Drug War and Drug Policy

Massacre in Mexico

Massacre in Mexico Massacre in Mexico

The murder of students in Guerrero is raising questions once again about the complicity of law enforcement and public officials in Mexico's drug wars.

Oct 24, 2014 / Laura Carlsen and Foreign Policy In Focus

Jail Time Is a Terrible Way to Treat Substance Abuse

Jail Time Is a Terrible Way to Treat Substance Abuse Jail Time Is a Terrible Way to Treat Substance Abuse

By facilitating access to treatment and services, Seattle’s drug-enforcement program actually helps those suffering from substance abuse, while revolutionizing criminal justice.

Oct 16, 2014 / Kara Dansky

Maricopa County's Tent City jail in Phoenix.

What Happens When A City Decides to Offer Addicts Services, Not Prison Sentences? What Happens When A City Decides to Offer Addicts Services, Not Prison Sentences?

Inspired by Seattle, Santa Fe adopts the LEAD program to divert people arrested for drug possession away from the criminal justice system and into treatment.

Oct 15, 2014 / Aaron Miguel Cantú

Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Addiction: Do These Sound Like Crimes?

Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Addiction: Do These Sound Like Crimes? Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Addiction: Do These Sound Like Crimes?

Why are we letting these serious social problems be handled by the criminal justice system?

Oct 9, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Washington Snubs Bolivia on Drug Policy Reform, Again

Washington Snubs Bolivia on Drug Policy Reform, Again Washington Snubs Bolivia on Drug Policy Reform, Again

Bolivia has found a way to cut coca production without sacrificing the leaf's cultural importance or cracking down on small growers. But Washington's not having it.

Sep 22, 2014 / Zoe Pearson, Thomas Grisaffi, and Foreign Policy In Focus

The End of Reefer Madness?

The End of Reefer Madness? The End of Reefer Madness?

An examination into our broken cannabis policy is well overdue—and should be about more than just marijuana.

Aug 4, 2014 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

The ‘New York Times’ Editorial Board Calls for the Legalization of Marijuana The ‘New York Times’ Editorial Board Calls for the Legalization of Marijuana

The vision of these editors We always had was wrong. They’re not some guys with pipes and tweeds. They’re more like Cheech and Chong.

Jul 30, 2014 / Column / Calvin Trillin

How the Mexican Drug Trade Thrives on Free Trade

How the Mexican Drug Trade Thrives on Free Trade How the Mexican Drug Trade Thrives on Free Trade

While President Peña Nieto celebrates the Aztec Tiger, Mexico’s cartels reach deeper into the legal economy.

Jul 15, 2014 / Christy Thornton and Adam Goodman

The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal

The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal

Opponents of marijuana-law reform insist that legalization is dangerous—but the biggest threat is to their own bottom line.

Jul 2, 2014 / Feature / Lee Fang

Report: SWAT Teams Armed With Military Equipment Spend Most of Their Time Waging the Drug War

Report: SWAT Teams Armed With Military Equipment Spend Most of Their Time Waging the Drug War Report: SWAT Teams Armed With Military Equipment Spend Most of Their Time Waging the Drug War

The ACLU finds that SWAT teams spend more time kicking down suspected drug offenders’ doors than rescuing hostages or stopping gunmen.

Jun 24, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

x