Gimme Culture

letterstomycountry:

Money quote:

With transit countries facing some of the highest homicide rates in the world, so great is the frustration that the leaders are demanding that the United States and Europe consider steps toward legalization if they do not curb their appetite for drugs.

Drug use has not meaningfully declined at any time in the recent past, or at any time over the course of the past 30-40 years that Drug War policies have been in effect.  Prohibiting non-violent, recreational conduct does not work.  It just drives it underground and produces as much or more violence and anti-social behavior as would exist if we simply left people to make their own choices about whether and what drugs to use, or not to use.  

Prohibition and punishment doesn’t work.  Harm Prevention works.  It’s time to decriminalize, legalize, and save lives, both north and south of the border.