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1

2

Before 1914 heroin could be bought Before 1914 heroin could be bought from grocery storesfrom grocery stores

1.3 %1.3 %of population was of population was addicted to drugsaddicted to drugs

3

The Many Faces of Jack ColeThe Many Faces of Jack Cole

19641964

19701970

4

19701970Percent of population addictedPercent of population addicted

1.3 %1.3 %

5

Deaths as result of drug cultureDeaths as result of drug culture

1970 = Less likely than1970 = Less likely than

Falling down stairsFalling down stairs

Choking on foodChoking on food

6

Drug Problem?Drug Problem?

1970 = Soft Drugs1970 = Soft Drugs

Hard Drugs virtually Hard Drugs virtually unheard of…unheard of…

7

DEA Briefing Book 2001DEA Briefing Book 2001

1970 1.5 %$6.37

$0.80 38 %38 %

$3.90$3.90 3.6%3.6%

8

DEA Briefing Book 2001DEA Briefing Book 2001

1970 1.5 %$6.37

$0.80 38 %38 %

$3.90$3.90 3.6%3.6%

By 2008 street level heroin was 60% pure

10

US Drug Users According to DEAUS Drug Users According to DEA

1965 = 4 million1965 = 4 millionTwo percent of that Two percent of that

populationpopulation

TodayToday = 112 million = 112 million46 percent of 46 percent of

this populationthis population

11

Money spent fighting the Drug WarMoney spent fighting the Drug War

1970 = $100 million1970 = $100 million

TodayToday = $70 billion = $70 billion

12

Drug seizures for local or Drug seizures for local or state police in 1970 state police in 1970

One ounce of CocaineOne ounce of Cocaine

One quarter ounce of HeroinOne quarter ounce of Heroin

13

Drug seizures by 2002Drug seizures by 2002

Ten tons of HeroinTen tons of Heroin

Twenty tons of Twenty tons of CocaineCocaine

14

Wholesale Cocaine CostsWholesale Cocaine Costs

60 %60 %LESSLESS

15

Wholesale Heroin CostsWholesale Heroin Costs

70 %70 %LESSLESS

16

Heroin Overdose RateHeroin Overdose Rateper 100,000 usersper 100,000 users

1979 = 28 Deaths1979 = 28 Deaths

2000 = 141 Deaths2000 = 141 Deaths

17

Marijuana Arrests and Total Drug Arrests in the US

Marijuana Arrests and Total Drug Arrests in the USMarijuana Arrests and Total Drug Arrests in the US

YearYearTotal Drug Total Drug

ArrestsArrestsTotal Marijuana Total Marijuana

ArrestsArrests

Marijuana Marijuana Trafficking/Sale Trafficking/Sale

ArrestsArrests

Marijuana Marijuana Possession Possession

ArrestsArrests

20052005 1,865,7121,865,712 771,605771,605 87,28687,286 684,319684,319

20002000 1,579,5661,579,566 734,497734,497 88,45588,455 646,042646,042

19991999 1,532,2001,532,200 704,812704,812 84,27184,271 620,541620,541

19981998 1,559,1001,559,100 682,885682,885 84,19184,191 598,694598,694

19971997 1,583,6001,583,600 695,201695,201 88,68288,682 606,519606,519

19961996 1,506,2001,506,200 641,642641,642 94,89194,891 546,751546,751

19951995 1,476,1001,476,100 588,964588,964 85,61485,614 503,350503,350

19901990 1,089,5001,089,500 326,850326,850 66,46066,460 260,390260,390

19801980 580,900580,900 401,982401,982 63,31863,318 338,664338,664

19701970 415,600415,600 180,000180,000      

Drug Arrests QuadrupledDrug Arrests Quadrupled

1.9 million1.9 million 44%44% 89 %89 %

½ Million½ Million

18

US Tax Dollars SpentUS Tax Dollars SpentProsecuting the War on DrugsProsecuting the War on Drugs

One One TrillionTrillion

19

Cumulative U.S. Drug Arrests 1970 to 2005Cumulative U.S. Drug Arrests 1970 to 2005

41 Million41 Million

ArrestsArrests

20

20022002Percent of population addictedPercent of population addicted

1.3 %1.3 %

21

Percent of population addictedPercent of population addicted--Nothing has changed----Nothing has changed--

1.3 %1.3 % When drugs legalWhen drugs legal

1.3 %1.3 % When drugs illegalWhen drugs illegal

1.3 %1.3 % After 40 year warAfter 40 year war

22

Clearance Rates for Violent and Property CrimesClearance Rates for Violent and Property Crimes

