The war on drugs: Is there another way?

"The United Nations should exercise its leadership, as is its mandate … and conduct deep reflection to analyze all available options, including regulatory or market measures, in order to establish a new paradigm that prevents the flow of resources to organized crime organizations."

President Santos of Colombia, President Calderon of Mexico, and President Molina of Guatemala, Statement to the General Assembly of the United Nations, October 2012.

For over 50 years the war on drugs has dominated drug policy. As detailed by the Count the Costs initiative, this punitive approach has failed to achieve its stated goals, instead generating huge costs. Released today, the latest Count the Costs briefing outlines possible alternatives to the disastrous war on drugs.

This need to explore alternatives is now being acknowledged at the highest levels. Where once global leaders were silent on the need for reform, they are now speaking out. Earlier this month, three incumbent presidents – of Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala – took their call to explore alternative approaches to the United Nations, the very institution that enforces the global war on drugs. This was a historic step.

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