Trump’s Clarion Call to Re-Weaponize ‘Drug War’
US President
"It's vital for public health and national security that we fight drug addiction and stop all forms of trafficking and smuggling that provide the financial lifeblood for vicious transnational cartels," he told the
That rhetoric, without any reference to the public health nature of drug addiction, must be music to the ears of Philippine President
The nonbinding US initiative consists mostly of general principles including a reaffirmed commitment to "tackle the world drug problem in full conformity with international law." But if Trump's approach to drugs starts to drive global policy, a return to the worst abuses of the drug wars seems likely.
Stamping out trafficking and smuggling were bedrock objectives of the old US-led "war on drugs" that filled the world's prisons, unleashed horrific violence, and corrupted governments. But it didn't reduce the availability, price, use, or lethality of currently illegal drugs. And no strong-arm measures anywhere have been able to "cut off supply and stop trafficking," as Trump is urging.
Another announcement last week offered a different approach.
Governments should reject Trump's call to re-weaponize the international drug war and instead treat addiction as public health issue. They should convert aspects of the illegal drug trade into well-regulated commerce to help reduce violence and weaken the influence of organized crime.
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