UnsolvedUnsolved40% of murders40% of murders

60% of rapes & arsons60% of rapes & arsons75% of robberies75% of robberies

23

1963 Police Credited 1963 Police Credited With solvingWith solving

91 % of Murders91 % of MurdersToday

61 % of Murders

Murder ClearanceMurder Clearance

1966 Miranda Warning 1968 FBI Uniform Crime Reports

1970 War on Drugs

1983 Crack in LA, CA

Percent of Clearance by arrest for murders in the US

From 1965 to 200824

25

30 Percent 30 Percent Fewer Solved Fewer Solved

MurdersMurders

Chasing Chasing nonviolent Drug nonviolent Drug

UsersUsers

26

No Longer No Longer Protect us from Protect us from

VIOLENTVIOLENTPredatorsPredators

27

How Has Prohibition ChangedHow Has Prohibition ChangedDrug Use in US Schools?Drug Use in US Schools?

School children report it School children report it is easier to buy illegal is easier to buy illegal drugs than it is to buy drugs than it is to buy

beer or cigarettesbeer or cigarettes

28

International Trade in International Trade in Illicit DrugsIllicit Drugs

Annually generates:Annually generates:

$500 billion$500 billion

29

This is a mere $207 millionThis is a mere $207 million

$500 billion$500 billionwould cover a room would cover a room 2,415 times this size2,415 times this size

30

Drug Lords don’t Drug Lords don’t count their moneycount their money

$1 Million in $1 Million in hundred dollar bills hundred dollar bills weighs 37.1 pounds weighs 37.1 pounds

31

Alternative Policy SolutionAlternative Policy Solution

Remove the Remove the profit motiveprofit motive

continuously enhanced for 40 years by thecontinuously enhanced for 40 years by the

United States policy of aUnited States policy of a

WAR ON DRUGSWAR ON DRUGS

32

End ProhibitionEnd Prohibition1. Legalize Drugs1. Legalize Drugs

33

Decriminalizing DrugsDecriminalizing Drugs

Netherlands in 1976Netherlands in 1976Portugal in 2001Portugal in 2001Mexico in 2009Mexico in 2009

Argentina in 2009Argentina in 2009

34

Won’t legalization cause Won’t legalization cause everyone to use drugs?everyone to use drugs?National Zogby PollIf heroin and

cocain were made legal would you

try them?

Less than 6/10 Less than 6/10 of one percent of one percent

said Yessaid Yes

35

Won’t legalization cause Won’t legalization cause everyone to use drugs?everyone to use drugs?

In the Netherlands

Marijuana use by tenth graders28 %28 %

36

Marijuana use by Marijuana use by tenth graders in thetenth graders in the

United StatesUnited States

41 %41 %

37

Drug and Violence Indicators Drug and Violence Indicators - US and the Netherlands- US and the Netherlands - -

Marijuana UseMarijuana Use Lifetime prevalenceLifetime prevalence

37% 17%37% 17%USA Netherlands

Heroin UseHeroin UseLifetime prevalenceLifetime prevalence

1.4% 0.4%1.4% 0.4% USA Netherlands

Homicide rateHomicide rateper 100,000 populationper 100,000 population

5.6 1.55.6 1.5 USA Netherlands

38

Decreased by 25%

drug use by 13 to 15 year olds

In PortugalIn Portugal

39

Decreased by 22%

drug use by 16 to 19 year olds

In PortugalIn Portugal

40

Decreased by 52%

Heroin overdose deaths

In PortugalIn Portugal

41

Decreased by 71%

HIV infections reported by drug

users

In PortugalIn Portugal

42

To Stop Police

Coruption

Decriminalized all drugs 21 August 2009

MexicoMexico

43

Arresting for drug use and possession is

Unconstitutional

Supreme Court ruled on 24 August 2009

ArgentinaArgentina

44

Incarceration Rates inIncarceration Rates inEuropean NationsEuropean Nations

At or belowAt or below

150150Per 100,000 populationPer 100,000 population

45

Incarceration Rates in theIncarceration Rates in theUnited StatesUnited States

By March 2008By March 2008

1,0091,009Per 100,000 populationPer 100,000 population

46

Federal Drug Imprisonments

Percentage Increase of Federal Prisoners from 1970 - 2005

-300%

0%

300%

600%

900%

1200%

1500%

1800%

2100%

2400%

2700%

Cum

ulat

ive

Incr

ease

Drug Offender Non Drug Offender

+2,558%+2,558%

+294%+294%3,3843,384

17,30217,302

47

International Prisoner International Prisoner Comparison per 100,000 Comparison per 100,000

PopulatioPopulatio

Crimes and Imprisonment per capita

93

86

80

80

76

72

62

45

43

38

38

36

34

33

23

23

22

21

20

16

16

13

12

10

4

4

3

2

67

147

1009

128

93

75

85

156

333

186

67

79

120

236

235

147

292

628

148

150

155

426

345

91

112

104

401

202

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Denmark:

United Kingdom:

United States:

Netherlands:

Germany:

Norway:

France:

Hungary:

Estonia:

Czech Republic:

Italy:

Switzerland:

Portugal:

Poland:

Lithuania:

Spain:

Latvia:

Russia:

Bulgaria:

Romania:

Slovakia:

Belarus:

Ukraine:

Greece:

Turkey:

Armenia:

Georgia:

Azerbaijan:

Crimes per 1,000 population Imprisonment per 100,000 population

Countries indicated in Green Countries indicated in Green have initiated some type of have initiated some type of

decriminalization of illicit drugs.decriminalization of illicit drugs.

