductions of crime reported in the state capital of Denver and concerns about social breakdown yet to be borne out.

In the UK, however, there appears to be little appetite among Tories for a fresh look at drugs policy despite David Cameron, as a young MP, endorsing more lenient penalties for ecstasy possession and formerly sitting on a parliamentary committee that called for an international debate on the legalisation of drugs. The Liberal Democrats are currently examining the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use and allowing cannabis to be sold on the open market. This week the party will discuss a policy paper advocating such options at its annual conference.

Prohibition has failed to curb the popularity of narcotics, as the number of Britons who have taken drugs continues to increase. Almost a third of the adult population – up from 27% in 2008 to 31% now – say they have taken an illegal substance – about 15 million people. While men and women are equally likely to have taken drugs, those aged 35-44 are the most likely to have used narcotics, with almost half this age group having taken them.

Across all age ranges, around three million people continue to take drugs, half of whom are aged 16-34.

If drugs were decriminalised, however, the proportion of Britons who have never previously tried drugs but who would consider doing so in the future would increase fourfold to 16%, offering some proof to hardliners that drug laws act as a deterrent.

The effect would be most pronounced among young people. Among 16- to 24-year-olds, 30% of those who have never taken drugs say they would consider doing so if substances were decriminalised.

The recession appears to have a had an impact on drug consumption. In the 2008 poll, conducted towards the beginning of the global economic slump, 35% of users were more likely to use drugs in a pub/club/bar environment. This has now fallen to 16%, possibly an indication of more straitened circumstances. Users spend an average of £74.36 on drugs each month, compared with the £54.58 an average drinker spends on alcohol a month or the £76.73 a smoker spends on tobacco.

Concerns that legal highs would create an explosion in drug use have yet to appear, with only one in 10 Britons saying they had tried them. Among those aged 25-34 the proportion to have tried legal highs almost doubles to 19%.

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[jaysabi]

We're going through a similar shift in America. We have some states that have legalized marijuana, even though it remains illegal on the federal level, and the public is becoming more tolerant of recreational drug use. To my mind, I don't see a distinction between alcohol and drugs, and there's more than enough evidence that prohibition doesn't work and leads to violent crime. But I suppose we're never going to be rid of people who think they have the right to tell other folks how they should live their lives.

[mnmShadyBTC]

We're going through a similar shift in America. We have some states that have legalized marijuana, even though it remains illegal on the federal level, and the public is becoming more tolerant of recreational drug use. To my mind, I don't see a distinction between alcohol and drugs, and there's more than enough evidence that prohibition doesn't work and leads to violent crime. But I suppose we're never going to be rid of people who think they have the right to tell other folks how they should live their lives.

If it is illegal on the federal level then it is outright illegal. Federal law trumps state law as per the US Constitution. The Obama administration has decided to ignore the constitution and the law.

I would say that people in the western world are starting to take a more liberal stance towards the war on drugs and drug use

[MichaelBliss]

Depending on what you think the goals of "the war on drugs" were.   Now we have never-ending war on nouns, especially "terror".  War makes up half the US's spending, and half their GDP.  I'd say the war on drugs has been extremely successful from the point of view of those waging/profiting from it.

[jaysabi]

We're going through a similar shift in America. We have some states that have legalized marijuana, even though it remains illegal on the federal level, and the public is becoming more tolerant of recreational drug use. To my mind, I don't see a distinction between alcohol and drugs, and there's more than enough evidence that prohibition doesn't work and leads to violent crime. But I suppose we're never going to be rid of people who think they have the right to tell other folks how they should live their lives.

If it is illegal on the federal level then it is outright illegal. Federal law trumps state law as per the US Constitution. The Obama administration has decided to ignore the constitution and the law.

I would say that people in the western world are starting to take a more liberal stance towards the war on drugs and drug use

That's a question of semantics. Is it "illegal" if there's a law on the books that's not enforced? Technically perhaps, but the null enforcement acts as if it didn't exist. If there's an immoral law on the books, should something that violates that law still be considered "illegal" given that the law is wrong and outdated? There are things that used to be illegal that just seem stupid now, like interracial marriage for example. It used to be "illegal" but that was clearly an immoral and unconstitutional law.

