Case for Legalization (From Drugs, Crime, and Justice: Contemporary Perspectives, P 427-452, 1997, Larry K Gaines and Peter B Kraska, eds. -- See NCJ-165819)

• NCJ Number: 165837
• Author(s): E A Nadelmann
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

Although the idea of legalizing drugs is denounced by most politicians across the political spectrum, the author supports drug legalization as an effective alternative to failed drug law enforcement strategies.

Abstract

There is no single drug legalization strategy. At one extreme is the libertarian vision of virtually no government restraints in the production and sale of drugs; at the other extreme is total government control. Three reasons why it is important to think about drug legalization are cited: (1) current drug control policies have failed because they are fundamentally flawed; (2) many drug control strategies are costly and counterproductive; and (3) repealing many of the drug laws will not dramatically increase drug abuse. The expansion of drug law enforcement efforts over the past few years has had little effect on drug markets. The most successful operations are those aimed at identifying and destroying an entire drug trafficking organization. International drug control efforts have also been futile, particularly with respect to marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. The fact that drug prohibition laws and policies cannot eradicate or even significantly reduce drug abuse, however, is not necessarily a reason to repeal them since they can be successful in deterring many people from trying drugs and they clearly reduce the availability and increase the price of illegal drugs. Costs of drug law enforcement efforts and drug-related corruption are evaluated, the link between drugs and crime is considered, and specific benefits of drug legalization are noted. 2 notes