What does imprisoning What does imprisoning people for Non-Violent people for Non-Violent

drug violations have to do drug violations have to do with reducing crime?with reducing crime?

48

Who Uses and Sells Drugs?Who Uses and Sells Drugs?

Whites constitute Whites constitute 72% of all drug 72% of all drug users in the USusers in the US

Blacks constitute Blacks constitute 13.5% of all drug 13.5% of all drug

users in the USusers in the US

49

Who Gets Arrested?Who Gets Arrested?

37% of those 37% of those arrested for drug arrested for drug

violations are Blackviolations are Black

50

Who Goes to Prison?Who Goes to Prison?

60% of those in60% of those instate prisons for state prisons for drug feloniesdrug felonies are are

BlackBlack

81% of federal 81% of federal drug offenders drug offenders

are blackare black

51

Who Goes to Prison?Who Goes to Prison?

Blacks Blacks are now serving are now serving an average ofan average of six years six years, ,

while while whites whites are serving are serving onlyonly four years four years..

52

Bureau of Justice StatisticsBureau of Justice Statistics

DisenfranchisementDisenfranchisement

14% of black men 14% of black men lost right to votelost right to vote

Black male born Black male born today has atoday has a one- one-

in-three in-three chance of chance of serving time in serving time in

prisonprison

Of convicted defendantsOf convicted defendants

33% of whites 33% of whites received a prison received a prison

sentencesentence

Nine in 10 prisoners Nine in 10 prisoners serving mandatory sentences serving mandatory sentences for drug offenses in New York for drug offenses in New York

State prisonsState prisons areare

black or Latinoblack or Latino

Of convicted defendantsOf convicted defendants

51% of Blacks 51% of Blacks received prison received prison

sentencessentences

DisenfranchisementDisenfranchisement

In Texas 31% of In Texas 31% of black men lost black men lost right to voteright to vote

53

Incarceration Rates in theIncarceration Rates in theUnited StatesUnited StatesWhite MalesWhite Males

943943Per 100,000 populationPer 100,000 population

54

Incarceration Rate of Black MalesIncarceration Rate of Black MalesPer 100,000 populationPer 100,000 population

South Africa - 1993 South Africa - 1993 Under ApartheidUnder Apartheid 851851

United States - 2008United States - 2008Under ProhibitionUnder Prohibition 6,6676,667

55

Outcomes ofOutcomes ofLegalizationLegalization

1.9 million less people 1.9 million less people arrested each year arrested each year

70 Billion Dollars saved 70 Billion Dollars saved each yeareach year

56

End ProhibitionEnd Prohibition1. Legalize Drugs1. Legalize Drugs

2. Have the federal 2. Have the federal government produce government produce

those drugsthose drugs

57

Outcomes ofOutcomes ofGovernment ProductionGovernment Production

1. Quality controlled 1. Quality controlled production for consistencyproduction for consistency

2. Standardized 2. Standardized measurement and potencymeasurement and potency

End of overdosesEnd of overdoses

58

1. 1. Legalize DrugsLegalize Drugs2. Government production2. Government production

3. Sell drugs to adults 3. Sell drugs to adults from state package from state package

stores and Tax the salesstores and Tax the sales

59

1. 1. Legalize DrugsLegalize Drugs2. Government production2. Government production

3. Distribute free maintenance doses of

drugs to any adult requesting them

60

Results of treating heroin Results of treating heroin addiction with heroinaddiction with heroin

SwitzerlandSwitzerlandNetherlandsNetherlands

GermanyGermanyDenmarkDenmark

61

Results of treating heroin Results of treating heroin addiction with heroinaddiction with heroin

Crime was cut Crime was cut by 60%by 60%

AIDSAIDSandand

HEPATITISHEPATITISdropped to the lowest of dropped to the lowest of any countries in Europeany countries in Europe

82 % DECLINE82 % DECLINEIN NEWIN NEW

HEROIN USERS!HEROIN USERS!

