Big Idea 2013: This Year, the War on Drugs Ends

If a business strategy were failing and instead of curbing a problem made it worse, would you keep it going or would you stop and consider an alternative course?

Strangely, the trillion dollar war on drugs has persisted for 40 years even though it is the most dismal global policy failure of our time. Why do I care and why should you?

Millions of otherwise productive lives are wasted and lost in jail for marijuana possession and other nonviolent drug violations. California could raise an estimated US $1.4B in annual revenue if it taxed and regulated the sale of marijuana – so imagine the revenue that is keeping the underworld in business.

I’m a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and we have been looking at this issue for the last two years. There are countries – such as Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, UK and Netherlands - that have adopted alternative strategies with promising results.

I’d like the business community to help figure out what can be done for countries to take a hard look at the failures of the drug war and adopt humane solutions that focus on education and health care rather than criminalization and incarceration. Let’s make 2013 the year we Break The Taboo.


Photo: Virgin


Sirley Maria Jr. Lubreto

SirleyMaria|Yeye|Chiquita |???????????????? ?????????????设计??????????♂???CreativeJob Seeker, Research position ??????????????????????????also ShirleyLubreto grewup 1200 S.GreenwayDr CoralGables

8 年

Stop consuming put your money on good business, use the money on other things that give you pleasure, clothes, vacation, eating out with friends.

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Sarah Biffle

Building cool things @ Twilio

8 年

You should check out this article for an outline of what the war on drugs has looked like throughout history in the US, which drugs are banned and why, where the war is now and legislation surrounding this “war” throughout the US. https://www.billtrack50.com/blog/civil-rights/the-war-on-drugs-americas-number-one-public-enemy/

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Abbas Mouffok

Executive Partner | Strategic Operations & Supply Chain Management | Category Management | Solution-Focused Leader | Project Management

9 年

I couldn't disagree more. Legalization of drugs is not a humane solution. Education and healthcare must be complementary to criminalization. One must ask: Why are drugs illegal? Maybe because it makes lose your mind and consciousness. Therefore, being neither safe for yourself nor others.

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Duncan Michelsen

volunteer at the warehouse

10 年

seems like there is a big crocodile in the way of global explosion of drugs!

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Roweshea Burruss

Most Worshipful Grand Master at Knights of Templar Grand Lodge #1001 Washington D.C. A.F. & A.M

10 年

Richard Branson need help on our projects for 2015 war on drugs saving our future young men and women we are too moving forward with same thing new

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