80 organisations call for an end to the drug war in order to protect children

Protect the Kids: End the Drug War

Militarized Drug War Feeds Forced Migration and Mass Incarceration

52,000 Latin American Children Fleeing Home to Border and 2.7 Million U.S. Children with Parent Behind Bars

In recent weeks, the plight of the 52,000 unaccompanied children apprehended at the U.S.border since last October, many of whom are fleeing drug war violence in Central America, haspermeated our national consciousness. The devastating consequences of the drug war have notonly been felt in Latin America, they are also having ravaging effects here at home. All toooften, children are on the frontlines of this misguided war that knows no borders or color lines.

In Latin America, the core of this crisis can be directly linked to the longstanding drug war theUnited States has waged in the region. The U.S.’s militarization campaign to combat drugtrafficking has resulted in the destabilization of major parts of Central America, increasedmurder rates, and mass disappearances. Half of the 10 cities with the highest homicide rates in the world are found in the small region of Central America. This epidemic of violence destroys lives and diminishes opportunities for creating viable livelihoods, leaving children in these countries with little choice but to embark on the treacherous journey to the U.S. in search of refuge and safety.

In the U.S., the drug war has fueled unprecedented levels of mass incarceration, the brunt of which is borne by African‐American communities. The U.S. incarcerates more people for drug offenses than Western Europe incarcerates for all offenses combined. Though African‐Americans represent only 13 percent of the population, they comprise more than 40 percent of those incarcerated for drug law violations, despite similar rates of use and sales across racial and ethnic lines. This indefensible situation tears apart families and communities, leaving children vulnerable. 2.7 million children are growing up in U.S. households in which one or more parents are incarcerated, many of whom are for nonviolent drug offenses. These children are forced to live apart from their parents because of the inhumane commitment to incarceration the country has embraced for more than 40 years.

In the face of this spiraling tragedy that continues to disproportionately consume the lives and futures of black and brown children, it is imperative to end the nefarious militarization and mass incarceration occurring in the name of the war on drugs. So often, repressive drug policies are touted as measures to protect the welfare of our children, but in reality, they do little more than serve as one great big Child Endangerment Act.

On behalf of the children, it is time to rethink the war on drugs.

Click here to see the civil rights, immigration, criminal justice, racial justice, human rights, libertarian and religious organizations that signed on to this letter.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.