Drug War and Drug Policy

A still from the footage of the Trump administration striking a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean.

A Short History of the Long War on Drugs in Latin America A Short History of the Long War on Drugs in Latin America

How did we get to a moment when a president could order the serial killing of civilians, publicly share videos of the crimes, and find that the response is little more than a shru...

Nov 26, 2025 / Greg Grandin

East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood, where fatal drug overdose rates range between 15 to 25 times higher than in the United States and the rest of Canada.

On Trial for a Radical Approach to Reducing Drug Overdoses in British Columbia On Trial for a Radical Approach to Reducing Drug Overdoses in British Columbia

The Vancouver duo behind the Drug User Liberation Front faces 40 years behind bars for drug trafficking. But this is no ordinary case.

Oct 27, 2025 / Carl L. Hart

A still from the footage of the Trump administration striking a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean.

Trump’s Caribbean Killing Spree Trump’s Caribbean Killing Spree

The president’s unprecedented and lawless attacks supposedly target drug cartels, but serve a far more troubling political agenda.

Oct 21, 2025 / Greg Grandin

What Are Drugs For?

What Are Drugs For? What Are Drugs For?

A conversation with P.E. Moskowitz about the chemical imbalance theory of depression, the false schism between prescription and recreational drugs, and collective psychic pain.

Sep 11, 2025 / Emmeline Clein

A still from the footage of the Trump administration striking a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean.

With the Strike on a “Drug-Carrying Boat,” Trump Returns to a Dangerous US Policy for Latin America With the Strike on a “Drug-Carrying Boat,” Trump Returns to a Dangerous US Policy for Latin America

The attack on a ship off the Venezuelan coast is the first time the US has carried out a deadly military operation on its own in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.

Sep 8, 2025 / Michael Fox

Employees with Project Weber-Renew in Providence, Rhode Island.

This Overdose Prevention Center Isn’t Giving Up on Harm Reduction This Overdose Prevention Center Isn’t Giving Up on Harm Reduction

Over the past decade, overdose protections and programs like Project Weber-Renew have expanded, but with Trump back in office, this trend may be short lived.

Sep 2, 2025 / StudentNation / Fareed Salmon

Relatives of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos carry his coffin during his funeral service, one week after he took office, in Chilpancingo, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, October 7, 2024.

Why Are So Many Mexican Mayors Getting Murdered? Why Are So Many Mexican Mayors Getting Murdered?

A staggering number of mayors have been brutally killed in the past few years—and there’s no end in sight. What's going on?

Aug 8, 2025 / Oscar Lopez

Now That He’s Turned on Trump, Should Democrats  Align With Elon Musk?

Now That He’s Turned on Trump, Should Democrats Align With Elon Musk? Now That He’s Turned on Trump, Should Democrats Align With Elon Musk?

No! Hell no! Never! The enemy of your enemy is still a corrupt plutocrat who wants to destroy democracy.

Jun 9, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Elon Musk’s Real Drug Problem Is Much Worse Than You Think

Elon Musk’s Real Drug Problem Is Much Worse Than You Think Elon Musk’s Real Drug Problem Is Much Worse Than You Think

What happens when you mix ketamine, ecstasy, and mushrooms with far-right ideology? Spoiler: The results aren’t pretty.

Jun 2, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Activists outside the office of US Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO) in response to proposed cuts to Medicaid, on May 21, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Republicans’ “Big Beautiful” Medicaid Cuts Spur Rural Organizing Innovation Republicans’ “Big Beautiful” Medicaid Cuts Spur Rural Organizing Innovation

Taking away healthcare coverage isn’t just “morally wrong and politically suicidal,” in Senator Josh Hawley’s apt phrase. It’s also putting pressure on rural members of Congress.

May 30, 2025 / Erica Etelson

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