As for ignoring the Constitution, I am by no means a fan of Obama at all, but the President takes an oath to defend the Constitution. I would say he has a moral obligation not to enforce any law he believes to be unconstitutional. Of course, the executive branch doesn't have the power to interpret the Constitution, so I would add that the President must enforce any law that the Supreme Court has explicitly ruled to be constitutional, but has an "out" to not enforce a law absent such a ruling that he has a reasonable basis to believe is unconstitutional. I wouldn't say that's necessarily this situation, but I would say that the federal law is immoral, because it needlessly restricts freedom.

[ElitistCA]

war on drugs is all about making profit, nothing more.

[spazzdla]

war on drugs is all about making profit, nothing more.

Yup, many judges and politicans should be hung publically for the horrors they have set upon this world.  Probably flayed alive actually.

[BitCoinNutJob]

UK is looking good for decriminalization of drugs in under 5 years.  Cant see the conservatives doing this and not that it makes much difference but labour is getting in next election judging by the polls, perhaps something will change 

[cutesakura]

drugs is the number one enemy that can destroy a nation, when many young people in a country already taking drugs, so watch the destruction of the nation, it is very easy if we want to destroy a country, destroy the youth was first ... hopefully the youth of our country are not taking drugs, we can start from ourselves ... 

[money420weed]

war on drugs is all about making profit, nothing more.

I would disagree. The war on drugs is to protect people from being manipulated and from becoming addicted to drugs beyond their control. When someone is addicted to drugs they tend to commit more crimes so they can continue to feed their addiction

[transient858]

drugs is the number one enemy that can destroy a nation, when many young people in a country already taking drugs, so watch the destruction of the nation, it is very easy if we want to destroy a country, destroy the youth was first ... hopefully the youth of our country are not taking drugs, we can start from ourselves ... 

Education against drug start from home. Can't expect the government to protect someone who want to harm themselves.

[Ekaros]

war on drugs is all about making profit, nothing more.

I would disagree. The war on drugs is to protect people from being manipulated and from becoming addicted to drugs beyond their control. When someone is addicted to drugs they tend to commit more crimes so they can continue to feed their addiction

I would agree on keeping certain drugs off-limits, but the current policy of having two allowed and everything else banned isn't a good one.

Stuff like marijuana, khat maybe LSD, mushrooms and such I don't see point of banning adults from using.

Now heroin, crack, meth and stuff like crocodile yes... No point allowing them outside controlled circumstances.

[Timetwister]

What does the government have to do with what people do with their bodies? Let people produce and consume drugs if they want.

[crazy-pilot]

What does the government have to do with what people do with their bodies? Let people produce and consume drugs if they want.

The problem is drugs don't only affect the bodies but on the peoples minds. Drugs are addictive and has other harmful efects. Have you been to a country with rampant drug problems?

[bryant.coleman]

If the drugs are legalized, the prison population will be reduced by more than 75% and the violent crimes will decrease by more than half. Now... who doesn't want that to happen? The organized crime gangs...

[freedomno1]

Deregulation doesn't necessarily mean bad things will happen it means it will be easier to monitor and reduce the costs of policing and the strength of drug cartels, might have some money shifting to preventative care and drug houses but in all a net benefit to society.

Kind of a tricky one but from what we know an alternative approach may work best.

[hodap]

If the drugs are legalized, the prison population will be reduced by more than 75% and the violent crimes will decrease by more than half. Now... who doesn't want that to happen? The organized crime gangs...

And the prison industry complex is benefiting from the increase prisoners also.

[jaysabi]

If the drugs are legalized, the prison population will be reduced by more than 75% and the violent crimes will decrease by more than half. Now... who doesn't want that to happen? The organized crime gangs...

And the prison industry complex is benefiting from the increase prisoners also.

A for-profit prison system is a scourge of a "free" people. There are some limits to where the free market should be allowed to go, and imprisonment is one of those limits.

[Sunderland]

I guess every country in the world still not win on war againts drug , specially in 3rd world country.
Death penalty for drug dealer is the answer , no matter big dealer or only small dealer.
Can you imagine how much money has been burn for Drug everyday in this world ? A LOT
And money can buy anything in this world , not all but 90% yes it can
So war againts drug will never ending in short time , or maybe will not end at all

[samaricanin]

war on drugs is all about making profit, nothing more.

It's not war on drugs, it's war for drugs 

[SecureExchange]

as long as the police can be bribed, the truth wont ever come out...

