“bullet” Transform Drug Policy Foundation has a wonderful chart showing the differences between (in general) the drug policy Status Quo position and the Reform position. Here are a few samples:
| Status Quo position | Reform position |
| Illegal drug use must be eradicated | People have always used drugs,and illegal drug use cannot be eradicated |
| Any use of illegal drugs is problematic | Most illegal drug use is non-problematic. Many of the health harms associated with illegal drug use are actually because they are illegal. |
| Legalisation and regulation is a step into the unknown | We have centuries of experience in legally regulating thousands of different drugs |
| Drug law reform is being forced through by the ‘liberal elite‰ | Drug law reform is supported by individuals from across the social and political spectrum |
| Prohibition protects the health of individuals |
Prohibition creates new public health problems and maximises harms associated with illegal drug use |
| Prohibition sends an important message about avoiding drugs and their dangers | The criminal justice system should not be used to send public health messages. |
| Prohibition is based on a strong moral position that drugs are unacceptable | The policy that is most effective at reducing harm and maximising well being is the moral position |
| Prohibition controls drug use and drug markets | Prohibition abdicates control of illegal drug production and supply to the criminal networks and unregulated dealers |
There are a lot more at Transform
“bullet” This is something we mentioned in passing earlier this year, but Maia Szalavitz has a strong article in Reason about Mitt Romney and his connection to child torturer Mel Sembler (founder of Straight, Inc.): Romney, Torture, and Teens
“bullet” Via Drug Policy Alliance:
The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) made history last weekend by passing a resolution calling for a public health approach to the problems of substance use and abuse (PDF). The resolution was sponsored by Mayor Rocky Anderson of Salt Lake City.
The resolution proclaims the war on drugs a failure, and calls for ‹a New Bottom Line in U.S. drug policy, a public health approach that concentrates more fully on reducing the negative consequences associated with drug abuse, while ensuring that our policies do not exacerbate these problems or create new social problems of their own.Š
Servetus on Catholic bishops fear marijuana and freethinking: “An ancient Egyptian mug was found by a USF professor to have once contained hallucinogens: 15-Nov-2024–A University of South Florida…” Nov 17, 20:11
