The global war on drugs

Ethan Nadelmann, a founder of the Drug Policy Alliance in New York, looks at Scotland's drug policy in an international context.

Every year governments enact more punitive and costly drug control measures. Every day politicians endorse harsher new drug war strategies. The result? Organised criminals, corrupted governments, eroded internal security, stimulated violence and distorted economic markets and moral values.

Realistic proposals to reduce drug-related crime, disease and death are abandoned in favour of rhetorical proposals to create drug-free societies. Too often those who call for open discussion, rigorous analysis of current policies, and serious consideration of alternatives are accused of “surrendering”. But the true surrender is when fear and inertia combine to shut off debate and dismiss all alternatives to current policies.

This lecture will not only look at Scotland's drug policy in an international context, but will also offer models and tactics for success from elsewhere.

Register to tell a friend about this lecture.

Comments

If you would like to comment about this lecture, please register here.

©2003-2006 Niminim Limited. Created by

Any ad revenue is entirely reinvested into the Lecture List's operating fund