Obama drops 'war on drugs' rhetoric for needle exchanges

[dbackjon]

The Obama administration signalled today that it was ready to repudiate the prohibition and "war on drugs" approach of previous presidents, and steer policy towards prevention and "harm reduction" strategies favoured by Europe.

David Johnson, an assistant secretary of state, said the new administration would embrace policies supporting federally funded needle exchanges. The aim, he said, was to establish a policy based on public health needs. "This will result in a policy that is broader and stronger than the one we had in the past," Johnson said on the sidelines of a UN drug strategy conference in Vienna.

His words come days after the nomination of the Seattle police chief, Gil Kerlikowske, to the post of director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the nation's drug czar. Kerlikowske has built a reputation in Seattle for pursuing drug policies based on harm reduction. The state has an established needle exchange programme, has legalised marijuana for medicinal purposes and has made marijuana among the lowest priorities for law enforcement.

In a further sign of a new approach in Washington, congressional committee hearings last week heard lawmakers argue for a shift in national drug policy, largely in response to the rising drug-related violence seeping into the US from Mexico.

Those hearings followed a report by the former presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, which dubbed the war on drugs a "complete failure". Ernesto Zedillo, César Gaviria and Henrique Cardoso, all conservative politicians, blamed the US emphasis on criminalisation for the continuing toll caused by drug trafficking, and called for an approach based on public health, including the legalisation of marijuana.

Johnson said the latest shift came as a result of a direct instruction from the new administration. "There was very much an official directive from Washington," he told Reuters. "There was no confusion whatsoever. The [switch on] needle exchange was the clear signal of that."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/ma ... e-exchange

[Appaholic]

Sounds great, but the Police Organizations and Prison Contractors will be screaming bloody murder, he's soft on crime, etc....maybe the displaced DEA (we could only hope) could be absorbed by ICE or serve some stints in Afghanistan....

[hank scorpio]

I think this is a step in the right direction, but I also think people might be expecting to much from Gil Kerlikowske. He was apposed to making marijuana among the lowest priorities for law enforcement as his time as Chief of Police.

[travelinman67]

Stats validate the war on drugs was reducing substance abuse.

Embracing drug use and initiating Federal Govt. sponsored needle exchange programs is probably one of the single WORST ideas I've heard from Washington in decades.

Good for counselors, treatment centers and the cottage industry of social service programs who prey and feed upon drug abusers, but HORRIBLE for every other American.

SMFH...VIGOROUSLY!

[AZGrizFan]

Stats validate the war on drugs was reducing substance abuse.

Embracing drug use and initiating Federal Govt. sponsored needle exchange programs is probably one of the single WORST ideas I've heard from Washington in decades.

Good for counselors, treatment centers and the cottage industry of social service programs who prey and feed upon drug abusers, but HORRIBLE for every other American.

SMFH...VIGOROUSLY!

Agreed. I guess the new motto is, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

[AZGrizFan]

Stats validate the war on drugs was reducing substance abuse.

Embracing drug use and initiating Federal Govt. sponsored needle exchange programs is probably one of the single WORST ideas I've heard from Washington in decades.

Good for counselors, treatment centers and the cottage industry of social service programs who prey and feed upon drug abusers, but HORRIBLE for every other American.

SMFH...VIGOROUSLY!

[Appaholic]

ROI fellas...ROI....

[OL FU]

With all the talk about which war we have lost and which one we have won or might win, it should be unanimous that this one is lost. Time to re-think the entire issue.

[dgreco]

Stats validate the war on drugs was reducing substance abuse.

Embracing drug use and initiating Federal Govt. sponsored needle exchange programs is probably one of the single WORST ideas I've heard from Washington in decades.

Good for counselors, treatment centers and the cottage industry of social service programs who prey and feed upon drug abusers, but HORRIBLE for every other American.

SMFH...VIGOROUSLY!

quoted for truth and not much else to add.

[Grizalltheway]

Stats validate the war on drugs was reducing substance abuse.

Embracing drug use and initiating Federal Govt. sponsored needle exchange programs is probably one of the single WORST ideas I've heard from Washington in decades.

Good for counselors, treatment centers and the cottage industry of social service programs who prey and feed upon drug abusers, but HORRIBLE for every other American.

SMFH...VIGOROUSLY!

I realize I'm opening Pandora's Box here, but I'd love to see some of these stats...