War on drugs


Guy Rundle: Dope reform a sign of Obama’s worth and intent

Barack Obama has transformed the US overnight, from a country with one of the harshest anti-dope regimes, to one with some of the most liberal in the world.

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.

Obama picks a drug peacemaker

With any luck, Obama and his new drug czar will at least try the experiment of making policy on the basis of evidence rather than hysteria, writes Charles Richardson.

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.