We haven’t had a silly season ‘recreational drugs are really dangerous story’ yet but there’s still plenty of time. So here’s a quick summary of some research from the Netherlands, writes Richard Farmer.
War on drugs
Marr: it’s time to talk openly about drugs
Every week a staggering amount of Australians — around one million — consume illegal drugs. Given efforts to prohibit narcotics have comprehensively failed, why can’t we talk openly about drugs? asks David Marr.
The War on Drugs: misnamed and misdirected
America’s War on Drugs is actually war on people — a civil war fought against 28 million citizens. It has comprehensibly failed and the ramifications are dire, writes Doug Bandow.
Mexican drug cartels turn 2.0
In our country, the biggest threat an online commenter may face is moderation. In Mexico, it’s hanging. In Crikey’s latest blog Letter from the Editor Sophie Black discusses how the Mexican drug cartels are muscling into social media.
Dancing with metaphor: why Footloose is a commentary on the war on drugs
The new Footloose, irrespective of its cheesy dialogue, cut-out characters and overall air of giddy celebration, is now a relatively sophisticated commentary on the war on drugs, writes Luke Buckmaster.
Rick Perry: US could deploy troops to kill Mexican drug cartels
During a campaign speech in New Hampshire Republican presidential nominee Rick Perry raised the possibility of a bold new strategy to combat Mexican drug cartels: US military intervention, reports BBC News.
High level commissions report: the war on drugs has failed
The Global Commission on Drug Policy reviewed current ‘war on drugs’ policies and in their recently released report have decreed that the war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences, writes Richard Farmer.
Political snippets: Talking us all in deeper
The tragic deaths in Afghanistan of Australian servicemen keep coming and with every one of them our politicians keep talking us into the situation where there will be more of them.
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Pat Robertson keeps the faith on marijuana legalisation
Outspoken televangelist Pat Robertson, who earlier this year claimed the people of Haiti brought the earthquake upon themselves, has weighed in on the marijuana legalisation debate, revealing a surprisingly liberal attitude towards the war on drugs.
Rio’s cloud has a silver lining
It’s hard to imagine it at first, but last weekend’s carnage in Rio de Janeiro may actually have one positive result. It may give the world a deadline for coming to our senses about drug prohibition.
The magazine getting high on the economy’s lows
The global financial slump has been a disaster for most magazines, but for the mellow folk at High Times, it’s been a real trip, with more people toking up to get through the tough economic times. “Weed is recession proof,” says editor Bobby Black.
Mexico’s missing girls: where have they gone?
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico is dealing with the disappearances of over 24 young mainly middle class women. Drug war? Sold to prostitution in the US? There are no bodies and no clues.
Humankind cannot bear very much reality, especially about illicit drugs
How can a 1998-2007 global increase of opium production of 102% and cocaine production of 20% be accurately described as ‘containment’? Dr Alex Wodak writes.
Prosecutors have never had it so good
The legal system now in Victoria and in every other state of Australia is heavily weighted in favour of prosecutors, writes Greg Barns.
Drugs and sport: an obvious combination
Why exactly do we ban performance-enhancing drugs for athletes, wonders Dr James Connor?
Memo finance minister: War on drugs is all cost, no benefit
Drug law enforcement is throwing good money after bad, writes Dr Alex Wodak.
Brendan Nelson on drugs …
Harm minimisation? A need for new strategy in the war on drugs? Dr Nelson thinks so. Or thought so.
Ben Cousins and the futility of the war on drugs
Ben Cousins gets charged with possessing an illegal drug and thousands of dollars of Western Australian taxpayers’ money will be wasted on processing, charging and prosecuting him. Why not spend the money more wisely, argues Greg Barns.
Bronwyn’s drug stance a flashback to the ’80s
The 1980s are back. Bronwyn Bishop yesterday reminded us of the dire consequences of taking drugs. Her “drugs aren’t cool” rhetoric brought back memories of Nancy Reagan’s “Just say no” campaign, which sparked an enormous war on drugs that enlisted our favourite TV stars and cartoons of the era.
