Laura's Blog: Time to Legalize Drugs: How Ending the Drug War Would Support Human Rights in Mexico

How Ending the Drug War Would Support Human Rights in Mexico – CIP Americas: "Thousands of Mexicans took to the streets last week to protest violence related to drug trafficking and the Mexican government’s inability or unwillingness to prevent it. U.S. and international activists who want to show solidarity with the people of Mexico must recognize that the most effective step we can take is to bring the war on drugs to an end. ...

The U.S. drug war at home is a costly disaster. Rather the solution is to end prohibition, legally regulate drugs, treat drug addiction as a health issue, and remember that successful demand reduction mostly means reducing the demand among the heaviest users, which is best accomplished both by providing effective drug treatment and by allowing drug-addicted people to obtain the drugs they want or need from legal sources.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the failed drug war. It is long past time to find an exit strategy to this unwinnable war. Now is the time to put all options on the table. Too many people have died to wait any longer."