New study supports what we already knew (Stiff drug laws lead to increased use.)

[JaggedEdge]

Here is part of the article:

The United States has some of the world's most punitive drug policies and has led the cheering section for tough "war on drugs" policies worldwide, but a new international study suggests that those policies have been a crashing failure. A World Health Organization survey of 17 countries, conducted by some of the world's leading substance abuse researchers, found that we have the highest rates of marijuana and cocaine use.
The numbers are startling. In the United States, 42.4 percent admitted having used marijuana. The only other nation that came close was New Zealand, another bastion of get-tough policies, at 41.9 percent. No one else was even close. The results for cocaine use were similar, with the United States leading the world by a large margin.


This study is important because it's the first time a respected international group has surveyed drug use around the world, using the same questions and procedure everywhere. While many countries have their own drug use surveys, the questions and methodology vary, and comparisons between countries are difficult. This new study eliminates that problem.


Some of the most striking numbers are from the Netherlands, where adults are permitted to possess a small of marijuana and purchase it from regulated businesses. Some U.S. officials have claimed that these Dutch policies have created some sort of decadent cesspool of drug abuse, but the new study demolishes such assertions: In the Netherlands, only 19.8 percent have used marijuana, less than half the U.S. figure.


Even more striking is what the researchers found when they asked young adults when they had started using marijuana. Again, the United States led the world, with 20.2 percent trying marijuana by age 15. No other country was even close, and in the Netherlands, just 7 percent used marijuana by 15 -- roughly one-third of the U.S. figure.

And the White House response:

Trying to find a link between drug use and drug enforcement doesn't make sense, said Tom Riley, spokesman for the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington. "The U.S. has high crime rates but we spend a lot on law enforcement and prison,'' Riley said yesterday in a telephone interview. "Should we spend less? We're just a different kind of country. We have higher drug use rates, a higher crime rate, many things that go with a highly free and mobile society."

Moron's.

For the full article click here.

JaggedEdge Reviewed by JaggedEdge on 07-03-2008. New study supports what we already knew (Stiff drug laws lead to increased use.) Here is part of the article: And the White House response: Moron's. Rating: 5

[HighTy]

it's like they totally ignored the point you were trying to make.

Ignorance

[jrv128]

No shit the drug war hasn't been working, and when Canada was going to decriminalize marijuana guess who pressured the Canadian Government hard not to? I guess Canada wasn't part of that study, since our numbers are pretty high too. :jointsmile:

[fishman3811]

So i guess no other country is as free as America thats why you have a high drug rate.What a load of crap why do we let these idiots run things?

[HerbalConfusion]

it's like they totally ignored the point you were trying to make.

Ignorance

Sorry he didnt write that article so they didnt ignore "his" point. Did you really think the drug guy responded to a cannabis.com member?

[HerbalConfusion]

it's like they totally ignored the point you were trying to make.

Ignorance

Sorry he didnt write that article so they didnt ignore "his" point. Did you really think Tom Riley is communicating with cannabis.com members.

[NaughtyDreadz]

No shit the drug war hasn't been working, and when Canada was going to decriminalize marijuana guess who pressured the Canadian Government hard not to? I guess Canada wasn't part of that study, since our numbers are pretty high too. :jointsmile:

but really.... what would be different than it is now??

[stinkyattic]

This part of the rebuttal just KILLS me:
""The U.S. has high crime rates but we spend a lot on law enforcement and prison...Should we spend less? We're just a different kind of country. We have higher drug use rates, a higher crime rate, many things that go with a highly free and mobile society.""
Well, of course! We SHOULD spend less on police and prison and put that money towards preventing crime in ways that WORK, such as education, including adult education, and urban revitalization projects. Many crimes that result in jail time (with the exception of possession of drugs) are a DIRECT result of economic desperation, a feeling of hopelessness/disenfranchisement, and nothing better to do. Someone with a career, responsibilities, and dreams is not going to feel the need to rob a convenience store.
I just can't believe how badly there is a failure in our government, the current administration in particular, to see the forest for the trees.

[jrv128]

but really.... what would be different than it is now??

You can still get arrested for possession, it sill is against the law, so if you ever ran into a real asshole cop he could charge you. Plus if I remember correctly didn't the bill also allow for a few personal plants legally.