Public awareness of the inefficacy and injustice of America's "War on Drugs" has grown to the point that a majority of Americans now agree that the nation's drug policies have failed.  As drug problems continue to plague urban, suburban and rural areas, it is quite clear that prohibition and incarceration have failed to remedy this social and public health issue.  Though ineffective in abating drug use, the War on Drugs does have very strong effects.  Much like drugs themselves, the War on Drugs has destroyed lives, families, communities, and the ideals of Freedom and Liberty that inspired this nation.

CONTRIBUTION TO MASS INCARCERATION
The United States has the world's second highest incarceration rate.  Of over 200 nations, only one (Seychelles, a small group of Islands off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean, with a population of under 100,000) incarcerates more of its people per capita.  Astonishingly, India and China, nations with four times our population, have smaller prison populations.  While the US accounts for only 5% of the world population, a whopping 25% of those behind bars are here in the land of the free.  But what does this have to do with drugs?  Well, according to the ACLU, a quarter of all those behind bars were arrested for drug violations.  Main stream America is heavily desensitized to the incarceration of black and Latino men.  The consequence is that some people will get arrested and sentenced to jail for marijuana, and meanwhile, others are given diversion programs for possession of cocaine and heroin.  Incarceration has become big business, too, with a strong lobby that seeks harsher punishments for bigger profits.  The War on Drugs may not stop people from using drugs, but it does result in many people, too often poor people and people of color, being caged and dehumanized for victimless "crimes."

DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECTS ON MINORITY POPULATIONS
Drug use is not more common in minority communities.  Nevertheless, drug arrests are much more common, and incarceration is a much more likely consequence when the offender is black or Latino.  Worse yet is that certain laws directly favor white drug users.  Two prominent examples of this are the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, as well as less severe penalties for methamphetamine in many jurisdictions (including California, before the passage of Prop 47).  In fact, at its very inception, the War on Drugs was aimed at thwarting civil rights and anti-war protests.

FOREIGN APPROACHES TO ADDICTION
While the US has employed harsh drug laws and strict punishments for drug use, many other countries have taken much more libertarian approaches, often with emphasis on treatment of addiction as a medical, rather than criminal issue.  Portugal, for example decriminalized all drugs, resulting in lower rates of drug use and fewer drug-related fatalities.  Switzerland's "harm reduction" approach (including free methodone clinics, free needle exchanges, etc.) has also helped the nation reduce crime rates, drug-related deaths and drastically cut the rate of HIV infections.  Historically, the Netherlands have been at the forefront of treating drug use and addiction as a public health issue, rather than as a criminal issue.  MORE DRUG POLICIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MORE WAR ON DRUGS INFORMATION
A Brief History of the War on Drugs:  Initiated in 1971 by President Richard Nixon, the War on Drugs .  in the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan led a strong campaign to impose harsher punishments on drug use, specifically targeting crack cocaine.

War on Drugs Wikipedia:  A comprehensive article including the history of the War on Drugs, legality, incarceration, foreign policy implications, socio-economic impacts, US government involvement in drug trafficking and more.

DEFENDING DRUG CRIMES IN LOS ANGELES
If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a drug crime, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar now for a Free Consultation with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney.  213-375-3775.  Drug crime defense requires an up to date knowledge of the various drug laws, available programs and recent developments in Fourth Amendment interpretations, as search and seizure issues are commonly central to drug crime defense.  Additionally, drug crimes often involve asset seizures, such as cash, automobiles, medical marijuana and more.

CONCLUSION
The War on Drugs has been a complete and utter disaster.  Our government took the wrong approach to dealing with drug use problems, and then rather than attempting to adjust, just seemed to ramp up the force behind flawed policy.  Drug laws need to be reformed, regardless of what lobbyists for the prison industry, alcohol industry and others have to say about it.  It's time, and the people are on board.