UK Former Defense Minister Urges Legalization of Drugs

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 05:31:00 AM EST
Tags: war on drugs (all tags)

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Prohibition was a failure. The War on Drugs is a failure. Maybe it's time to try a new approach.

Former UK Defense Minister Bob Ainsworth says it's time to legalize drugs. The methods of the past, including prohibition, don't work. They fail to keep the public safe.

The war on drugs has been "nothing short of a disaster" and it is time to study other options, including decriminalising possession of drugs and legally regulating their production and supply. "We must take the trade away from organised criminals and hand it to the control of doctors and pharmacists."

[More...]

Now free to speak his mind, Ainsworth says:

"My experience as defence secretary, with specific responsibilities in Afghanistan, showed to me that the war on drugs creates the very conditions that perpetuate the illegal trade, while undermining international development and security.

"My departure from the front benches gives me the freedom to express my long-held view that, whilst it was put in place with the best of intentions, the war on drugs has been nothing short of a disaster."

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UK Former Defense Minister Urges Legalization of Drugs | 5 comments (5 topical)

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i'd have to respectuflly disagree. (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by cpinva on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:25:42 PM EST

the "war on drugs" has been a spectacular success, for those with a financial/political vested interest, and there are 1,000's. they've made millions and been elected to public office, all based on the "war on drugs".

and that's why it continues, absence of any evidence of actual success notwithstanding.

Maybe it's time to (none / 0) (#1)
by SOS on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 09:06:19 AM EST

look at the "system" . . One which basically makes people depressed, frustrated, and unhappy . . then gives them pills and drugs to hide the symptoms.

If war ends, market would crash... (none / 0) (#2)
by Yes2Truth on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:05:41 PM EST

and Congress would appropriate tax revenues to
fund many (covert) intelligence operations, since
CIA would no longer benefit from drugs marketing.

GOP would rail against raising taxes, so O would
"compromise" by allowing CIA to only be involved
with drugs businesses outside US borders.

Funny thing... (none / 0) (#4)
by diogenes on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 10:35:58 PM EST

It's mostly FORMER politicians who oppose the war on drugs when they leave. This guy could have spoken up when he was defense secretary and when it would have mattered. Looks like he is trying to posture for future ambitions.

: More likely (none / 0) (#5)
by sj on Fri Dec 17, 2010 at 10:09:10 AM EST

He was posturing then for his previous ambitions.