The War on Drugs Is a War on Freedom

The war on drugs has been a disastrous failure. It has led to mass incarceration, disproportionately affecting minority communities. This has undermined the freedom and well-being of millions of people and their families.

The War on Drugs Is a War on Freedom

by Fahad Akhtar

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	654 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	122 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	304 pages
Item Weight	:	1 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 9.21 inches

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Mass Incarceration

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. In 2020, there were over 2.3 million people in prison or jail. The war on drugs has been a major driver of this mass incarceration.

According to the Sentencing Project, drug offenses accounted for over 44% of federal prison sentences in 2020. And, in 2019, over 80% of drug arrests were for possession offenses.

The war on drugs has disproportionately impacted minority communities. In 2020, Black people were 5.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug offenses than white people, even though they use drugs at similar rates.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

The war on drugs has also led to the erosion of civil liberties. For example, the police often use drug laws as a pretext for unconstitutional searches and seizures.

In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in Torres v. Texas that the police can use drug-sniffing dogs to conduct warrantless searches of homes.

The war on drugs has also led to the expansion of the surveillance state. For example, the government has created a vast network of cameras and sensors to monitor people's movements.

This surveillance state has been used to target and harass political activists and protesters.

Undermining Public Health

The war on drugs has also undermined public health. By criminalizing drug use, the government has made it more difficult for people to get the help they need.

For example, people who use drugs are often afraid to seek medical care because they fear arrest. This can lead to serious health problems, including overdose deaths.

The war on drugs has also made it more difficult to develop and implement effective drug prevention and treatment programs.

The war on drugs has been a disaster for our country. It has led to mass incarceration, the erosion of civil liberties, and the undermining of public health.

It is time to end the war on drugs and adopt a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to drug policy.

References

1. Sentencing Project. (2021). Report to the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Impact of the War on Drugs in the United States.
2. ACLU. (2021). The War on Drugs: A Failure.
3. Drug Policy Alliance. (2021). The Drug War.

The War on Drugs Is a War on Freedom

by Fahad Akhtar

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	654 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	122 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	304 pages
Item Weight	:	1 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 9.21 inches

FREE