Taxpayer and Public Policy Groups Urge Halt to Failed “War on Drugs”

The heads of two leading organizations promoting alternatives to the drug war today called upon the U.S. Congress to defund and halt the failed 40-year-old “War on Drugs.” A major taxpayer organization was praised for pointing out the enormous waste of taxpayer dollars that flow into the pockets of bureaucrats who make their living fighting this so-called “war.”

“The war on drugs has cost taxpayers more than a trillion dollars and yet drugs are still readily available and in most cases cheaper and more potent than 40 years ago,” said Bill Piper, Director of National Affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the nation’s leading organization promoting alternatives to the drug war.

“It’s great to see Taxpayers United of America (TUA) stand up for taxpayers in support of cheaper and more effective drug policies. I hope other taxpayer groups follow in its footsteps.” (Misguided “War on Drugs” Has Cost Taxpayers $1 Trillion, June 6.)

A recent report issued by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which includes the past-presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Columbia, recommends that governments explore legalizing and regulating drugs to block profits to drug cartels.

“These prominent world leaders recognize an undeniable reality. The use of marijuana, which is objectively less harmful than alcohol, is widespread and will never be eliminated,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project. “They acknowledge that there are only two choices moving forward. We can maintain marijuana’s status as a wholly illegal substance and steer billions of dollars toward drug cartels and other criminal actors. Or, we can encourage nations to make the adult use of marijuana legal and have it sold in regulated stores by legitimate, taxpaying business people.

“At long last, we have world leaders embracing the more rational choice and advocating for legal, regulated markets for marijuana. We praise these world leaders for their willingness to advocate for this sensible approach to marijuana policy.”

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