[bryant.coleman]

A for-profit prison system is a scourge of a "free" people. There are some limits to where the free market should be allowed to go, and imprisonment is one of those limits.

I am not for abandoning the imprisonment completely. But I'll partially agree with you by saying that private companies should be banned from the prison business. It should be run by the government.

[koshgel]

84% is an overwhelming majority. Hopefully policy changes will be made on a government level to reflect that.

Prohibition has failed to curb the popularity of narcotics, as the number of Britons who have taken drugs continues to increase.

I despise the argument by anti-drug supporters that claim drug use will rise if they are legalized. Illegality doesn't lead to no access. It only leads to black market sales which are dangerous and unsafe.

[mnmShadyBTC]

84% is an overwhelming majority. Hopefully policy changes will be made on a government level to reflect that.

Prohibition has failed to curb the popularity of narcotics, as the number of Britons who have taken drugs continues to increase.

I despise the argument by anti-drug supporters that claim drug use will rise if they are legalized. Illegality doesn't lead to no access. It only leads to black market sales which are dangerous and unsafe.

Most drugs that are illegal are dangerous regardless of where they are sold. This is simply based on the effects that the drugs have on you. The few drugs that are not dangerous will often cause people to get involved in dangerous drugs.

I don't see how you can link how safe a drug is with weather or not it is sold on the black market

[Professor Plums]

I want to know who are the 16% that think the war has been won.

84% is an overwhelming majority. Hopefully policy changes will be made on a government level to reflect that.

Prohibition has failed to curb the popularity of narcotics, as the number of Britons who have taken drugs continues to increase.

I despise the argument by anti-drug supporters that claim drug use will rise if they are legalized. Illegality doesn't lead to no access. It only leads to black market sales which are dangerous and unsafe.

Most drugs that are illegal are dangerous regardless of where they are sold. This is simply based on the effects that the drugs have on you. The few drugs that are not dangerous will often cause people to get involved in dangerous drugs.

I don't see how you can link how safe a drug is with weather or not it is sold on the black market

Why are cigarettes and alcohol legal? Those are the two 'gateway drugs'. They're also very dangerous and kill millions, more so than most of the other illegal drugs combined.

[Sunderland]

legit tax from alcohol and cigarettes is needed by Gov.
In some 3rd country tax from both stuff is the biggest income for their Gov.

[jaysabi]

legit tax from alcohol and cigarettes is needed by Gov.
In some 3rd country tax from both stuff is the biggest income for their Gov.

Just because the government can make money from taxing it doesn't mean it should be legal. I'm all for legalization, I just don't think that particular argument is sound. The government could make a lot of money from selling "slapping licenses" too that allow you to slap anyone without repercussion. That doesn't mean that's why slapping should be legal.

[koshgel]

84% is an overwhelming majority. Hopefully policy changes will be made on a government level to reflect that.

Prohibition has failed to curb the popularity of narcotics, as the number of Britons who have taken drugs continues to increase.

I despise the argument by anti-drug supporters that claim drug use will rise if they are legalized. Illegality doesn't lead to no access. It only leads to black market sales which are dangerous and unsafe.

Most drugs that are illegal are dangerous regardless of where they are sold. This is simply based on the effects that the drugs have on you. The few drugs that are not dangerous will often cause people to get involved in dangerous drugs.

I don't see how you can link how safe a drug is with weather or not it is sold on the black market

That argument is equally ridiculous. Anything when abused can be harmful to you. If you eat too much, you'll get fat and have heart disease. You take too many prescription pain killers, you become addicted and have liver issues.  Alcohol and cigarettes are legal but abuse of either will lead to cancer or liver failure.

Many of those drugs that are illegal - amphetamines, cocaine, heroine - are altered in street sales which contributes to the danger. The pure forms or derivatives created in labs are still used to treat people medicinally.

[DhaniBoy]

severe punishment to the death penalty could reduce drug trafficking and illicit drugs, in addition to the raids against the ports of drug in each country must continue to be made, sometimes there is the behavior of state officials who are trying to protect illicit goods business, with the hope that they will benefit which is greater than the narcotics business, the conduct of the officials of this country should be followed up, because it would be fatal for the nation ... hopefully the fate of the youth in a country is not contaminated by narcotics ...