Sign the Resolution for a Federal
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DRCNet Library | Schaffer Library | The Drug Legalization Debate
Introductory Pointers 2
Chapter 1: Addiction Rates 3
Summary Sheet 8
Chapter 2: Crime and Drug
Legalization 11
Summary Sheet 16
Chapter 3: Experience of Foreign
Countries 19
Great Britain 19
Netherlands 21
Switzerland 22
Spain 23
China 23
Japan 23
Other Countries 23
Summary Sheet 25
Chapter 4: Economics of Drug
Legalization 29
Summary Sheet 32
Chapter 5: Lessons of
Prohibition and Drug Legalization 35
Summary Sheet 38
Chapter 6: Role of Alcohol and Tobacco
in the Drug Legalization Debate 41
Summary Sheet 43
Chapter 7: Medical Uses of Presently
Illegal Drugs 45
Summary Sheet 51
Chapter 8: Individual Right and the
Legalization of Drugs 55
Summary Sheet 57
Chapter 9: Legal Issues Surrounding the
Legalization of Drugs 59
Summary Sheet 61
Chapter 10: Environmental Issues 63
Summary Sheet 64
Chapter 11: "Anything is Better
than What We Are Doing Now", Hopelessness, Drug Control, and
Potential Solutions 65
Summary Sheet 68
Appendix 1: How to Debate the Issue 71
Bibliography 73
May 12, 1994
Dear Friends,
Law enforcement has a responsibility to be involved in the prevention of all illegal or harmful activities. At this time in our nation's history, there is no crime problem of graver consequence than the drug problem. While law enforcement acts as a deterrent to drug abuse and drug trafficking, we know that the long-term answer to the drug problem goes beyond traditional law enforcement actions.
In 1987, the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a drug prevention and education program when Special Agents were assigned as Demand Reduction Coordinators in each of the agency's 19 field divisions. With limited resources they have provided support, assistance and training to grassroots organizations. Many requests are for information on the issue of drug legalization.
Lee P. Brown, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy stated in the 1993 Interim National Drug Control Strategy, "Drug use among our nation's youth has dropped since its peak in 1985 and 1986, prompting some to conclude that the drug problem, if not over, is no longer a crisis. This conclusion is as dangerous as it is wrong. The loss of public focus has also allowed the voices of those who would promote legalization to ring more loudly and be heard more clearly. The declines thus far in the use of drugs are in part because they are illegal. Legalization is a formula for self-destruction. The [Clinton] Administration is unequivocally opposed to any 'reform' that is certain to increase drug use."
S/A Tom Pool has compiled and edited a list of the most common arguments used by proponents of drug legalization. These arguments fall into eleven general areas, hence the eleven chapters in the attached manual. These arguments are analyzed and information is provided to defeat these arguments.
This manual will be revised and expanded. I solicit the readers to assist us by submitting comments, position papers, research, and documented sources of information to:
S/A Tom Pool - Demand Reduction Coordinator
Drug Enforcement Administration
220 West Mercer Street, Suite 104
Seattle, WA 98119
Tel: (206) 553-5443
I hope that this "debate manual" will prove useful to the police officers, parents, teachers, and others faced with the myths and misconceptions of drug legalization.
Raymond J. McKinnon
Special Agent in Charge
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DRCNet Library | Schaffer Library | The Drug Legalization Debate