Marson, J., Wernau, J., Luhnow, D. (2022, January 22). The once and future drug war. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 14, 2023, from https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-once-and-future-drug-war-11642780895
In the newspaper “The Once and Future Drug War” by James Marson, Julie Wernau, and David Luhnow, published by The Wall Street Journal
on January 22, 2022, the contributors discuss the current state and potential future of drug policy in the United States. Press argues that
despite efforts to shift towards a more compassionate and health-oriented approach to drug use, the United States is still largely pursuing a
punitive approach that disproportionately affects communities of color. He notes that the opioid epidemic has brought about some changes in
how drug addiction is viewed, but that these changes have been slow to take root. The author also explores the role of law enforcement and the
prison-industrial complex in perpetuating the drug war, and suggests that decriminalization and harm reduction strategies could be more
effective in addressing drug-related issues. Ultimately, Press concludes that significant changes to drug policy will require a shift in societal
attitudes towards drug use and addiction, as well as a willingness to address the underlying social and economic issues that contribute to drug
use.
- “The drug war has devastated communities of color, criminalized addiction, and contributed to mass incarceration. It has done little to reduce drug use or availability, while creating a host of new problems, such as the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases among injection drug users” (Marson et al, 2022).
- “The drug war has also undermined public health, by discouraging drug users from seeking medical care and harm reduction services for fear of arrest or punishment. And it has diverted resources away from other pressing public health issues, such as the opioid epidemic and rising rates of overdose deaths” (Marson et al, 2022)