Not one Not one Overdose DeathOverdose Death

since 1994since 1994

62

1. 1. Legalize DrugsLegalize Drugs2. Government production2. Government production3. Distribute free doses3. Distribute free doses

4. Redirect money saved to 4. Redirect money saved to programs that offer people programs that offer people

hope for the futurehope for the future

63

Programs offering hopePrograms offering hopeGuaranteed MinimumsGuaranteed Minimums

Education -Education -

Health Care -Health Care -

Housing -Housing -

Job TrainingJob Training

EmploymentEmployment

Livable WagesLivable Wages

64

Programs offering hopePrograms offering hope

Rehabilitation Rehabilitation CentersCenters

65

Results of offering people Results of offering people hope for the futurehope for the future

Less need to use drugsLess need to use drugs

Less drug addictsLess drug addicts

66

1. 1. Legalize DrugsLegalize Drugs2. Government production2. Government production

3. Distribute free doses3. Distribute free doses4.4. Create hope for the future Create hope for the future

5. Redirect money saved 5. Redirect money saved to programs that offer true to programs that offer true

education about drugseducation about drugs

67

Does Education Work?Does Education Work?

1985 1985 United StatesUnited States

42%42% smoked tobaccosmoked tobacco

2003 2003 United StatesUnited States

Only Only 21%21% smoked tobaccosmoked tobacco

68

1. 1. Legalize DrugsLegalize Drugs2. Government production2. Government production

3. Distribute free doses3. Distribute free doses

4. Create hope for the future4. Create hope for the future

5. Educate users and public5. Educate users and public

69

Albert Einstein on ProhibitionAlbert Einstein on ProhibitionThe prestige of government has The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition considerably by the Prohibition law. For nothing is more law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the destructive of respect for the government and the law of the government and the law of the land than passing laws which land than passing laws which cannot be enforcedcannot be enforced. It is an open . It is an open secret that the dangerous secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this.is closely connected with this.

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

70

Prohibition - When will we learn?Prohibition - When will we learn?

Members of the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform pose for a photograph in 1932 (courtesy of the Hagly Museum and Library, Wilmington, Delaware).  We are having to relearn the same lesson today that they learned 69 years ago.

71

Prohibition - When will we learn?Prohibition - When will we learn?

Members of the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform pose for a photograph in 1932 (courtesy of the Hagly Museum and Library, Wilmington, Delaware).  We are having to relearn the same lesson today that they learned 69 years ago.

Save our ChildrenSave our ChildrenStampStampOut Out

ProhibitionProhibition

Members of the Women's Organization for National Prohibition ReformMembers of the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform

72

Save our Save our ChildrenChildren

Stamp Out Stamp Out ProhibitionProhibition

73

www.leap.www.leap.cccc

www.leapwww.leap.cc.cc

74

Alcohol Prohibition Didn’t Work EitherAlcohol Prohibition Didn’t Work Either

15,000 saloons15,000 saloons

32,000 32,000 SpeakeasysSpeakeasys

75

30-Day Prevalence of Use of Methamphetamine1999 to 2007

3%

6%

9%

12%

15%

18%

21%

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade

Methamphetamine use decreased Methamphetamine use decreased Since 1999Since 1999

-45% for 8-45% for 8thth Graders Graders-78% for 10-78% for 10thth Graders Graders-65% for 12-65% for 12thth Graders Graders

76

Inmates there for crimes to Inmates there for crimes to get money to buy drugsget money to buy drugs

State Prisons = 17%State Prisons = 17%Jails = 13%Jails = 13%

Federal Inmates = 18%Federal Inmates = 18%

77

Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug (2001 – 2007)Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug (2001 – 2007)

Prevelance of Use of Any Illicit Drug in Last Month

5

7

9

11

13

15

17

19

21

23

25

27

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Per

cen

t8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade

From DEA PresentationFrom DEA Presentation

78

Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug (2001 – 2007)Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug (2001 – 2007)

Prevelance of Use of Any Illicit Drug in Last Month

5

7

9

11

13

15

17

19

21

23

25

27

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Pe

rce

nt

8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade

79

Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug in the Last Monthin the Last Month

Monitoring the Future Monitoring the Future 2007 Prevalence of Use of 2007 Prevalence of Use of

illicit Drugsillicit Drugs

8th 8th GradeGrade

10th 10th GradeGrade

12th 12th GradeGrade

DEA presentationDEA presentation

(2001-2007)(2001-2007) -37% -37% -26% -26% -15% -15%

LEAP presentationLEAP presentation

(1991-2007)(1991-2007) 30% 30% 46% 46% 34% 34%

80

Increased Prevalence of Increased Prevalence of Monthly Marijuana UseMonthly Marijuana Use

(1990 – 2005)(1990 – 2005)

AgeAge12-1712-17

AgeAge18-2418-24

AgeAge25-3425-34

AgeAge35+35+ TotalTotal

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

68%68% 48%48% -10%-10% 103%103% 43%43%