What are proposed solutions to ending the war on drugs in America?

The term “The War on Drugs” was popularized by the media when President Nixon gave a press conference in 1971 in which he declared drug abuse “public enemy number one.” In 2011, the Global Commission on Drug Policy reported that “the War on Drugs Has Failed.” In 2012, the U.S. Government released an updated drug policy, distinguishing it from previous “War on Drugs” policies. The new approach is based on a huge investment in research...

The term “The War on Drugs” was popularized by the media when President Nixon gave a press conference in 1971 in which he declared drug abuse “public enemy number one.” In 2011, the Global Commission on Drug Policy reported that “the War on Drugs Has Failed.” In 2012, the U.S. Government released an updated drug policy, distinguishing it from previous “War on Drugs” policies. The new approach is based on a huge investment in research from the world’s leading scholars in substance abuse. The updated policy is not looking toward drug legalization as a simple fix to drug control. The new policy further differentiates itself from previous methods by refusing to measure success through incarceration numbers. Today, the Drug Policy Alliance advocates for an end to the War on Drugs, estimating that the U.S. spends $51 billion annually in these efforts.

Current solutions are focused on a balanced approach that restricts drug trafficking and assists individuals struggling with substance abuse. The following are some proposed solutions: reduce deaths caused by opiate overdose by providing easy access to naloxone, identify healthcare providers over-prescribing opiate painkillers, improve drug abuse prevention and education, establish clear medical guidelines for treating chronic pain, include drug abuse screening in routine healthcare, and increase access to drug treatment programs.