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Should we end a failed expensive war (the war or drugs) during these hard economic times?

By Douglas A. Berman

I have been thinking a lot lately about how the tough economic times are likely to impact crime and punishment realities. I fear that crime rates will inevitably rise because of rising unemployment and reductions in social services. But punishment rates, at least in terms of incarceration rates, cannot possibly also rise because most states are already unable to pay for all their tough-on-crime punishment practices. Against this backdrop and all the talk of the Great Depression, it is notable that this Friday we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 21st Amendment repealing alcohol prohibition.  (See, e.g., great BLT post here).  It is especially notable because a group of cops, judges and prosecutors who want to legalize drugs issued a report this week saying that ending the "war on drugs" will boost our economy by at least $76 billion a year and will put dangerous gangs and cartels out of business...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on December 03, 2008 (boomark / email).