Drug War Strategy Harmful to U.S.

According to a report issued last week by the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, 22.6 million Americans 12 and older – a sobering 8.9% of America – used illegal drugs in 2010. Caucus co-chairs Iowa’s Chuck Grassley and California’s Dianne Feinstein estimate drug abuse and addiction costs the United States a whopping $193 billion a year in preventable health care, law enforcement and addiction expenses.

If those running for office in 2012 were serious about getting government under control and providing a shot-in-the-arm to the economy, they would talk about drug use.

Talking helped in the early 1980s when Nancy Reagan told America to “just say no.” Athletes and celebrities joined the cause. Buttons, t-shirts, billboards, and television commercials with the catchphrase in Mrs. Reagan’s favorite red seemed inescapable and were ridiculed on occasion. But, something worked. Drug use dropped. Turns out when you talk to people, many respond. It may be time for another talk, but something more is needed this time.

The discourse back then exposed the link between illicit drug use and crime and violence. Drug abuse was seen to contribute to the decline of the family and as a destructive force in society. The U.S. spectacularly overreacted by spending billions of dollars militarizing an international “drug war” and underreacted impressively by not adequately implementing programs aimed at slowing demand at home. Even with those failings some progress was made.

Thirty years later, terrorism, the economy and school kids falling behind tend to dominate political debate. Missed by the politicians and media talking heads is our nation’s dirty little drug problem, the common contributing factor to each of these issues.

Profits of the drug trade fund many terrorism organizations. The loss of productivity, the cost of our bloated prison systems and the vast sums of money spent beyond and within our borders stifles economic success in jaw-dropping proportions. And, too many of our children are lost to drugs regardless of what happens in the classroom.

Prescription drugs are as much a part of this as illicit drugs. The American notion a pill can solve every problem may actually be killing us – overdose deaths from prescription painkillers now outnumber those involving heroin and cocaine combined.

Treating those with drug problems is more effective and costs less than what we spend implementing mandatory prison time for drug offenses. Equally, tough policies that produce bloodshed offshore and well away from American eyes have little impact and need to be scrapped.

When a candidate stands before the cameras and, lump in throat, voices patriotic support of capitalism he is likely thinking about shiny skyscrapers, technological advances and the rise of the once mighty middle class. He isn’t thinking of the capitalism driving the violence raging in the streets of Mexican villages and, to a lesser degree, our own hometowns. The seekers of votes ignore the evil side of capitalism. America’s seemingly insatiable appetite for drugs provides a bountiful income drug manufacturers, drug runners and purveyors of terror ruthlessly pursue.

The U.S. spends billions taking the battle to countries where drugs are grown and/or manufactured, and where transportation hubs bringing drugs to the lucrative American market are located. In Mexico’s case, this strategy has weakened it to the point where vast sections of the country wallow in lawlessness. More than 50,000 drug-related murders have occurred in Mexico in the last five years. The economy of Mexico, if not the country itself, sits precariously on the brink of collapse due in large part to our inability to deal with our problem. It’s time to rethink the United States’ military-style drug war.

There is convincing evidence decriminalizing certain substances reduces demand. Even if that data is discounted, there is little to show legalizing a substance like marijuana increases demand. Freeing law enforcement and the courts from handling minor possession infractions promises significant benefits. For other illicit and prescription drugs, we need to focus more on the behaviors of Americans and less on stopping the production and transfer in countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico and Afghanistan.

The Feinstein/Grassley report contains 13 findings and corresponding recommendations. It outlines the problems and hints at a few solutions. But, our national drug addiction will not be solved with hints just as it was not with ribbons and slogans.

Those vying for election need to honestly confront the drug issue. Doing so will make many Americans uncomfortable and bring on the wrath of powerful interest groups, but every war worth winning tends to do that.

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Graham Gillette can be reached at grahamgillette@gmail.com 
This entry was first published as a Des Moines Register online essay.