Auburn, AL: Most American economists believe that current drug prohibition strategies are ineffective, and favor liberalizing American drug policies, according to a study published in the April issue of the journal Econ Journal Watch.
The study’s author writes: “There does seem to be broad … consensus on three general matters. First, most economists found the current policy to be somewhat ineffective, very ineffective, or harmful. Second, most economists agree that the current policy should be changed. Third, most economists agree that the policy should be changed in the general direction of liberalization. Disagreement is generally based on the direction and degree of liberalization, [including] … downsizing of the drug war, decriminalization, reallocation from criminal prosecution to treatment, qualified or limited legalization, sin taxes, and outright legalization.”
A previous opinion survey of economists in 1995 found 58 percent to be in favor of changing policy in the general direction of decriminalization.
A 2001 economic analysis of American drug policy by the National Resource Council determined that America spends twice as much money annually to combat illegal drugs as it spent fighting the Persian Gulf War, yet there is no evidence indicating that existing policies are either working or cost-effective. “It is unconscionable for this country to continue to carry out a public policy of this magnitude and cost without any way of knowing whether, and to what extent, it is having the desired result,” the study’s author concluded.
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of the NORML Foundation at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, entitled “Prohibition vs. Legalization: Do Economists Reach a Conclusion on Drug Policy?” is available online at:
http://www.econjournalwatch.org