Understanding,and Finding Solutions to,

Today’s Prohibition

Understanding,and Finding Solutions to,

Today’s Prohibition

Pete GuitherPete Guither

Cocaine EradicationCocaine Eradication

•While Plan Colombia succeeded in eradicating thousands of acres of coca, the overall coca output increased, through improved farming methods and spreading the crops into less accessible locations.

•While Plan Colombia succeeded in eradicating thousands of acres of coca, the overall coca output increased, through improved farming methods and spreading the crops into less accessible locations.

Cocaine InterdictionCocaine Interdiction

•1986-1994 — The DEA seized over one million kilograms of Cocaine.

•1986-1994 — The DEA seized over one million kilograms of Cocaine.

A380 AirbusA380 Airbus

AfghanistanAfghanistan

MarijuanaMarijuana

•Mexico

•Canada

•Backyards

•Closets

•Mexico

•Canada

•Backyards

•Closets

Arrest and IncarcerationArrest and Incarceration

The United States has5% of the world’s population,but 25% of the world’s prison

population

The United States has5% of the world’s population,but 25% of the world’s prison

population

What Prohibition DoesWhat Prohibition Does

Jack Cole, Law Enforcement Against

Prohibition

Jack Cole, Law Enforcement Against

Prohibition

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Those who Love Prohibition

Those who Love Prohibition

Prohibition Side-effectsProhibition Side-effects

Illegal Alcohol StillIllegal Alcohol Still

Illegal Meth LabIllegal Meth Lab

Drug War VictimsDrug War Victims

The Cons of ProhibitionThe Cons of Prohibition• Enormous Taxpayer Costs in enforcement, courts,

prisons

• Fueling crime through attractive black-market profits

• Creation of a prison/criminal class

• The lures to corruption

• Destruction of families and inner cities

• Racial implications

• Escalating violence (both sides)

• Not helping those who need it most

• Enormous Taxpayer Costs in enforcement, courts, prisons

• Fueling crime through attractive black-market profits

• Creation of a prison/criminal class

• The lures to corruption

• Destruction of families and inner cities

• Racial implications

• Escalating violence (both sides)

• Not helping those who need it most

And people stillAnd people stillabuse drugs!abuse drugs!

The cons of LegalizationThe cons of Legalization

•There may possibly be an increase of some unknown number of people in use and/or abuse of drugs (although evidence suggests otherwise).

•The “message” we send to children

•There may possibly be an increase of some unknown number of people in use and/or abuse of drugs (although evidence suggests otherwise).

•The “message” we send to children

The solutionThe solution

•Treatment. Education.

•Not “tough on drugs” but “smart on drugs”

•Legalize and Regulate.

•Treatment. Education.

•Not “tough on drugs” but “smart on drugs”

•Legalize and Regulate.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition www.LEAP.ccLaw Enforcement Against Prohibition www.LEAP.cc

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QuestionsQuestions