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The War on Drugs places the unrealistic ideal of a "drug-free America" above the value of the lives of drug users, abusers, their loved ones, and their communities. It is cruel, costly, and counterproductive. Like Alcohol Prohibition, the drug war breeds corruption, lawlessness, and violence. Moreover, the drug war disproportionately harms racial minorities and other underprivileged people.
SHOT DEAD BY U.S. MILITARY
Esequiel Hernandez, Jr., an18-year-old goat herder who never used or sold illegal drugs, was shot and killed in 1997 by a Marine patrolling near the Texas border town where he lived. Because Esequiel was a young, Hispanic male carrying a rifle (to protect his goats from wild animals), the Marine assumed that he was a drug smuggler. |
"Casual drug users should be taken out and shot. Smoke a joint, lose your life."
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former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates, September 5, 1990
(founder of D.A.R.E. program) |
- In 1994, the president signed a law authorizing the death penalty for certain nonviolent drug crimes -- including growing 60,000 marijuana plants or possessing 60,000 kilograms of marijuana.
- The following year, a bill was introduced to reduce the cut-off to 30,000 plants or kilograms. Fortunately, it did not pass (yet).
- In 1996, Newt Gingrich introduced a bill mandating the death penaltyfor bringing two ounces of marijuana into the country! Thankfully, it also did not pass (yet).
This is the direction in which we are headed.
It's time to change the course.
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If UUs don't take a stand against this cruel, counterproductive war, who will?
By passing the drug policy Statement of Conscience in June 2002, Unitarian Universalists are now in a position to help develop and promote drug policies designed to reduce the harm associated with currently illicit drugs -- including the harm caused or exacerbated by the policies themselves.
In general, drug abuse should be treated primarily as a health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue:
"The single stupidest set of public policies in America today are the policies regarding drugs."
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U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
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- The UU Principles affirm the worth and dignity of all people. UUDPR asserts that drug users and abusers should therefore be treated with respect, tolerance, patience and kindness. Rather than zealously trying to achieve the unattainable goal of wiping out any use of drugs, effective, age-appropriate education should help people prevent destructive relationships with any drugs (including alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and pharmaceuticals, as well as the currently illicit drugs). All segments of the population should learn about the effects of different drugs, the relative risks, the reasons people take drugs, a variety of safer alternatives to drugs, how to prevent use from turning into abuse, and how to recognize and get help for abuse.
- A wide variety of treatment programs should be readily available to all drug abusers. Such programs should be tailored to meet individual needs and desired treatment outcomes. In addition, we should increase the likelihood that abusers will seek treatment by reducing stigma and improving outreach.
for more information, please e-mail CharlesThomas@UUDPR.org.
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