Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What You Can Do About It

Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About it, James P. Gray, Temple University Press, 2001

The War on Drugs has been a complete failure in America. It hasn't reduced the amount of drugs entering this country, it hasn't reduced their availability on the streets or raised the price, and it has thrown tens of thousands of people in prison who don't deserve to be there. Through personal experience, the author, a former prosecutor and current Superior Court judge in California, gives the details.

He looks at the historical perspective, including the connection between Drug prohibition and Alcohol Prohibition in the early 20th century. he huge amounts of money involved in drugs have corrupted even the most upstanding public officials. As the cities have reached their 'drugs capacity,' gangs and other drug sellers have been exploring new markets in small towns. Another victim in the War on Drugs has been the Bill of Rights. Above everything else is the absolute explosion in America's prison population because of drug laws. More violent prisoners are being released after serving a fraction of their sentences so as to house all those first-time drug offenders.

The reason for the lack of debate on America's drug policy is that the prison-industrial complex and those who like things just the way they are equate any change in the drugs policy with giving drugs to children. Did you know that there is a federal law in effect which forbids the teaching in schools of any drug policy other than total abstinence?

Among the proposals advocated by the author are: needle exchange, hemp legalization, ending the federal subsidy on tobacco, make quality drug treatment available for everyone, reform asset forfeiture laws, strict probation for non-violent offenders, take the profit out of the drug market, etc.

This isn't a wild-eyed, pro-drug radical saying these things; this is a judge and ex-prosecutor in one of the most conservative counties in America saying these things. It is long past time for a change in America's drug policy; this book will be a huge help. It is very highly recommended, for everyone.