The War on Drugs: A Costly Failure with Far-Reaching Consequences

Strategic Insights -

The United States' drug policy has been a costly failure, with the number of Americans in prison for drug offenses multiplying by 10 since 1980, from 41,000 to 458,000 (Justice Policy Institute). Despite this, drugs are more available than ever, and more young people are using them. The Republican and Democratic parties have remained silent on the issue, fearful of being labeled as soft on drugs. However, the silence is about to be broken, as Senator John McCain and other politicians brave enough to challenge their parties' wishes will participate in shadow conventions discussing the failed war on drugs, campaign finance, and the gap between rich and poor.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of Americans in prison for drug offenses has increased by 10 times since 1980, from 41,000 to 458,000 (Justice Policy Institute).
  • 44 percent of drug arrests in 1997 were for possession of marijuana (Justice Policy Institute).
  • Blacks are disproportionately more likely to be imprisoned for drug offenses, with 62.7 percent of drug offenders sentenced to prison being black, despite making up only 13 percent of regular drug users (Human Rights Watch).
  • Studies have shown that states with higher rates of imprisonment for drug offenses have higher rates of drug use, contrary to the idea that harsh sentences would serve as a deterrent (Justice Policy Institute).
  • The cost of incarcerating Americans in prison for drug offenses is staggering, with an annual cost of $9 billion (Justice Policy Institute).
  • The shadow conventions, the brainchild of Arianna Huffington, will bring together participants from all camps to discuss the failed war on drugs, campaign finance, and the gap between rich and poor.

Statistics:

  • 10 times as many Americans are in prison for drug offenses today as in 1980 (Justice Policy Institute).
  • 458,000 men and women are currently imprisoned in the United States for drug charges (Justice Policy Institute).
  • 80 percent of drug arrests in 1997 were for possession (Justice Policy Institute).
  • 44 percent of drug arrests in 1997 were for possession of marijuana (Justice Policy Institute).
  • Blacks make up 62.7 percent of drug offenders sentenced to prison, despite making up only 13 percent of regular drug users (Human Rights Watch).
  • The cost of incarcerating Americans in prison for drug offenses is $9 billion per year (Justice Policy Institute).
  • The annual rate of imprisonment for drug offenses in the United States has nearly quadrupled, from 31 per 100,000 in 1986 to 122 per 100,000 in 1996 (Justice Policy Institute).

Sources:

  • Justice Policy Institute, "A Generation of Failure: 25 Years of the War on Drugs" (no date).
  • Human Rights Watch, "Racial Disparities in the Drug War" (no date).
  • The Economist, "The War on Drugs: A Failure" (no date).
  • Ralph Nader, "Statement on the Clinton Administration's Civil Liberties Record" (no date).