Obama: 'Drug legalisation not the answer to drug war'

[Ave07]

US President Barack Obama has said that legalising drugs is not the answer to the problems caused by the trafficking of illegal narcotics in the Americas.

Mr Obama told a gathering of leading executives in Colombia ahead of the Summit of the Americas that legalisation could worsen the problem.

But he said that he was open to a debate about the issue.

The US president was responding to demands by regional leaders for a new drug war strategy.

On Friday, Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina told BBC Mundo that the current strategies against drug trafficking were making the war on drugs unwinnable.

"We call for a responsible, serious dialogue in which we scientifically analyse what is happening with the war on drugs", he said.

Divisive issue

President Obama said the answer to the increasing power of drug cartels in the hemisphere was to encourage societies with strong economics, rule of law, and a sound law enforcement infrastructure.

"I personally and my administration's position is that legalisation is not the answer, that in fact if you think about how it would end up operating, the capacity of a large-scale drug trade to dominate certain countries, if they were allowed to operate legally without any constraint could be just as corrupting, if not more corrupting than the status quo," he said.

He was speaking hours before the leaders of more than 30 countries in the Western Hemisphere met at the Convention Centre in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Americas Summit.

The summit's official theme is "connecting the Americas" but the host, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, and other regional leaders have expressed their desire to discuss a new strategy in the war on drugs.

President Obama's arrival in Cartagena on Friday was overshadowed by news that around a dozen US Secret Service agents had been recalled from the city amid allegations of misconduct, with reports suggesting accusations of prostitution had been levelled against at least one of the agents.

On Saturday, the US military confirmed five of its members staying at the same hotel in Colombia may have been involved in misconduct as well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17716926

Thoughts on this statement by president Obama?

[Shadowmelded]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17716926

Thoughts on this statement by president Obama?

Not sure if he's pandering or if this is just further proof that Obama is centre right, even by non-EU standards.

[Clevername]

Lot of government jobs and spending tied to War on Drugs. Me, I'm for legalization and taxation not like it matters though both Romney and Obama are going to keep the War on Drugs pumping.

[Sorensen]

Depends on the drug, and how you legalize it. Many times people will purchase something at a higher price if there is a much more convenient way to obtain it. If people could get currently illegal drugs like they do cigarettes and alcohol, they probably would, and then the government could tax and regulate it, and it could be grown in the US if possible and imported through regular channels if not.

[Shoridayo]

They need to stop with this War on drugs bullshit. Save us the money, and regulate. (Regulating in turn = massive profits.)
Anyone who tries to say otherwise is simply stupid.

[Deleted]

From an US point of view, it is no great problem as the countries who really suffer from the cartels are Mexico, Colombia and Central American states, so Obama doesn't see a reason to change much. Even if he personally believed different, he would not dare to say as it would be a perfect cause for the Republican party (except Paul and other outsiders) to start a shitstorm against Obama. So Mexico, Colombia and other states suffering from the current states must unite first, adopt a common plan, then they can start negotiating with the USA.

[Thetalisker]

"We call for a responsible, serious dialogue in which we scientifically analyse what is happening with the war on drugs"
Epic stuff, when everyone knows it's a complete failure and will never ever contribute to a solution. And I wonder what will happen if that responsible, serious dialogue will come to the same conclusion - will he act on the facts?

[Deleted]

Kinda odd that they still do this, as my country (the Netherlands) has pretty much proven that is far more succesful to legalize drugs if you want to counter them.....
Probably the republican pressure.

@Hurax: By legalizing it, its much easier to control drugs. If you know to the shops, you can check them, you can also find out easily abou their sources. You can ban the really bad drugs (coke and heroine) and just allow the "soft" drugs.

[Shadowmelded]

will he act on the facts?

Lol, oh you... Since when have facts ever played a role in this? Remember, reefer makes you lazy and/or a communist.

[Zathrendar]

This particular war on sanity lines too many pockets for it to end any time soon, no matter how counter-productive, immoral and inane it is. Obama is a shill for those who fund him and too addicted to power to act otherwise.

[Maharishi]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17716926

Thoughts on this statement by president Obama?

He really can't say anything else in an election year, sadly.

[Shadowmelded]

@Hurax: By legalizing it, its much easier to control drugs. If you know to the shops, you can check them, you can also find out easily abou their sources. You can ban the really bad drugs (coke and heroine) and just allow the "soft" drugs.

What he meant was, the bigger problems like cartels and all the bad things that come from that (Mexico being practically run by them for example) are taking place in Mexico, Colombia and Central America. Until they band together to exert some pressure (which is unlikely given the amount of corruption) the USA won't really need to make any drastic changes to their drug policies.

