The war on drugs is a very volatile subject in todays society. In watching a TED Talks with Ethan Nadelmann about ending the war on drugs it further reinforces many citizens beliefs that it has failed american society and needs to end.
Ethan gave numerous facts to back up his stance on how the drug war has failed. He stated that the war was started based on fear. Chinese immigrants who came to work on the railroads back in the early 1900’s sometimes after work would smoke opiates. This lead to the fear that “respectable” white women were being seduced into a life prostitution and debauchery. Ethan Nadelmann also pointed out that if young black men were the prime users of Viagra and older white men used cocaine that cocaine would be legal while Viagra would be criminalized.
Taxpayer dollars were also another point of discussion. Rather than american taxpayers dollars going to further fight the war on drugs they can be used for other means such as education or our nation's infrastructure. Ethan also pointed out the hypocrisy that alcohol that causes numerous deaths each day is legal while marijuana is not.
Some of the questions brought up were Is legalization the answer? A great example used was New Zealand and their stance to regulate and control drugs rather than criminalize them. He also pointed out that since these changes drug abuse, overdoses, and addictions have all lowered.
In conclusion this talk kept me engaged while painting a vivid picture on why the drug war is failing. Using humor, and facts Ethan Nadelmann kept his audience enthralled with his talk and hopefully sueded opinions that throwing everyone who is caught with a joint or blunt be locked away in the prison industrial complex.
Source:
http://www.ted.com/talks/ethan_nadelmann_why_we_need_to_end_the_war_on_drugs#t-333554
Ethan had some really interesting views. I thought you did a really good job going over the main points of Ethan's presentation in your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou had some very good points in your discussion especially when it came down to how the tax payers money will be spent.
ReplyDeleteHey Cory I also do not believe enough has been done with the war on drugs. If marijuana is legalized it would cut down on policing costs. And drug costs should lower reducing crime & violence related to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. This is a topic I'm very interested in as well. I would recommend this book if you haven't already. It expands on some of the topics Ethan Nadelmann talks about.
ReplyDeletehttp://newjimcrow.com/
Thanks for the recommendation I will check it out.
DeleteGood report, this topic will always open up good discussion.
ReplyDelete