White House Czar Calls for End to 'War on Drugs'

[tridim]

Kerlikowske Says Analogy Is Counterproductive; Shift Aligns With Administration Preference for Treatment Over Incarceration

By GARY FIELDS

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting "a war on drugs," a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.

In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation's drug issues.

"Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," he said. "We're not at war with people in this country."

Mr. Kerlikowske's comments are a signal that the Obama administration is set to follow a more moderate -- and likely more controversial -- stance on the nation's drug problems. Prior administrations talked about pushing treatment and reducing demand while continuing to focus primarily on a tough criminal-justice approach.

The Obama administration is likely to deal with drugs as a matter of public health rather than criminal justice alone, with treatment's role growing relative to incarceration, Mr. Kerlikowske said.

More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124225891527617397.html

[skipos]

1. it's a start. nt

[Rex]

2. Well that is a much better approach.

nt

[John Q. Citizen]

3. All right, that's progress. That makes me proud of my campaign work and my vote.

GObama!

[Adsos Letter]

4. Excellent! Next step...legalize marijuana...save the jail space for the violent offenders.

[DCKit]

7. Violent offenders? Hell, we need space for bankers, brokers and other financial scammers.

You know, the ones who've done real, widespread damage to a vast number of people and damaged the worldwide economy to the tune of trillions of dollars.

And without all the pot smokers taking up space, we won't need so many for-profit private facilities. On second thought, try getting that past their beneficiaries in Congress who have been the beneficiaries of "Teh War on Weed" for decades.

[immoderate]

5. I'll believe it whe I see it.

Like the article says, we've heard this before.

--imm

[w4rma]

6. Very awesome. (nt)

[Kaleko]

8. This must be the dawning of the age

of common sense.

Boy, it's been a long time coming.

[struggle4progress]

9. We've heard people advocate this for decades. Maybe we can start savin money by followin

that advice

[MagickMuffin]

10. This chart explains a lot

While Marijuana has stayed rather steady, the "harder" drugs have pretty much flatlined. So, I guess that should be a good indication how well the WOD's has played out over the years.

We definitely need a new approach to the so called WOD's. I personally have a problem with an either or option, but I suppose treatment is WAY better than incarceration.

Even the past "Drug Czar" Barry McCaffrey has stated that his "concern is with the 6th thru 12 graders, but if you are a 40 y.o. growing 12 Marijuana plants in the back of your cabin, Knock Yourself Out!"

http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/2009/03/16.html


edit: typo

[Fumesucker]

11. Does everyone who drinks a beer need "treatment"?

Pot smokers seldom need treatment, far less often even than those who drink beer, and not every user of every other "drug" needs treatment either, any more than every person who drinks a beer needs treatment.

But that is what we are going to be sold, any "drug" other than alcohol or nicotine and you need "treatment".

What a windfall for the folks who provide treatment.

Just because the message changes doesn't mean the new message is the correct one.

[Turborama]

12. A step in the right direction K&R

[Beam Me Up]

13. End the black market opium/heroin/coca trade = DEFUND THE TERRORISTS

and other criminal syndicates.