[Clevername]

He really can't say anything else in an election year, sadly.

What leads you to believe he would say otherwise in a non election year since he hasn't really made any steps towards legalization in the past 3 years.

[Rend Blackhand]

Well the drug cartels wouldn't be bribing officials and executing people who rat them out if it was a legitimate business, They wouldn't have to keep everything secret. I think the real reason that the cartels are brutal is because their operations are illegal and they want to keep them running. If it were all legal then the cartels have no need for thugs, guns or violence.

[Shadowmelded]

What leads you to believe he would say otherwise in a non election year since he hasn't really made any steps towards legalization in the past 3 years.

Still holding out for him to become super progressive in his second term with no worries about re-election. Although given how he's been a lot more pro-active in this war on drugs than even Bush was, I'm basically just in denial :<

[Maharishi]

What leads you to believe he would say otherwise in a non election year since he hasn't really made any steps towards legalization in the past 3 years.

You're right that a president endorsing the idea of legalization at any time is political suicide. However, it's amplified in an election year. I was speaking more to the fact that, even if he believed legalization was a good idea, he could not pursue it. I'm not attempting to be an apologist, just pointing out we're still a ways away from a major political candidate being able to come out pro-legalization.

[Eldrad]

I do not use drugs. Have never used drugs, and never will use drugs.

Therefore I'm sure my opinion is biased when I say that most people wanting drugs legalized are drug users.
My opinion of drug users are that they are all losers in some way or another... even successful ones.
That you have to have a drug to help you cope or just live in this world tells me you are weak.
I have no respect for drug users.

Futhermore, if drugs were legal, I think we could safely say that their use would increase, right?
I don't want to be living and driving in a world where a large part of the population is driving around and operation machinery while they are under the influence of some sort of mind altering drug.

I can't see how every sane person doesn't share that opinion.

On a lighter note, I should have proof read this, it looks like I typed up while under the influence of drugs... leaving as is for the laughs.

[conscript]

He really can't say anything else in an election year, sadly.

He can't really say anything else as long as half the country (roughly) is stoically opposed to drugs, gays, etc. You have to always be non-committal about the hot button issues or you are an extremist. The real statement should be "Drug legalization isn't the answer until we find a way to tax it" because we all know that that is the reason the extremely dangerous drug marijuana isn't legal in the US but alcohol and tobacco are which result in more deaths and more health care burden in a single year than marijuana has ever. They can tax cigarettes and booze. They can't tax homegrown weed, yet. If they can find a way to have private companies produce, package, and sell pot you can bet your ass it would be legal and championed by both sides of the political divide.

[n1ck301]

I do not use drugs. Have never used drugs, and never will use drugs.

Therefore I'm sure my opinion is biased when I say that most people wanting drugs legalized are drug users.
My opinion of drug users are that they are all losers in some way or another... even successful ones.
That you have to have a drug to help you cope or just live in this world tells me you are weak.
I have no respect for drug users.

Futhermore, if drugs were legal, I think we could safely say that their use would increase, right?
I don't want to be living and driving in a world where a large part of the population is driving around and operation machinery while they are under the influence of some sort of mind altering drug.

I can't see how every sane person doesn't share that opinion.

Because we wouldn't have measures similar to alcohol legislation to prevent those things. Also alcohol is legal so you can say the same thing about it and if you've ever once been drunk or even buzzed you're a hypocrite. Also have you ever used caffeine to cope with the world? To get up after a long night? If you have you've used a drug.

[A dot Ham]

Well obama didn't really say anything at all.

to sum it up he said...

"We don't think creating legislation (laws) is the answer."

"On the flip side the lack of legislation (laws) is a bad idea too."

Its just a lot of double-talking, he might as have kept his mouth shut, because he clearly didn't have nothing worthwhile to say or contribute.

The "war on drugs" has been fail from day 1.

Originally the "war on drugs" started with Nixon. Hippies were protesting, which was creating a huge problem, but its free speech and there wasn't a whole lot he could do about it. But hippies were doing copious amounts of drugs. "Hey I have an idea, lets make those substances illegal." Crack down on drugs... get rid of hippies.

The "war on drugs" strategy since then has been to go after suppliers (not users) which is also fail, and here is why. Reducing the supply causes drug prices to rise. The higher price encourages MORE suppliers to enter the market because the potential profit outweighs potential consequences.

If you are going to go after anyone... it needs to be the users.

I personally take a very libertarian stand on this subject, and think people should be allowed to do what they want to their bodies including the use of any substance they so choose.

Now I understand that poses another problem as MOST crimes committed can be tied to being drug related in some shape or form. But if the internet has taught us anything its this... "Baddies gonna be bad!"