For the 497th Time: End the War on Drugs!

And this time it’s not just a few liberals, libertarians and weirdos saying this. This time it’s, well, everybody else in the world.

There will be an international conference next month in Vienna. This conference will include the International Center for Science in Drug Policy and the International AIDS Society, among other groups. Some of the group leaders issued a statement yesterday:

“The criminalization of illicit drug users is fueling the HIV epidemic and has resulted in overwhelmingly negative health and social consequences. A full policy reorientation is needed.”

They also said there’s no evidence that Draconian prison sentences are having any impact whatsoever on illicit drug use. But on the bright side, there’s a booming job market for prison guards.

Julio Montaner, president of the International AIDS Society, said:

“Many of us in AIDS research and care confront the devastating impacts of misguided drug policies every day. As scientists, we are committed to raising our collective voice to promote evidence-based approaches to illicit drug policy that start by recognizing that addiction is a medical condition, not a crime.”

Evan Wood, founder of the International Center for Science in Drug Policy, said:

“The current approach to drug policy is ineffective because it neglects proven and evidence-based interventions, while pouring a massive amount of public funds and human resources into expensive and futile enforcement measures. It's time to accept the war on drugs has failed and create drug policies that can meaningfully protect community health and safety using evidence, not ideology.”

The rest of the world seems to be moving forward. Which way will America go?