War on Drugs
The War on Drugs has been one of the most violent, costly and destructive policies in US history. After almost 40 years, with millions of people whose lives have been destroyed by incarceration and half a trillion of taxpayers' dollars spent, there are no signs that the war on drugs will be won. Recreational drugs are now as readily available as ever.
Drug related crime is rampant because prohibition has made drugs expensive for users and created a lucrative business for organized crime. Addicts will do just about anything to acquire the money to purchase drugs. Hardened criminals will do whatever it takes to bring the drugs across our border to the black market. Many innocent people get caught in the crossfire.
The War on Drugs costs the federal government about $13 billion a year, according to the 2009 ONDCP budget. With the total costs for all states included, it's over $40 billion per year.
My plan is to end the war on drugs immediately. This would benefit the country tremendously in several ways:
- Ending prohibition would put organized crime out of business overnight, including the violent drug cartels operating on the California-Mexico border.
- Save taxpayers billions by dissolving the ONDCP, DEA and all associated programs.
- Free up prisons and provide space for violent criminals.
This war on our own people has gone on much too long and it's time to put a stop to it once and for all.