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IPFS News Link • Drug War

Lessons from Portugal about Ending the Drug War

• https://fee.org, by Daniel J. Mitchell

When I explain to people how the government's War on Drugs violates the rights of people to do dumb things to their own bodies, they intellectually understand but they're usually not convinced.

When I also explain why the Drug War causes additional crime and enriches mobsters, they almost always nod their heads in agreement but resist the obvious implication that we should decriminalize.

When I then explain that the War on Drugs has led to horrific policies such as civil asset forfeiture and senseless policies such as costly and ineffective money-laundering laws, they agree that the consequences are bad but they're generally unpersuaded about legalization.

The stumbling block in every case is that they fear decriminalization will lead to more drug use, more addiction, and more suffering families.


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