HEY GUESS WHAT?????? The results of America's National Drug Control Strategy have been published and ReconsiDer member and attorney Mark Blum has taken a look at them. You probably won't be surprised at the results. What we'd like to know is "Where's the public uproar?" Is there a private business that could release an annual report with figures like these and expect no comment from its shareholders?

The results are finally in. We can now see for ourselves just what we have gotten for all the billions of dollars spent on the drug war by state and federal governments and for all the hundreds of thousands of souls imprisoned and lives ruined. In the name of this drug war, we have traded away freedom and domestic tranquility and have gone to war against our own people. We have surrendered our basic freedoms and given police and government incredible power to interfere with our lives. For what?

According to 2000 Annual Report, National Drug Control Strategy issued by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, disclosed proudly under the signatures of President Clinton and the then Director of National Drug Control Policy, “Czar” Gen. Barry McCaffrey, the following is the achievement of this nation’s drug war for the past 10 years:

For the period 1991-1999: The percentage of households reporting the use of any illegal drug during the previous month was UP. Eighth graders, tenth graders and 12^th graders reporting the use of any drug during the previous month was UP. Marijuana use was UP. First time marijuana use almost doubled from 1991 to 1998. The average age for first time marijuana use dropped from 17.8 years to 17.1 years. Meanwhile, the price of marijuana has fallen significantly during the same period. Federal marijuana seizures during the same period are up several thousand percent First time cocaine users for the period 1991 to 1997 nearly doubled. The average age of a first time cocaine user dropped from 21.5 years to 20.3 years of age. Current cocaine use shows a slight decrease. The average price for cocaine has dropped significantly. Of particular note is that cocaine purity has also diminished which shows the singular impact of the drug war. It also accounts for the increase in emergency room visits. Federal cocaine seizures during the same period of time were up slightly.Heroin use reports a huge jump in use from 1991 to 1998. First time users went up 60% and the average age for a first time heroin user dropped from 24.6 years of age in 1991 to 17.6 years of age in 1997. The average price of heroin has dropped and the purity levels are growing. Meanwhile, federal heroin seizures have dropped since 1991.

The same trends are reported with methamphetamines, ecstasy, and inhalants: use is skyrocketing, prices are dropping, the average age is dropping, and federal seizures are By comparison, the numbers for Youth and Alcohol show that from 1996 to 1999, there has been no change in the use of alcohol in the past month by 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th graders. Likewise, the number of 8^th, 10^th and 12^th graders who had 5+ drinks in the previous month remained unchanged. Clearly, the drug war has not impacted on Youth and Drinking.

To the credit of public education and not the criminal justice system, attitudes toward cigarettes are changing. Eighth and tenth graders show a slight decrease in cigarette use while 12^th grader’s use remained constant. Use of steroids by 8^th, 10^th and 12^th graders skyrocketed during this same period of time.

So, don’t take my word for it. The government has made it clear. For the money being spent, the price society is paying, and the huge industry that has arisen around it, the drug war is a colossal failure. Of late, the only defenders of the Drug War are those whose income is dependant on it.

I say, end the Drug War. Declare a full and complete amnesty. It is time to rethink our entire prohibition policy. Prohibition has never worked. It never will.

Mark David Blum, Esq.

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