NCJ Number
111304
Journal
Foreign Policy Issue: 70 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 83-108
Date Published
1988
Length
26 pages
Annotation
The United States should consider legalizing drug use and should consult Latin American governments in developing more effective and less costly drug policies.
Abstract
The drug prohibition policies of the United States have been ineffective at home and abroad. The economies of Latin American nations benefit greatly from the sale of drugs to the illicit American market. Latin American countries are therefore reluctant to join the United States in enforcing a drug prohibition policy. Moreover, the illegal acts can be easily carried out without detection, so enforcement costs are high. It the use of drugs were made legal, the high profits would go out of the drug trade and it would be managed like current alcohol, tobacco, and coffee exports. The author presents statistics showing that drug use is not addictive or dangerous for most people. Because most drugs are no more addictive or dangerous than alcohol, they should not be controlled more than alcohol and tobacco. America's internal and international policies on drug use should parallel its policies on alcohol and tobacco use. That is, adult Americans should be free to choose what substances they consume and what risks they take. The domestic and international costs of trying to coerce Americans to abstain from drugs are enormous. If drug use is made lawful, American relations with Latin American countries will improve. 7 footnotes.